Chris Valaika Leaving Guardians for the Reds
Interesting development for a polarizing figure
Chris Valaika has been hired away by the Cincinnati Reds as their new hitting coach.
The Reds are hiring away Chris Valaika, who was the Guardians hitting coach the last three years.
— Zack Meisel (@ZackMeisel) October 24, 2024
Terry Francona must have enjoyed his time with Valaika, who now rejoins Tito just a few hours south on I-71.
Hitting coaches are rarely beloved, because hitting in baseball is very hard. For example, Kevin Seitzer was hitting coach for the Braves’ offense in 2023 which was one the best we’ve seen in a long time. After a disappointing 2024 where his best hitter was out all season, he’s out of a job. I’m not sure that any hitting coach is beloved for long, but it’s certainly true that Valaika had his detractors in droves among Guardians’ fans. I prefer to see a good four-five year sample from a guy, but it’s notable that this wasn’t a decision by Cleveland to move on, but from Valaika.
Now, we will wait to see if the organization hires from within - perhaps promoting assistant hitting coach Dan Puente, run production coordinator Jason Esposito, Alex Eckelman vice president of hitting, or Junior Betances, hitting coach for Columbus, who has long been rumored as a bit of a batter whisperer - or finding an outside fit, like Seitzer or any number of others connected to Cleveland or manager Stephen Vogt in some manner.
The Guardians’ hitting needs to chase less and take more walks, so, whoever they find, I hope they are adept at helping the team continue the slugging gains they made in 2024 and adding that piece to the equation.