Former Guardians Coach Has Joined Astros

The Cleveland Guardians are losing a member of their hitting development staff to an American League rival. The departure comes as the organization’s approach at the plate is under more scrutiny than at any point in recent memory. Cleveland finished the regular season 24th in the majors in runs, 26th in OPS and 27th in home runs, and the offense scored just eleven runs over the final five games of the American League Championship Series loss to the Tampa Bay Rays. Now one of the people who helped shape that approach is heading to Houston for a bigger role. The Athletic’s Chandler Rome reported that Conner Watson is joining the Astros as their new director of hitting.

Rome added that Watson previously worked at Driveline, and that he spent the past two years as Cleveland’s assistant director of hitting development.

“The Astros are hiring Conner Watson as their new director of hitting, source tells @TheAthletic. Watson, a former Driveline employee, worked as the Cleveland Guardians assistant director of hitting development for the past two years,” Rome wrote.

The Astros are hiring Conner Watson as their new director of hitting, source tells @TheAthletic. Watson, a former Driveline employee, worked as the Cleveland Guardians assistant director of hitting development for the past two years.

— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) October 25, 2026

Cleveland brought Watson into the organization in November 2024, when it announced several changes to its player development leadership. Before joining the Guardians, Watson spent three years as a hitting lead at Driveline Arizona, the data driven training center known for its work with both hitters and pitchers. Cleveland hired him in part for his approach to swing mechanics and his ability to connect with players.

For Watson, it is a clear step up. He will now lead hitting for the Astros, who are in the middle of a major transition.

Cleveland’s hitting infrastructure has drawn plenty of criticism since the season ended.

Watson’s departure does not appear to be part of a shake up, though. Stephen Vogt and president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti said last week that they expect the entire coaching staff to return in 2027, with one exception. They noted that another team could ask to interview someone for a better position. That appears to be exactly what happened here, since Watson’s new title is a promotion.

There were positive signs from Cleveland’s young hitters this season, too. Chase DeLauter led the team with a 131 OPS+ as a rookie and set a franchise record for hits by a rookie in a single postseason. Travis Bazzana made the All-Star team, and top prospect Ralphy Velazquez hit 29 home runs between Double-A and Triple-A. Even so, the organization knows the offense has to improve if it wants to take the next step.

Losing Watson gives the Guardians a chance to reshape part of their hitting staff this winter. Whoever fills the role will be stepping into an organization looking for answers at the plate.