News - Shawn O’Malley Joins Nationals as Assistant Hitting Coach

In an exciting update for Washington Nationals fans, the team has unveiled its complete coaching roster for the 2026 season, spotlighting Shawn O'Malley's debut as an assistant hitting coach. Shawn O'Malley, now stepping into the major league realm, started his baseball journey as a player with a tenure in the major leagues from 2014 to 2016. Following a diverse playing career, mainly recognized for his role as a switch-hitting utility man, O'Malley transitioned to coaching and quickly ascended the ranks within Seattle’s minor league system, eventually showcasing his coaching acumen at the Triple-A level by 2024. Alongside O'Malley, the Nationals' hitting department will be enriched by the contributions of Andrew Aydt and Matt Borgschulte, whose appointments were confirmed in late 2025. With Blake Butera at the helm as the new manager, the Nationals are gearing up for a dynamic season. Butera's staff also includes pivotal figures such as Michael Johns as bench coach, Simon Mathews as pitching coach, with Sean Doolittle assisting in that role. The bullpen operations will be overseen by Dustin Glant. On field, coaching continuity will be seen through Corey Ray and Victor Estevez as base coaches, Tyler Smarslok coordinating field strategies, Bobby Wilson directing catching activities, and Grant Anders focusing on player development. This new formation of personnel signifies a strategic investment in fostering player growth and optimizing performance, placing the Nationals in a positioned stance for the upcoming season.