Two-thirds of MLB teams now employ an assistant hitting coach, as the Mets have become the 20th team to join the trend by adding Luis Natera to manager Terry Collins’ coaching staff.
Natera has been in the organization for two decades, including the past seven seasons as the Double-A hitting coach. They created the position for him and the timing of doing it right before Opening Day is interesting.
He’ll work under primary hitting coach Dave Hudgens, who’s in his third season with that gig for the Mets.
I picture Natera showing up to Mets camp today, saying something like “it’s great to join you guys as the assistant hitting coach!” and Hudgens interrupting to say “uh, that’s assistant to the hitting coach.” Except, unfortunately, there’s probably a strong chance Mets camp isn’t like “The Office.”
