​In a significant move aimed at revitalizing their struggling offense, the Colorado Rockies have dismissed hitting coach Hensley Meulens following a dismal start to the 2025 MLB season, where the team holds the worst record in the Majors at 3-15, and most recently finished 0-6 on their road trip. The team has appointed former manager Clint Hurdle as the new hitting coach, marking his return to the Rockies’ dugout.​

We have relieved hitting coach Hensley Meulens of his duties. Special Assistant to the GM, Clint Hurdle, has been named hitting coach for the remainder of the season.

— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) April 17, 2025

Meulens is relieved after joining the Rockies after the 2022 season. Best known for his work as the hitting coach for the San Francisco Giants during their World Series runs, Meulens was tasked with helping the Rockies to overcome their strikeout tendencies and develop back into an offensive and fundamental force at the plate. However, through his three seasons, the Rockies have continually struggled, especially in the strikeout department, as they have led the National League in the last two seasons and have the highest total in 2025 at 195.

Their team-wide batting line of .220/.285/.344 translates to a 65 wRC+, also worst in the majors, while the team has seen their power diminish, their walks decline, and this season holds the highest swing rate on pitches in the zone but has the lowest contact along with the highest chase rate. After being shut out in three consecutive games and setting a new franchise record for scoreless innings (32), it seemed only a matter of time before a change needed to be made with the club.

“We haven’t produced offensively,” Rockies general manager Bill Schmidt said. “It’s been a struggle so far. We’re looking to change the voice a little bit here with Clint. And I have nothing but respect for “Bam Bam” [Meulens], his work ethic and his knowledge as a baseball person. I wish him nothing but the best. We just needed to change direction a little bit with the offense to get it going.”

The Rockies have understandably been in a rough patch as they try to rebuild, and while it’s easy to place their faults on young, experienced players and underperforming veterans, the role of the hitting coach is to help the offense develop a plan and execute that plan to improve. There have been slight improvements among some players, but not enough to counteract the systemic failures of the organizations.

The team now puts its hope on Hurdle.

Hurdle, 67, managed the Rockies from 2002-09, going 534-625 and most notably leading the Rockies to the World Series in 2007, his only postseason appearance during his tenure. Prior to managing, Hurdle was a Rockies’ Minor League hitting coach (1994-96) and the Rockies’ hitting coach for Don Baylor, Jim Leyland, and Buddy Bell. He was also the hitting coach for the Texas Rangers during their 2010 run to the World Series. From 2011-19, Hurdle served as manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates, leading to the team to their first playoff appearance since 1992 in 2013. During his tenure as hitting coach with the Rockies, the offense had some excellent seasons, averaging a little over five runs per game with a .288 average.

Recently, Hurdle joined the Rockies front office as a special assistant in 2021. In that role, Hurdle traveled the minor leagues as a roving instructor and helped the scouting department. Hurdle’s appointment is seen as a move to instill a new offensive philosophy and improve the team’s performance at the plate. His familiarity with the organization and previous success may provide the leadership needed to guide the Rockies through this challenging period

The team hoped that the established players on the team would be able to make necessary improvements at the plate and while Ezequiel Tovar and Brenton Doyle have shown continued growth, injuries have hit them, along with others on the roster, leading the team to rely on younger players. Unfortunately, top hitting prospects have struggled at the big league level, including Adael Amador, Zac Veen, and Jordan Beck.

Manager Bud Black has emphasized the need for better contact hitting, stating, “We need to make better contact,” but it simply hasn’t come to fruition. By bringing in a new, yet familiar voice, the Rockies hope that they can start to change course and re-invigorate the team offensively and return to the old days of Coors Field.

The Rockies will get a first glimpse of Hurdle’s methods when they open up a three-game series against the Washington Nationals on Friday.