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Coaching changes on the horizon for the D-backs

Derek Montilla

October 8, 2021

The Arizona Diamondbacks didn’t wait long to make changes to their coaching staff. On Thursday, it was reported by Nick Piecoro from the Arizona Republic and Zach Buchanan from The Athletic that only three coaches on Torey Lovullo’s staff will be retaining their same positions going into the 2022 season.

“I don’t know what direction I’m going to go in yet,” Lovullo said during his final media appearance on October 4th in regards to his coaching decisions. “I just want to take my time and do it as thoroughly as possible. I remember the feeling that I had late in the year wondering about and being curious about my return, so I’m sensitive to what they’re thinking and I won’t take that lightly.

“So, I’m going to try to move through it as quickly as possible but do it the right way, which may take a little bit of time.”

Three days later, it has surfaced that first base coach Dave McKay, third base coach Tony Perezchica, and bullpen coach Mike Fetters are the three who will be returning next year.

Matt Herges will no longer be the pitching coach but was offered another position within the organization. Herges – one of only two players to ever play for all five NL West teams – has been the pitching coach for the last two seasons.

Under Herges, the D-backs pitching staff was ranked 21st in MLB in 2020 with a 4.86 team ERA. Things didn’t get better in 2021 as they were ranked 29th with a 5.13 ERA.

Quality control/catching coach and former player Robby Hammock, who has been a coach within the D-backs system since 2014, was not renewed.

Bench coach Luis Urueta has been assigned to an MLB staff position while interim co-hitting coaches Drew Hedman and Rick Short won’t be back in those positions. However, they may return in a hitting instructor capacity. Hedman and Short replaced Eric Hinske and Darnell Coles midseason when they were let go.

Chris Cron, who also joined the staff in an interim capacity due to McKay’s health issues this season, has been offered a position to return to player development.

While a coaching shakeup was expected, it is more surprising to see the D-backs offer most who were let go other opportunities within the organization.

Once the dust settles, Lovullo and the front office will have at least four positions to fill on his staff. These coaches will play a major role in shaping the future of this franchise.

“My starting point is that we won 52 games, and I need to examine everything from A-to-Z inside of the coaching staff,” Lovullo added. “So I can’t make any bold predictions, but starting with me, we got to be better on very level from a coaching and teaching standpoint.”