The Cubs have seen plenty of turnover in their coaching staffs this offseason, from the majors down to the minors. There is yet another change to report, as the Cubs have replaced their minor-league hitting coordinator Jacob Cruz with former Cubs player Chris Valaika.
The Pirates hired Cruz earlier in the offseason as an assistant hitting coach. Valaika last played in the majors for the Cubs in 2014, and then played one more season at Triple-A for the Iowa Cubs in 2015.
He eventually became a hitting coach for the Iowa Cubs and now Valaika is getting a promotion.
Via the Chicago Tribune.
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The Cubs, meanwhile, promoted Triple-A Iowa co-hitting coach Chris Valaika to minor-league hitting coordinator. Valaika, 33, who played in 99 major-league games over four seasons for three teams — including the Cubs in 2014 — takes over for Jacob Cruz, whom the Pirates hired last month as assistant hitting coach.
This is just the latest change to the structure of the coaching staffs for the Cubs, as the team reportedly lost Tim Cossins this week. Cossins is going to the Orioles to join former Cubs bench coach Brandon Hyde’s coaching staff.
Oh and new Cubs pitcher Kendall Graveman also broke the news of the Cubs hiring Brad Mills as well.
The Cubs have already hired a new hitting coach, Anthony Iapoce and a new pitching coach, Tommy Hottovy this offseason and they’re still not done because they haven’t hired Hyde’s replacement yet.
Although it kind of seems like Raul Ibanez might be the guy to be on Joe Maddon’s bench in 2019.
Anyway, congrats to Chris Valaika!
