The Seattle Mariners have reportedly brought a familiar face back into the fold, hiring CJ Gillman as a hitting coach for their 2027 big league staff, per The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal, Chandler Rome, and Spencer Nusbaum. What’s wild is the M’s felt strongly enough about Gillman to bring him on board even though the team is *still* searching for their manager for the upcoming campaign. That’s a serious statement of intent from the front office about where their focus is.
Get Ready for the ‘Do Damage’ Approach at T-Mobile Park
This isn’t just a new hire, folks. Gillman comes with a reputation and a clear philosophy: “Do Damage.” And let me tell you, it works. He spent the 2026 season as the Director of Hitting for the Washington Nationals, and what he did there was nothing short of a transformation. The Nats have been known as developmental laggards for years, but under Gillman, their big league and minor league bats took “consistent, noticeable strides forward.” We’re talking massive strides, turning that whole reputation around in just one season. If he can do that for the Nationals, imagine what he can bring to the Emerald City with our talent.
He’s Already Familiar with Our Future Stars
Here’s the kicker for us, Seattle: Gillman isn’t just some new voice. He knows our system. He spent four seasons, from 2022 to 2025, as a Minor League Hitting Coordinator right here in the Mariners organization. That means he’s already worked closely with a ton of our key prospects who are either on the big league roster now or knocking on the door. Think about it: he’s already got a rapport with guys like Cole Young, Colt Emerson, Lázaro Montes, and Michael Arroyo. That familiarity is a massive advantage. Before his Nats stint and his first go-round with us, Gillman also worked with the Cincinnati Reds in a similar minor league hitting coordinator role and even coached at his alma mater, Dayton University, and the Air Force Academy. This guy has a deep background in developing hitters, from college to indie ball, all the way up.
So yeah, we’re still waiting for the manager announcement, but bringing Gillman back feels like a huge piece of the puzzle falling into place for the M’s offense. This is a move focused squarely on getting the bats to wake up and start delivering some serious impact. Get ready, Seattle, because our bats are about to learn how to “Do Damage.”
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Lookout Landing.
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