Mets Coaching Spotlight: Eric Hinske

By Scott Engel, The Game Day

As the Mets look to improve on offense during the rest of the season and possibly in the future, one certain presence in the dugout and around the batting cage may play a key role in more success.

Assistant hitting coach Eric Hinske, in his first season with the team, has much winning experience and can be someone for the hitters to lean on as they attempt to get on a steadier path during the remainder of the 2023 season. As a player, he was part of two World Series winners and played in a third Fall Classic, and he was also the assistant hitting coach for the World Series champion Chicago Cubs in 2016.

”It can’t hurt,” Hinske said of the championship accolades on his resume as he spoke to The Game Day.

“I’ve been a part of three, been in four, and experience is always going to help in the long run. I’m just here to impart my knowledge to these players and be part of their everyday routines.”

As a player, Hinske wore seven different uniforms from 2002 to 2013, and he was the American League Rookie of the Year for the Toronto Blue Jays in 2002. He worked as an outfielder and first baseman and came to the Mets knowing how to handle New York, as he was part of the last Yankees championship team in 2009.

“The New York environment is what it is, you know?” he said with a smile. “They expect winning.”

The 45-year-old is with his fourth organization as a coach and maintains that wearing the Mets uniform is something special to him, as he is well aware of the history of the organization and what the team means to many New Yorkers.

“It’s an honor, to be honest with you,” he said of getting the opportunity to join the Mets staff.  “You know where you are for sure and the history that comes along with the organization.”

After a year away from Major League Baseball, Hinske said he relished the chance to become part of the mix in Queens.

“I was excited to get back in the game. It was my first time, last year not working in 20 years, so I was excited to be back, be in this city. This is the best city in the world,” he said.

Hinske’s coaching career began after the 2013 season when, after a month as a Yankees scout, the Cubs lured him away to join their staff as a first base coach.

“Theo Epstein called me and stole me away from the Yankees, and I became a coach with the Cubs. I was good with younger guys as I got older as a player, and I wanted to continue on with that when I was done as a player,” he said.

In late 2014, Hinske shifted to the role of assistant hitting coach for Chicago, and was part of a World Series winner as part of the staff of the legendary 2016 Cubs team. He later went on to become the hitting coach for the Los Angeles Angels and was an assistant hitting coach for the Arizona Diamondbacks before his season away from the game in 2022.

With the Mets, Hinske works in tune with hitting coach Jeremy Barnes, and they have taken on complementary roles. Hinske’s extensive time in the Majors as a player provides one perspective, while Barnes sees the game through a rather different lens.

“He’s a super smart dude, very educated, and very analytical,” Hinske said.

“I feel like we’re kind of yin and yang from that standpoint. I can talk that language, but he’s really good at it. I want to be in the fire with the guys every day and bring my playing experience to the cage every day.”

Barnes, who did play in the Philadelphia Phillies organization and as a professional in Australia, said Hinske’s MLB track record is what sets him apart between the two as the team plans daily and works though games on the New York stage.

“I didn’t have that experience, so we wanted to have someone on board that has stood in the batter’s box, especially in New York City,” Barnes said. “Some guys may be more suited to my skill set that day, and some guys may be more suited for his skill set on that day.”

Hinske is always at the ballpark many hours ahead of game time, well before batting practice begins, to prepare for an upcoming game with Barnes and the Mets hitters.

“It’s a lot of cage work,” Hinske said of his role, using a home night game as an example. “I show up early and make sure we get our ducks in a row with the advance meeting and the guys start coming in the cage around 2:00 and we get them ready for batting practice.”

“We make a plan going forward every day, how to attack the day, go over advance reports, and what we’re going to do in the cage with the guys to get them ready to play.,” Hinske said of his daily responsibilities along with Barnes. “There’s different approaches against different guys and it changes from day to day.”

Barnes said Hinske has been a valuable resource for young hitters such as Francisco Álvarez and Brett Baty.

“He offers the experience,” Barnes said. “He has the perspective that I will never be able to have. He offers a tremendous amount of insight to those guys. He comes up with the routines, talks through the situations and the emotions of the game.”

When dealing with veteran players, Hinske said he is willing to sit back and stay ready for when the hitters want to talk things through with them.

“I’m not trying to tweak those guys at all,” Hinske said. “I’m just here to be a part of their everyday routine and be a face that they see at the cage every day. If we do anything different with them, we’ll talk about our plans.”

When Hinske is not at the ballpark, he is watching the NFL, playing fantasy football, and listening to heavy metal, with Slipknot being his favorite current band. He is also well-known in MLB circles for his impressive tattoos, one of which covers his back and is inspired by Japanese art.

“My tattoos are part of the journey,” Hinske said. “I was getting tattooed as a player for 10 years in the offseason. I was winning baseball games, winning championships, and making money.”

Hinske is also an intense fantasy football competitor.  He formed and runs a highly competitive league that includes many former MLB players, including David Wright. The iconic Mets captain joined the league when the two were still active players.

A native of Menasha, Wisconsin, Hinske is also a dedicated Packers fan. He finds it quite intriguing that he now works in the same tri-state area with a former Green Bay quarterback.

“Of course, I love Aaron Rodgers,” Hinske said. “It was tough to see him leave. It’s cool to be in the same city as him for sure, but I’m a Packers fan at heart.”