KINGSTON, R.I. - Rhode Island baseball alum, and former assistant coach Chris Hess was named Miami Marlins assistant hitting coach, the team announced via X on Tuesday night. 

Hess joined the Marlins organization after spending the last three seasons as a minor league hitting coach within the Boston Red Sox organization. Most recently, Hess was the hitting coach for the Red Sox Double-A affiliate, the Portland Sea Dogs. Prior to his time with the Red Sox organization, Hess spent time as a volunteer assistant coach with the Rams. 

Second year skipper Clayton McCullough led Miami to a 79-83 record in 2025. Hess is one of three hitting coaches on McCullough's 2026 staff, including hitting coach Pedro Guerrero and assistant hitting coach Corbin Day.

In 2017, Hess was a 17th round draft pick to the New York Yankees out of Rhode Island. He is the program leader in triples with 19 and was a Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American in 2015. Hess' 142 runs scored in his Rhode Island career is tied for 10th-most in program history. 

The North Kingstown, R.I. native played a critical role in Rhode Island's 2016 Atlantic 10 Championship win. Hess helped lead Rhody to its first NCAA Tournament since 2005. The Rams notched their first and only NCAA Tournament win in 2016; a 5-4 win at No. 6 South Carolina in the Columbia Regional. Hess went 2-for-5 in that game with a run scored. 

Hess and the Marlins begin their 2026 campaign on March 27 when they host the Colorado Rockies at 7:10 p.m. at loanDepot Park in Miami, Fla.