Baseball Adds Brandon Van Horn as Program’s New Hitting Coach
6/22/2026 3:36:00 PM | Baseball
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mizzou Baseball head coach Kerrick Jackson announced the hiring of Brandon Van Horn as the Tigers' new hitting coach on Monday.
Van Horn comes to Mizzou from the pro ranks, serving as a hitting coach in the Houston Astros organization for the past two years where he worked with and developed some of the top young names in baseball, including Astros' 2024 and 2025 first round picks Walker Janek and Xavier Neyens, in addition to Astros' big leaguers Taylor Trammell and Zach Dezenzo and MiLB prospect Anthony Huezo.
"We are very fortunate to add Brandon to our staff," Jackson said. "His passion for teaching and player development is second to none. I believe he possesses a unique ability to connect with players on an individual level and build meaningful relationships founded on trust and understanding. His energy is contagious, and our hitters will greatly benefit from his leadership, knowledge and direction. His experience will not only help our hitters achieve success at the collegiate level but will also prepare them for the demands and opportunities of professional baseball. We are excited about the impact he will have on our program both on and off the field."
Over the past two seasons as hitting coach for the Houston Astros' Florida Complex League (FCL) affiliate, Van Horn helping guide the club to its first FCL East Division title in 41 years in 2025 and a combined 60-22 record during his tenure. He played a key role in the organization's post-draft onboarding process, developing player plans and introducing newly drafted players to the Astros' development system.
In addition to working with players throughout the minor league system, he assisted numerous major and minor league players during rehabilitation assignments and swing and approach adjustments. He also contributed to the development of bat speed and movement-pattern training programs, mental performance and visualization initiatives, and educational resources utilized throughout the organization.
"This opportunity is one of a lifetime," Van Horn said. "My girls and I are beyond grateful for the Astros for the last couple years. We're also extremely grateful to Coach Jackson for bringing us on to join the Mizzou Baseball family and Columbia community. This is the right time, the right place, with the right people. We're ready to get to work, hold a standard and compete against the best in college baseball."
?????????????? ???? ????????, ?????????????? ?????? ????????!
— Mizzou Baseball (@MizzouBaseball) June 22, 2026
Van Horn has been named the program's new hitting coach, coming to Mizzou from the Houston Astros organization.
?? https://t.co/DJnKu12Vha#MizzouNOW pic.twitter.com/4romRmnWXc
Before his time coaching in pro ball, Van Horn spent three years on staff at New Mexico State, working as the program's hitting coach in 2023 and serving as a volunteer assistant for the Aggies during the 2021 and 2022 seasons. The Aggies claimed a WAC Championship and made a run to the NCAA Corvallis Regional in 2021 with Van Horn on staff.
A former San Francisco Giants draft pick, Van Horn spent four seasons in the Giants organization and reached the highest level of Minor League Baseball (AAA) during the 2019 season.
The slick-handed infielder slugged three home runs and tallied 34 RBI across three levels (A+, AA, AAA) in 2019. Van Horn played in eight games while with the Sacramento River Cats (AAA), hitting .400 with a home run and two RBI. Overall, he hit 17 home runs and drove in 118 runs, adding 26 stolen bases over the course of his four-year pro career.
A native of Tujanga, California, Van Horn began his collegiate career at Riverside City College in 2012 before transferring to Dallas Baptist in 2014. He then transferred to The Master's College in Santa Clarita, California, where he hit .280 with 21 extra-base hits including 11 homers while driving in 31 runs and scoring 36 times as a senior in 2016 before being drafted by the Giants in the 19th round of the 2016 MLB Draft.
Brandon, his wife Mikaela and two daughters, Maeva and Romi Jo, are thrilled to join the community and call Columbia home.
What They Are Saying
Dan Hennigan, Houston Astros Director of Hitting
"When trying to build an entirely new system and philosophy within an established organization, you hope to find people like Brandon who can help bring that vision to life. He made a meaningful impact on the Houston Astros organization through his ability to build genuine relationships with players, translate complex information into actionable development plans, and bring consistency and purpose to the work every day. Brandon is an intelligent, high-character coach whose work ethic, communication skills, and commitment to helping players improve will make him a tremendous addition to Mizzou Baseball."
Taylor Trammell, Houston Astros Outfielder
"Brandon is the kind of man you want in your program. Given his intelligence, I can confidently say that Brandon cares deeply for others. He prioritizes the well-being of his peers as well as provides a sense of trust and reliability. Moreover, he is always well-prepared and never finds himself caught off guard. When faced with new challenges, he shows a remarkable ability to adjust swiftly."
Zach Dezenzo, Houston Astros Infielder/Outfielder
"Brandon is a servant leader, first and foremost, and has had a huge impact on my career as a hitter in just a short time working with him. He's helped me develop a simplistic approach to hitting and has always reminded me of who I am at my core as a hitter. Mizzou is getting the best of the best."
Walker Janek, Houston Astros Catcher, 2024 1st Round Pick
"Brandon has been a huge mentor and resource for me, as well as for many other professional baseball players. His ability to guide hitters through both the mechanical and mental aspects of the game is elite. Brandon is someone players genuinely enjoy being around, learning from and working with every day."
FOLLOW THE TIGERS
For all the latest information on Mizzou baseball, please visit MUTigers.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow the Tigers on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
