Marlins Hire Dillon Lawson as Hitting Coach
Lawson's 'hit strikes hard' philosophy arrives as the club looks to add power to a fast, speedy offense.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Baseball
Miami Marlins fans get a new hitting coach to shape the 2027 lineup: the team named Dillon Lawson its hitting coach, a hire built on an aggressive approach that the club hopes can lift an offense that finished the 2026 season with 168 home runs, 23rd in the Majors.
Why it matters
The Marlins' offense ran fast and hit for gaps in 2026, leading the Majors in triples and ranking near the top in steals, but power ranked 23rd, so the new hitting coach's work will shape how the lineup scores runs at loanDepot park. Whether the approach changes depends on the personnel the front office brings in.
The 2026 Marlins led the Majors' upper tier in triples with 37 and ranked fourth in stolen bases with 163, while their 168 home runs ranked 23rd. Nine Marlins hit double-digit home runs, a franchise record tie, but the club's overall power output still trailed much of the league.
The players
Dillon Lawson
Marlins' newly named hitting coach, whose philosophy centers on hitting strikes hard.
Joe Migliaccio
Marlins director of hitting who is working again with Lawson.
Chris Hess
Marlins assistant hitting coach who is working again with Lawson.
The details
The Marlins named Dillon Lawson their hitting coach, a move the organization announced this week. Lawson's hitting philosophy centers on the strategy 'hit strikes hard.' Since joining the organization in July as a roving hitting coach, he has observed position players in person and on video, and he met with Florida-based players Otto Lopez, Joe Mack and Owen Caissie this offseason. He has reunited with director of hitting Joe Migliaccio and assistant hitting coach Chris Hess, and he previously worked with the Astros, Yankees and Red Sox.
Timeline
2016-18: Lawson served as a Minor League hitting coach in the Astros organization.
2019-23: Lawson coached with the New York Yankees.
2025-26: Lawson coached with the Boston Red Sox.
July 2026: Lawson joined the Marlins as a roving hitting coach.
November 5, 2026: The Marlins named Lawson hitting coach.
Beyond the 305
The Marlins' 2026 offense was built on speed, with 163 stolen bases and 37 triples, but ranked 23rd with 168 home runs. Lawson's 'hit strikes hard' approach is an attempt to add power to that speed-driven group.
For Marlins fans heading into next season, the offense may look different at the plate, with the hitting approach and roster changes shaping how games are played at loanDepot park. Expect the team's run production to depend on whether the power numbers improve from last year's 23rd-place finish.
The takeaway
The key point for Miami fans is that the Marlins are betting a new hitting coach can turn their speed into more power. Watch the offseason roster moves, since the personnel added will determine how much of Lawson's approach reaches the lineup.
Further reading
For more on the team's season and roster moves, see Baseball coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by MLB.
