The St. Louis Cardinals concluded the 2026 MLB season with a disappointing 77-85 record, finishing fourth in the National League Central division. Under president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom, the team is in the midst of a rebuild, seeking a return to consistent postseason play. Despite some progress from young talents like Jordan Walker, the Cardinals’ overall offensive performance remained lackluster, ranking near the bottom in major hitting metrics such as OPS and wRC+. This ongoing struggle has prompted further organizational changes aimed at improving their offensive production.

One major development is the Cardinals’ decision to part ways with hitting coach Brant Brown immediately following the season. Brown was hired in October 2024 after stints as a player with the Chicago Cubs and other teams, and prior coaching roles with the Dodgers, Marlins, and Mariners. His tenure, spanning two seasons, reflected the team’s offensive challenges as St. Louis ranked 16th in scoring and consistently placed in the bottom five nationally for key hitting statistics. This firing marks the fourth time since 2021 that the Cardinals will be searching for a new hitting coach.

Brown’s background as a former Cubs outfielder, a division rival famously disliked by Cardinals fans, added an intriguing dynamic given the historical rivalry between the two franchises. His experience across several organizations brought diverse offensive philosophies to St. Louis, but it was ultimately not enough to reverse the team’s offensive woes. Although Brown helped some young players improve, inconsistent performance persisted, leaving the front office to seek a fresh approach to developing hitters.

Looking ahead, Chaim Bloom and the Cardinals face crucial decisions as they reshape the roster and coaching staff to accelerate their competitive timeline. Bringing in a new hitting coach is one step in addressing the offense’s shortcomings, though Bloom recognizes that improving production depends on broader structural changes as well. As the Cardinals aim to build around their young core, these coaching staff adjustments reflect their commitment to creating a sustainable winning formula.