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.

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

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

New Reds manager Terry Francona has hired hitting coach Chris Valaika away from the Cleveland Guardians, Cincinnati announced Friday. Valaika, 39, has been Cleveland's hitting coach for three years, dating back to Francona's time running the team.

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,

After former Guardians manager Terry Francona came out of retirement and signed with the Reds, Chris Valaika is following him to Cincinnati.