Joe Dillon

Joseph William Dillon (born August 2, 1975) is an American former professional baseball utility player and coach who was most recently the assistant hitting coach for the Kansas City Royals in Major League Baseball (MLB). He played in MLB for the Florida Marlins, Milwaukee Brewers, and Tampa Bay Rays, and in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Yomiuri Giants. He was an assistant hitting coach for the Washington Nationals from 2018 to 2019, before serving as the hitting coach for the Philadelphia Phillies during the 2020 and 2021 seasons.

College After graduating from Cardinal Newman High School in Santa Rosa, California in 1993, Dillon entered college at Santa Rosa Junior College and then Texas Tech University. His college baseball career with the Texas Tech Red Raiders included a 33 home run season in , a record which still stands today.

Professional baseball player

Kansas City Royals organization (1997–2001) On June 3, 1997, Dillon was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the 7th round (211th overall) of the 1997 Major League Baseball draft. He returned to Omaha for the season.

Minnesota Twins organization (2001–2003) On December 31, 2001, Dillon was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 2001 Rule 5 Draft. For the season, he was assigned to the Double-A New Britain Rock Cats, spending nearly the entire season there, before being promoted to the Triple-A Edmonton Trappers.

Brief retirement (2003–2004) Continued problems with his back, including increasing stiffness, prompted Dillon to retire during spring training . On March 24, 2003, he was released from the Twins. During the year, Dillon underwent back surgery to repair the herniated disc. Following that, he returned to his alma mater, Texas Tech University, to coach its 2003 baseball team. His back felt better, and he decided to return to playing professional baseball. when (by an unfortunate coincidence) Marlins starting third-baseman Mike Lowell lost a foul pop-up by Milton Bradley of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the sun, causing Lowell to be struck by the ball in his face, subsequently forcing him to leave the game. Dillon’s stat line for his first major league game included four at bats, one hit, and one strikeout. For the season, in 36 at bats, he posted a batting average of .167 with one home run. he failed to make the big league roster out of spring training, instead finding himself back in Triple-A Nashville. Dillon was recalled by the Brewers, on May 1, 2008; in a corresponding move, the Brewers designated relief pitcher Derrick Turnbow for assignment.

Oakland Athletics organization (2008–2009) Following the season, Dillon was claimed off waivers by the Oakland Athletics.

On January 7, 2009, Dillon was designated for assignment to clear a roster spot for Jason Giambi and was sent outright to the minor leagues.

Tampa Bay Rays organization (2009–2010)

On May 10, 2009, Dillon traded by Oakland to the Tampa Bay Rays, in return for Adam Kennedy. He retired following his release, November 6, 2010.

Coaching career Washington Nationals On December 20, 2013, Dillon was announced as the hitting coach for the Washington Nationals' Triple-A affiliate, the Syracuse Chiefs.

Miami Marlins He spent the 2016 and 2017 seasons as the minor league hitting coordinator for the Miami Marlins organization.

Washington Nationals (second stint) Dillon was named as the assistant hitting coach for the Washington Nationals for the 2018 season.

Philadelphia Phillies On November 21, 2019, the Philadelphia Phillies announced Dillon as their new hitting coach for the 2020 season. He was dismissed from the position on October 3, 2021, before the Phillies played the final game of the 2021 season.

Kansas City Royals Dillon was named the assistant hitting coach for the Kansas City Royals for the 2024 season. On October 5, 2025, general manager J. J. Picollo announced that Dillon would not return to the team for the 2026 season.

Chicago Cubs On February 18, 2026, Dillon was announced as the hitting coach for the Knoxville Smokies, the Double-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs.