Round Rock names Kyle Moore manager, reshapes 2026 coaching staff

The Texas Rangers revealed their 2026 minor-league coaching staffs and named Kyle Moore manager of the Round Rock Express, the 11th manager in club history. The move pairs fresh leadership with continuity around hitting and conditioning as Round Rock prepares to open its home slate March 31 against Gwinnett.

Moore arrives in Round Rock after a season as bench coach for Triple-A Iowa in the Cubs organization and brings prior managerial experience from the Baltimore system. His staff mixes returning voices with new hires: Matt Lawson returns as hitting coach and Jeff Mathers is back as strength and conditioning coach. Dave Borkowski will serve as pitching coach, Chase Lambin and Kawika Emsley-Pai are on board as development coaches (Emsley-Pai returning to Round Rock), Julio Valdez joins as bullpen coach, and Michael Thiele has been named athletic trainer.

Those personnel choices underscore a focus on both day-to-day performance and long-term growth. Lawson has a track record working with Triple-A hitters, a steadying influence for prospects trying to fine-tune approaches against upper-level pitching. Mathers’ continuity in the weight room and conditioning program keeps familiar protocols in place for players shuttling between Triple-A and the majors. Borkowski’s résumé includes developing arms such as Jack Leiter, signaling an emphasis on polishing pitching mechanics, sequencing and workload management for prospects who may be on the cusp of big-league looks.

Development coaches Lambin and Emsley-Pai will be key in translating organizational priorities into individualized plans at the Triple-A level. Having both a dedicated pitching coach with a noted development history and two development coaches suggests Round Rock will be a hands-on environment for refining pitches, work habits and defensive positioning. Valdez, as bullpen coach, will handle the late-inning work that often determines whether relievers are ready for a major-league bullpen role.

For the Round Rock community, the hires matter beyond the box score. Fans get continuity in familiar faces at the ballpark and a staff built to prepare prospects for call-ups that can bring major-league talent to town. Season-ticket holders and local followers should watch spring progress reports and roster announcements; the staff’s mix of returning coaches and new perspectives could affect how quickly players adjust in April and beyond.

Our two cents? Mark March 31 on the calendar and keep an eye on the development staff’s impact early in the season. Coaching changes rarely make headlines on their own, but in a farm-heavy lineup they shape who arrives in Arlington and when — and that’s the story Round Rock fans will want to follow.