The New York Mets are set to welcome fresh talent to their coaching staff in 2026, with notable changes in their hitting instruction team. With the departures of Eric Chavez and Eric Barnes, the team will introduce Jeff Albert, the organization’s director of hitting development, into the dugout. This change was first reported by ESPN’s Jeff Passan.
Jeff Albert, who joined the Mets in 2022, previously held significant roles with the St. Louis Cardinals and the Houston Astros, establishing a reputation for improving player performance. During his tenure as the Cardinals’ hitting coach from 2019 to 2022, he played a pivotal role in guiding Paul Goldschmidt to an MVP award in 2022. At the age of 44, Albert is expected to lead the Mets’ major league hitting program effectively.
The Mets are also focusing on enhancing their coaching staff, intending to “complement him with another hitting coach,” signaling their commitment to building a robust training environment. So far, there have been no external hires announced for Carlos Mendoza’s staff, as he prepares to lead the team into his third season as manager.
The strategic changes in the Mets’ coaching lineup reflect the team’s aspirations for improvement and competitiveness in the upcoming season. With experienced mentors like Albert stepping in, there is a sense of optimism surrounding the potential growth and development of players as they look to maximize their performance on the field.