New hitting coach Matt Hague excited to help Pirates find 'road maps' to success at the plate

Once the opening became official that the Pittsburgh Pirates were searching for a new hitting coach, Matt Hague didn’t just express interest. He wanted to beat them to the punch.

A former Pirates farmhand who made the Opening Day roster in 2012, Hague was energized during the interview process by the opportunity to return to the organization that drafted and developed him. He was excited for a chance to impact the offense of a club filled with “athleticism and physicality.”

“I love the thrill of being in it with the players and the organization to take that next step. It seems from all my conversations, everybody wants that,” Hague said Thursday on a video conference call. “That’s what I found, myself, I tend to thrive on and really stimulate my brain on, how to create those road maps with those guys. That’s extremely appealing.

“Also, my playing experience here with the Pirates, when it was popping and we were in the playoffs and kind of seeing that environment come alive, it’s extremely enticing on my end. Even understanding the starting points and what the Pirates have done before, as far as what they put into their players and what they put into the organization, it’s top-notch. All the foundation is there. It’s kind of like a now-what situation, where I tend to really enjoy myself being in that. And I like Pittsburgh, man. Pittsburgh’s great.”

How about some 2012 highlights of the new Pirates hitting coach, Matt Hague? pic.twitter.com/12OIH69bU6

— Platinum Ke’Bryan (@PlatinumKey13) November 13, 2024

The Pirates formally announced the hiring of Hague, 39, as hitting coach, one who has a reputation for being an effective communicator and embracing new methods of teaching and technology. After 11 professional seasons, Hague spent four seasons as a minor-league hitting coach in the Toronto Blue Jays system, starting in High-A, spending two seasons in Double-A and one in Triple-A before being promoted to assistant hitting coach on the major-league staff last season.

Hague replaces Andy Haines, who was fired in October after three seasons. The Pirates finished 14th (out of 15 teams) in the National League in hits, strikeouts, batting average (.234) and on-base percentage (.301) and last in slugging (.371) and OPS (.672) last season.

“We’re very excited to add Matt to our group as he adds a blend of both playing and coaching experience combined with really strong relationships,” Pirates manager Derek Shelton said in a statement. “The feedback we got from players he’s worked with previously has been outstanding. We look forward to him leading our hitting team moving forward.”

With an offense led by All-Star left fielder Bryan Reynolds and shortstop-turned-center fielder Oneil Cruz, Hague will work with assistant hitting coaches Christian Marrero and Jonny Tucker to help get the likes of Gold Glove third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes and outfielder Jack Suwinski back on track after sub-par seasons.

Hague is known for his ability to create accountability with hitters in providing identification and context in preparation. Hague is especially fond of the Trajekt robot that simulates a pitcher’s arsenal, calling it an “amazing” hitting tool. He’s also looking forward to familiarizing himself with the Hawk-Eye camera system the Pirates use to track the trajectory of a ball.

“I didn’t know I had that label, but I do take a lot of pride in it,” Hague said. “I think it stems from understanding, I was brought up in a very traditional mindset when I played, but understanding the intricacies of all the resources we have within the last five or six years.

“There’s so much out there in the hitting world on how to have that competitive advantage. So, I think one of the ideas and one of the ways to go about it is preparation for their at-bats and what they’re going to be facing. The whole goal with whatever technological side of things is to cut down the element of surprise for the players and to be extremely efficient with the technical side.”

On a personal note, Hague is looking forward to being reunited with shortstop Isiah Kiner-Falefa, who was enjoying a career year with a .292/.338/.420 slash line in 83 games with the Blue Jays before being traded to the Pirates last July. Hague said Kiner-Falefa served as a valuable resource about the Pirates during the interview process.

Hague could be coaching a former teammate if the Pirates, as expected, re-sign free agent designated hitter Andrew McCutchen this winter. They were teammates in the minor leagues and for 33 games in the majors in 2012 and ’14, when the five-time All-Star was in his prime and on his way to winning 2013 NL MVP honors.

“With Cutch, when I was his teammate, he was the MVP and he’s still doing his thing and performing at a high level,” Hague said. “It’s going to be more of a support piece. He has his beliefs that have made him extremely successful in this game. He’s accomplished so much. Just understanding with him that I’m there for him, helping him, guide him and support him with what he needs. I haven’t had much touch points with any other guys besides Izzy and Cutch. I’m looking forward to it. I guess that’s the new slate with some guys. It’s something that is thrilling in a way because you get to blend those relationships and make those new relationships and make those touch points.”