Royals Hire Hunter Mense as Hitting Coach
Kansas City agreed to hire Mense, who most recently served as Giants hitting coach, after replacing Alec Zumwalt in the role.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Baseball
The Kansas City Royals agreed to hire Hunter Mense as their hitting coach, according to sources, though the club has not confirmed the move. Alec Zumwalt, who served five seasons as Royals hitting coach, was removed from the role at the end of the 2026 regular season and reassigned within the organization.
Why it matters
The Royals scored 690 runs in 2026, ranking 22nd in the Majors, and have finished among MLB's bottom 10 in runs scored in 10 of the past 11 years. The hitting coach change comes as the club looks to address its offensive production.
The Royals scored 690 runs in 2026, ranking 22nd in the Majors, and finished among MLB's bottom 10 in runs scored in 10 of the past 11 years. The club has not confirmed the hire, and the stub does not explain the reasons for the coaching change.
The players
Hunter Mense
Hunter Mense is a 42-year-old hitting coach and Missouri native who has worked for the Blue Jays and Giants.
Alec Zumwalt
Alec Zumwalt is a former Kansas City Royals hitting coach who held the role for five seasons before being reassigned.
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball franchise based in Kansas City, Missouri.
The details
The Royals agreed to hire Hunter Mense, 42, a Missouri native who served as Blue Jays assistant hitting coach from 2022 to 2025 and most recently as Giants hitting coach in 2026. Alec Zumwalt, who spent five seasons as Royals hitting coach, was reassigned to a different position within the organization.
Timeline
Mense served as Blue Jays assistant hitting coach from 2022 to 2025.
Mense joined the Giants' staff as hitting coach in 2026.
Zumwalt was removed as Royals hitting coach at the end of the 2026 regular season.
The Royals agreed to hire Mense, reported on November 5, 2026.
Big Picture
The Royals have ranked among MLB's bottom 10 in runs scored in 10 of the past 11 years, making the hitting coach change a response to a sustained offensive decline. The 690 runs scored in 2026 placed the club 22nd in the Majors.
The coaching change could affect the Royals' offensive output in 2027, which matters for fantasy rosters and standings projections. Fans will watch whether the club's run production improves after a season ranked 22nd in the Majors.
The takeaway
Hitting coach changes are one lever teams use when offensive production lags, but results depend on the players in the lineup. Readers can track the Royals' run-scoring totals next season to see whether the staff change translates to more runs.
Further reading
For more on the team's season and roster moves, see Baseball coverage.
