How Kansas City Royals are revamping hitting staff, offense

The Kansas City Royals have already made moves this offseason aimed at redefining their future success. They've reshaped the hitting department, while also adding two players with long-term potential.

The Royals are hoping to revamp the roster after a disappointing season in which they failed to return to the postseason. The offense was a major culprit, and they've made several offseason moves with an eye on that area.

One such change: The Royals pursued Marcus Thames as a new hitting coach. They aim to improve their team's offense by benefiting from Thames' extensive experience coaching top players like Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani. Thames joins Alec Zumwalt and Connor Dawson in a revamped group.

ANAHEIM, CA - JUNE 12: Kansas City Royals batting helmets sit on the dugout steps during the game with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on June 12, 2011 at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California. The Royals won 9-0. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

NO. 1: KC ROYALS HIRE NEW PRESIDENT OF BUSINESS OPERATIONS AHEAD OF 2026 MLB SEASON

The Kansas City Royals added to their front office Thursday, hiring Cullen Maxey as their new president of business operations. | Published November 7, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jaylon Thompson

Connor Dawson, formerly a coach in the Milwaukee Brewers organization, has been hired as a Kansas City Royals assistant hitting coach ahead of the 2026 MLB season. By Emilee Chinn/file photo

NO. 2: ROYALS HIRE HITTING COACH FROM JOCO. HE WAS WITH THE MILWAUKEE BREWERS THIS YEAR

The Kansas City Royals have hired Connor Dawson as their newest assistant hitting coach for the 2026 season. | Published November 7, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jaylon Thompson

Hitting coach Marcus Thames #62 of the New York Yankees looks on during a game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on September 24, 2019 in St Petersburg. By Mike Ehrmann

NO. 3: KC ROYALS MAKE OFFSEASON SPLASH BY ADDING MARCUS THAMES TO HITTING DEPARTMENT

The Kansas City Royals have added a familiar name to their hitting department. | Published November 10, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jaylon Thompson

Kameron Misner of the Tampa Bay Rays hit an RBI double against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the 11th inning of a game at Chase Field on April 23, 2025, in Phoenix, Arizona. The Rays defeated the Diamondbacks 7-6 in 11 innings. By Christian Petersen

NO. 4: ROYALS ACQUIRE AN OUTFIELDER WHO MADE MLB HISTORY THIS PAST SEASON

Nine years later, the Royals got their man. | Published November 10, 2025 | Read Full Story by Pete Grathoff

NO. 5: KANSAS CITY ROYALS MADE NEW FRONT-OFFICE HIRE WITH AN EYE ON THE STADIUM PROJECT

The Kansas City Royals welcomed Cullen Maxey to the organization on Monday afternoon. Maxey, who arrives from the Arizona Diamondbacks, sat adjacent to Royals owner John Sherman in the Mike Swanson interview room. | Published November 11, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jaylon Thompson

Mason Black #47 of the San Francisco Giants pitches against the Athletics during the sixth inning at Sutter Health Park on July 4, 2025 in Sacramento. By Scott Marshall

NO. 6: ROYALS WILL TAKE A CHANCE ON PITCHING PROSPECT IN TRADE WITH SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS

The Kansas City Royals continue to build roster depth with the acquisition of right-handed pitcher Mason Black from the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday. | Published November 11, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jaylon Thompson

Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers greets hitting coach Marcus Thames of the Chicago White Sox prior to a game at Camelback Ranch on February 27, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. By Christian Petersen

NO. 7: THE ROYALS PURSUED MARCUS THAMES FOR THIS REASON. IT COULD UNLOCK THE OFFENSE

The Kansas City Royals had a clear objective in mind when pursuing new hitting coach Marcus Thames this offseason. | Published November 12, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jaylon Thompson

Vinnie Pasquantino #9 of the Kansas City Royals hits a solo home run during the fourth inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field on April 12, 2025 in Cleveland. By Nick Cammett

NO. 8: ROYALS HAVE NEW-LOOK HITTING COACHING STAFF. WHY THIS EMPHASIS COULD DO WONDERS

The initial round of candidates totaled roughly a dozen, a pool of phone interviews to fill two coaching vacancies on the Royals’ hitting staff. | Published November 12, 2025 | Read Full Story by Sam McDowell

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.