Royals Have Reassigned Hitting Coach Alec Zumwalt
The Kansas City organization moved Alec Zumwalt from the major league staff to a senior director position.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Baseball
Live Poll
Do you believe coaching staff changes typically lead to better performance for your local team?
The Kansas City Royals reassigned hitting coach Alec Zumwalt to an off-field role as senior director of hitting performance. This change comes as the team looks to move past recent offensive performance struggles.
Why it matters
The move follows a period where the Kansas City offense consistently lagged behind other major league teams in key statistical categories. It marks a significant shift in the organization's approach to hitting instruction at the major league level.
Since 2022, the Royals have maintained a 7.5% walk rate and a 20.7% strikeout rate. The team also recorded a .246 batting average and a .396 slugging percentage during this timeframe.
The players
Alec Zumwalt
He is a longtime organizational member who served as the Kansas City Royals hitting coach from 2022 until 2026.
Kansas City Royals
This is a professional baseball team based in Kansas City that competes in the American League Central division.
Matt Quatraro
He is the manager of the Kansas City Royals who recently signed a contract extension through the 2029 season.
Terry Bradshaw
He is a former major league hitting coach for the Kansas City Royals who preceded Alec Zumwalt in the role.
The details
Alec Zumwalt, who joined the organization as a scout in 2013, had served as the major league hitting coach since taking over for Terry Bradshaw in May 2022. He will now transition to an internal role focused on hitting performance.
Timeline
Alec Zumwalt was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in 1999.
Alec Zumwalt joined the Royals as a scout in 2013.
Alec Zumwalt became the major league hitting coach in May 2022.
Matt Quatraro signed a contract extension in February 2026.
The team announced the reassignment of Alec Zumwalt on September 29, 2026.
Season Trajectory
This staff change signals a clear attempt to improve offensive output to match the long-term commitment the organization made to manager Matt Quatraro. By reassigning rather than releasing Zumwalt, the team keeps his experience within the front office for the coming seasons.
The transition creates a vacancy in a critical coaching role that will likely impact the development of key hitters heading into the next season. Fans can look for an upcoming announcement regarding the new hitting coach as the organization attempts to improve its 23rd-place runs-scored ranking.
The takeaway
Organizations often reassign long-tenured staff to preserve institutional knowledge while seeking a fresh tactical approach. Fans should monitor coaching announcements this offseason as a leading indicator of potential changes to the team's hitting philosophy.
Further reading
For more updates on the roster and coaching staff, visit the Kansas City Baseball section.
Live Poll
Do you believe coaching staff changes typically lead to better performance for your local team?
