4 key Pirates coaching additions that should justify their staff overhaul

Matt Hague, Hitting Coach

Ben Cherington went by the script and pulled from one of his former organizations when deciding on a new hitting coach, and it's reasonable to view just about any hire as an upgrade over Haines, but there's legitimate intrigue to what Hague brings to the table.

Recently tabbed by FanGraphs as "one of the best young hitting coaches in the game," Hague had a brief career as a player from 2012-2015 with the Pirates and Blue Jays. He burst onto the scene in spring training 2012, where he hit .400 (earning himself the nickname "The Hit Collector") and tied for the league lead in home runs with some other guys named Freddie Freeman and Albert Pujols.

Hague joined the Blue Jays' minor league coaching staff in 2020, climbing the ranks before ultimately joining the MLB staff in 2024, where he coached alongside former AL MVP Don Mattingly. His ascension through Toronto's system coincided with that of Spencer Horwitz, whom the Pirates acquired at the Winter Meetings.

Hague has also worked extensively with Pirates shortstop Isiah Kiner-Falefa, who spent the first half of 2024 with Toronto and posted by far the best offensive numbers of his career (.292/.338/.420) before fading badly after a deadline deal to Pittsburgh. Kiner-Falefa praised Hague's "really good understanding of analytics" paired with firsthand knowledge of what it takes to find success in a batter's box.

Hague has also emphasized the importance of individual work with hitters, which would run counter to the organization-wide philosophy that was previously instituted. The Pirates are hoping that this approach will unlock new levels of success out of hitters like Jack Suwinski, Henry Davis, and Ke'Bryan Hayes, which would go a long way toward the club taking a step forward in 2025.