The Reds have announced the hiring of Chris Valaika as their director of hitting and major league hitting coach. He previously served as the hitting coach for the Guardians but will now make the switch to Cincinnati.
Valaika, 39, was originally a third-round draft pick by the Reds in 2006. He played in the majors from 2010 to 2014 for the Reds, Marlins, and Cubs, before transitioning to coaching. He began his coaching career in the Cubs’ minor league system and eventually reached the major league staff. In 2022, he joined the Guardians under then-manager Terry Francona.
Following the 2023 season, Francona stepped down to focus on his health, with Stephen Vogt taking over as manager. Francona is set to lead the Reds starting in the 2025 season, replacing David Bell.
Shortly after Francona’s hiring was announced, it was reported that the Reds would part ways with hitting coach Joel McKeithan and assistant hitting coaches Terry Bradshaw and Tim LaMonte. One of those positions has now been filled by a familiar name for Francona.
In 2022, the Guardians had a batting average of .254 with a wRC+ of 100, indicating they were league average. They also boasted the lowest strikeout rate in the majors at 18.2%, significantly better than the Astros, who were second at 19.5%. However, the Cleveland offense dipped slightly in 2023 to a .250 average and a 91 wRC+, while maintaining the best strikeout rate in the league. In 2024, their strikeout rate fell to fifth-lowest, but they added power with a .238 average and a 100 wRC+, reaching the ALCS.
It can be challenging to assess a coach’s impact separately from the players’ performances, but Francona likely had a strong relationship with Valaika during their two years together, which may have influenced his decision to bring him to Cincinnati.
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