Dave Joppie Named PawSox Hitting Coach for 2013

Dave Joppie, 47, has been promoted from the Portland Sea Dogs (AA) to become the new hitting coach for the Pawtucket Red Sox in 2013. Joppie has been the hitting coach in Portland for the past five seasons working with such notables as Josh Reddick (2008-2009), Ryan Kalish (2009-2010), Daniel Nava (2009), Jose Iglesias (2010), Ryan Lavarnway (2010-2011), Anthony Rizzo (2010), J.C. Linares (2010), Alex Hassan (2011), and Will Middlebrooks (2011). Furthermore, his 2012 Portland team featured top prospects such as outfielders Bryce Brentz (.296/17/76 in 122 games), Jeremy Hazelbaker (.273/19/64 in 114 games), Jackie Bradley, Jr. (.271/6/29 in 61 games), and infielder Xander Bogaerts (.326/5/17 in 23 games).

Joppie worked in the Athletics system from 1995-2005 before joining the Red Sox organization as the hitting coach for the Wilmington Blue Rocks (A) in 2006. He was the hitting coach for the Lancaster JetHawks (at the time a Red Sox Single-A affiliate in the California League) helping the team to a record offensive season in which they set all-time California League marks with 1,081 runs and 217 homers while leading the circuit in batting (.296), hits (1,493), and walks (672).

Dave has continued that success since coming to Portland in 2008 where he guided the Sea Dogs to the best on-base pct. in the Eastern League (.351) during his first season in Portland. His 2010 club also had the top on-base pct. in the EL (.347). The 2011 Sea Dogs were 3rd in the league in batting (.267), 1st in runs (684), doubles (298), and slugging pct. (.422) along with the 2nd best on-base pct. (.339) in the 12-team Eastern League. Last season his Portland squad overcame a tough start (8-21 through May 5 and 36-54 at the All-Star break) to go 32-19 after the break and finish 68-73. Portland batters hit .255 on the season and were 1st in the league in doubles (272) and 4th in HR (112). He spent this past fall as the hitting coach for the Surprise Saguaros of the Arizona Fall League working with Red sox prospects Bryce Brentz, Christian Vazquez, and Michael Almanzar.

Joppie was a hitting coach for numerous teams in the Oakland organization: Double-A Huntsville in 1995-96, 1998), Single-A Modesto (1997), Single-A Visalia (1999), and Double-A Midland (2001-03). He managed Single-A Vancouver of the Northwest League in 2000 and Single-A Kane County in 2004 and 2005 (all members of the Athletics' organization). In 2004 he led the Kane County Cougars to the Western Division Championship with an 83-56 record and was named both Midwest League Manager of the Year and Baseball America's Class Low-A Minor League Manager of the Year.

Dave is a Michigan native and lives in Grand Rapids, MI with his wife Jennifer and young son Casey.