MLB
Report: Cardinals Hiring Joel McKeithan as Hitting Coach
The White Sox assistant is set to replace Brant Brown after two seasons on Chicago’s staff.
The St. Louis Cardinals are hiring Joel McKeithan as hitting coach, Robert Murray of FanSided reported Wednesday. The Chicago Sun-Times independently confirmed the move with a source.
McKeithan, 35, spent the past two seasons as an assistant hitting coach with the White Sox. He previously served as Cincinnati’s assistant hitting coach and lead hitting coach, and worked in the minor leagues for the Phillies and Tigers.
He is set to replace Brant Brown, who was dismissed in October after two seasons with St. Louis, according to MLB Trade Rumors. Brown had been the only coach dismissed from manager Oli Marmol’s staff at the time of that report.
Chicago hit 211 home runs and posted a 9.5% walk rate in 2026, both fifth-best in the majors. St. Louis finished with 167 homers and an 8.3% walk rate.
McKeithan worked under Marcus Thames in 2025 and Derek Shomon in 2026. Shomon is expected to return to Chicago, the Sun-Times reported, while an external hire is considered the likeliest way to fill McKeithan’s vacancy.
