The Rays are bringing a familiar face back into the fold, this time in a new role. Former All-Star outfielder Corey Dickerson has been named the team’s new first base coach, marking his first official coaching position at the Major League level. At 36, Dickerson is stepping into a new chapter of his baseball journey, just two years removed from his last big league at-bat.
This move fills the vacancy left by Michael Johns, who departed in November to become the Nationals’ bench coach. And while Dickerson may be new to the coaching box, he’s no stranger to the Rays or to manager Kevin Cash. The two worked together during Dickerson’s stint in Tampa Bay from 2016 to 2017, after the club acquired him in a trade with Colorado that sent then-prospect Germán Márquez to the Rockies.
Dickerson made his mark quickly in a Rays uniform. Over 298 games, he slashed .265/.310/.480 and earned an All-Star nod in 2017.
Known for his smooth left-handed swing and gap-to-gap power, he was a key bat in the middle of the lineup during his time in St. Pete.
That offseason, Tampa Bay traded him to Pittsburgh, where he put together one of the best seasons of his career-hitting .300 and flashing the leather well enough to take home a Gold Glove.
From there, Dickerson’s career took on a journeyman arc. He was dealt to the Phillies at the 2019 trade deadline and spent the next few seasons as a veteran bench bat, suiting up for four more teams before his playing days wrapped up in 2023, when he was released by the Nationals.
By the time he hung up his cleats, Dickerson had compiled a .280/.323/.476 career slash line, 136 home runs, and nearly 500 RBIs across almost 4,000 plate appearances. He topped the 20-homer mark three times and consistently brought a professional, polished approach at the plate.
While he’s never coached professionally until now, Dickerson has already begun laying the groundwork for this transition. He spent this past year coaching high school baseball back home in Mississippi, staying connected to the game and passing on his experience to the next generation.
Now, he’ll bring that same energy and insight to a Rays clubhouse that values versatility, preparation, and a deep understanding of the game. Dickerson’s path from All-Star outfielder to MLB coach is a full-circle moment-and one that could pay dividends for a Rays team that continues to find value in unconventional places.