The Washington Nationals announced its finalized 2026 coaching staf this week as we dive into who they are, how they fit and how they got here
With the three main positions officially filled with Paul Toboni announced as president of baseball operations, Blake Butera as manager and Ani Kilambi as general manager, the Washington Nationals unveiled its 2026 coaching staff this week. More on who they are, how they fit and how they got here:
Grant Anders: bullpen catcher, development coach
Anders served in a similar role with the Baltimore Orioles over the last two seasons. Anders previously worked with the Orioles starting in November of 2019 as a development coach before being promoted. His role as development coach looms large in an organization featuring several young pieces in both the front office and roster, but it's one he has experience with over the last two years, making him a strong candidate for the fit.
Andrew Aydt: assistant hitting coach, assistant director of hitting
After playing at McKendree University, Aydt began his coaching career as the director of hitting analytics and programming with Mach 1 Hitting back in August 2019. A few months later, he joined Driveline Baseball Enterprises, Inc as the manager of online hitting before being promoted to assistant director of hitting beginning January of 2024. This marks his first role in the pros.
Matt Borgschulte: hitting coach
After playing at Drury University, he began his coaching career as a coach with Midwest Nationals before moving into a coaching role at his alma mater. Borgschulte then had stints as an assistant at Southeast Missouri State and Tusculum College before being named the fourth coach for the Palm Beach Cardinals, the Single-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals, in 2017. He also served as the hitting coach for the Minnesota Twins from 2017 to 2021 before taking a similar role with the Baltimore Orioles in November of 2021. Borgschulte rejoined the Twins in October before heading to Washington DC.
Sean Doolittle: assistant pitching coach
An expected move after Paul Toboni confirmed Doolittle will remain with the Nationals despite the organization firing manager Dave Martinez and president of baseball operations Mike Rizzo midway through the 2025 season. Doolittle ended his career with the Nationals as a two-time All Star and a key piece in the 2019 World Series ring.
Victor Estevez: third base, infield coach
Two-time Manager of the Year in the Carolina League (2023) and Midwest League (2024) during his 13-year stint as a manager within the Milwaukee Brewers' system, joining the organization with ten years of minor league managing experience. Estevez, who previously played four seasons in the Diamondbacks' system, has led his team to a .500 finish or better in six consecutive seasons.
Dustin Glant: assistant pitching, bullpen coach
Glant joins the Nationals after four seasons as the associate head coach and pitching coach at Indiana University where the Hoosiers became one of the nation's best strikeout programs in the country. Indiana recorded three highest single-season strikeout marks from 2022 to 2024 while Glant produced nine draft picks during his tenure.
Michael Johns: bench coach
Johns joins the organization after serving as the first base coach for the Tampa Bay Rays over the last two seasons. He also joins with nearly 20 years of coaching experience, serving as the manager of Triple-A Durham in 2023, one of several manager roles across the minor leagues over the last decade. Johns led Durham to the 2023 International League Championship Series and led Charlotte to the 2015 Florida State League championship.
Simon Matthews: pitching coach
After playing at Georgetown and playing in the Los Angeles Angels' minor league system, Matthews began his coaching career with the Cincinnati Reds where he worked for nearly five years, first as assistant pitching coordinator rehab and pitching initiatives before moving into an assistant pitching coach role last season.
Shawn O'Malley: assistant hitting coach
After a 13 year career in the minor leagues, O'Malley now joins the organization in his first coaching role in the major leagues. He appeared in 124 games from 2014 to 2016 before transitioning into coaching, filling in as the minor league hitting instructor for the Seattle Mariners.
Corey Ray: first base, outfield & base running coach
After being selected fifth overall in the 2016 MLB Draft, Ray was added to the Milwaukee Brewers' 40-man rotation in late November before being promoted in April of 2021 for his MLB debut. Less than two months later, he was sent back down to Triple-A before ending his playing career in 2022 and transitioning to coaching, starting as a bench coach for the Chicago Cubs' Single-A affiliate in 2023. Ray was then named manager of the Cubs' rookie-level affiliate in February of 2024.
Tyler Smarslok: field coordinator
After playing at Kean University, Smarslok joined the coaching staff before being named a defensive coach for the Minnesota Twins High-A affiliate for the next three seasons. He was then named a bench coach in 2024 then managed the Salt River Rafters in the Arizona Fall League, guiding them to a championship before being named first base coach of the Miami Marlins in 2025.
Bobby Wilson: catching coach, run game coordinator
A former catcher who spent ten years in the MLB with the Angels, Diamondbacks, Rays, Rangers, Tigers and Twins, Wilson transitioned to coaching in 2021 where he was named manager of the Frisco RoughRiders. He was then named catching coordinator in 2020 and was part of the 2023 World Series staff before departing for Washington ahead of the 2026 season.