Cardinals Found a New Hitting Coach After Brant Brown’s Exit: Joel McKeithan Hired

McKeithan takes over the role

The Cardinals announced in late October that Brant Brown would not return as hitting coach for 2027. Brown held the job for the previous two seasons, and the team began looking for a replacement.

Robert Murray of FanSided reported McKeithan’s hiring, and Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch said a source confirmed it. McKeithan most recently served as the White Sox’s assistant hitting coach.

Goold also noted that McKeithan coached for the Reds and worked with Driveline before his recent years in Chicago. He said the Cardinals considered external candidates and also value their internal assistants.

A changing coaching position

St. Louis has made several changes at hitting coach in recent years. After the 2022 season, the team replaced Jeff Albert with Turner Ward; two years later, Brown took Ward’s place.

McKeithan is the Cardinals’ fourth hitting coach in the last five years. The coaching staff for 2027 is described as nearly complete, with a few possible adjustments remaining.

Offense remains the focus

The Cardinals are looking for ways to improve their offense, and the article says a new coaching approach could give hitters a chance to reset ahead of 2027. Driveline, where McKeithan worked, is a hitting lab in Arizona.

Jordan Walker spent time at Driveline last offseason before becoming an All-Star for the first time in 2026. The article also says St. Louis may seek free-agent additions, including a short-term option at third base while prospects develop.

The offseason is still young, and the team could make further changes to both its roster and coaching staff. The McKeithan hire is presented as an early step toward scoring more runs.