Detroit Tigers Announce Coaching Staff Changes
The Detroit Tigers revealed today the addition of three new members to their major league coaching staff, along with several promotions and new hires within their baseball operations department.
Cody Asche Joins as Assistant Hitting Coach
Cody Asche has been appointed as the major league assistant hitting coach. Asche spent the 2025 season as the hitting coach for the Baltimore Orioles, completing his third year with their coaching staff after two years as a strategy coach. He played five seasons in the majors with the Philadelphia Phillies (2013-2016) and the Chicago White Sox (2017). His coaching career began in 2021 as a hitting coach in Philadelphia’s minor leagues and he became a hitting coordinator for Baltimore’s minor leagues in 2022.
Billy Boyer Elevated to Major League Quality Coach
Billy Boyer has been promoted to major league quality coach after holding roles as Detroit’s minor league field coordinator and infield coordinator in 2025. The upcoming 2026 season marks Boyer’s third year in his second tenure with the organization, having previously been the infield coordinator in 2022 and spending a season as an assistant coach with the University of Washington in 2023.
Anthony Sanders as First Base Coach
Anthony Sanders has been named the major league first base coach, after serving in the same capacity for the Baltimore Orioles over the past six seasons. Before his time with the Orioles, Sanders was involved with various roles in Colorado’s minor league system since 2007, including managing and coaching. He played in the majors with the Toronto Blue Jays (1999) and Seattle Mariners (2000-2001), also earning a Gold Medal with Team USA at the 2000 Summer Olympics.
Dr. Georgia Giblin Promoted to Vice President, Health & Performance
Dr. Georgia Giblin has been elevated to Vice President, Health & Performance. In this role, she will lead the organization’s health and performance teams, ensuring a comprehensive approach to player health and development. Dr. Giblin previously held the title of Vice President, Baseball Performance Science and has been with the Tigers since 2021, originally joining as a post-doctoral fellow through a partnership with the University of Michigan.
Alex Smith Takes on Vice President, Baseball Strategy Role
Alex Smith has been appointed Vice President, Baseball Strategy, transitioning from the Chicago Cubs where he spent 11 seasons in various roles, most recently as major league strategy coach. In his new position with the Tigers, Smith will oversee baseball strategy, pro scouting and acquisitions, as well as major league advance operations.
New Directors within Baseball Operations
Christian Hook has been promoted to Director, Pitching Evaluation, focusing on comprehensive pitching evaluation across the Tigers. Brad Ciolek is named Director, International Scouting, arriving from the Washington Nationals, where he served as senior director of amateur scouting. Ciolek previously worked with the Baltimore Orioles. Additionally, Theo Hooper is now Assistant Director, Amateur Scouting, after spending the last four seasons as a major league staff assistant with the Texas Rangers.
