The former Cincinnati Reds infielder and third-round draft pick spent the past three seasons as the Cleveland Guardians hitting coach.

The first coach on the staff of new Reds manager Terry Francona was hired on Thursday, when Chris Valaika became the hitting coach and director of hitting. Valaika, 39, spent the last three seasons as the Major League hitting coach for the Guardians – including 2022-23 under Francona.

New Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona has hired hitting coach Chris Valaika away from the Cleveland Guardians.

Valaika, 39, comes from the Cleveland Guardians; he had been the team’s hitting coach since 2022, including two years under new Reds manager Terry Francona. Before that, he spent one year as the assistant hitting coach for the Cubs, as well as two seasons as the team’s minor-league hitting coordinator.

Entering the offseason, the Guardians had a good idea that, because of their success, a few of their coaches may be heading to other organizations. Chris Valaika was the first to make his move. The Guardians announced that Valaika,

The Reds announced Thursday the hiring of hitting coach Chris Valaika to be their Director of Hitting and Major League hitting coach. If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site,