Reds dismiss hitting coaches as staff shakeup continues
The Cincinnati Reds are undergoing notable changes with the appointment of Terry Francona as their new manager. As Francona and the team work to assemble a coaching staff, it’s already evident that some coaches from David Bell’s tenure won’t be returning. Such transitions often bring fresh perspectives and approaches but can also mean saying goodbye to members of the previous staff. It’ll be interesting to see who Francona selects and how these changes shape the Reds’ direction moving forward.
Reds president of baseball operations, Nick Krall, announced on Tuesday that the team has parted ways with all three hitting coaches — Joel McKeithan, along with assistants Terry Bradshaw and Tim LaMonte. This shake-up signals a broader shift within the organization as they prepare for a new direction under Terry Francona’s leadership.
Nick Krall explained the decision by saying, “We felt a change was needed at the end of the day, a new voice in that group, a new collective voice for our players to improve.” This highlights the Reds’ desire for fresh leadership and new perspectives within the hitting department to help their players develop further.
The Reds, who ended the season with a 77-85 record, struggled offensively, ranking 26th in the Major Leagues with a .231 team batting average and placing 16th with 699 runs scored. Their offensive challenges were evident in 16 shutout losses, including four 1-0 defeats, and a 15-28 record in one-run games. These stats likely contributed to the decision to overhaul the hitting staff as the team looks for improvements moving forward.
Joel McKeithan joined the Reds’ Major League coaching staff as an assistant hitting coach prior to the 2022 season and was promoted to lead hitting coach the following year. Terry Bradshaw and Tim LaMonte, his assistant coaches, were added to the staff ahead of the 2023 season. Despite their relatively short tenures, all three were let go as part of the team’s effort to bring in fresh voices and perspectives.
For the next hitting coach and assistants, the Reds will be seeking a balance of experience and other key factors, such as focusing on approach versus swing mechanics. This suggests that the team is looking for a more holistic coaching philosophy, emphasizing not just technical adjustments but also a strategic mindset to help improve the overall hitting performance of the players.
Nick Krall emphasized the need for improvement in the Reds’ offensive approach, stating, “We need to make more contact, take better at-bats. You want line drive hitters in this ballpark because line drives are going to go out of this ballpark. I want hitters to have the approach that you can use the whole field and hit line drives and take good at-bats. That’s more important for us than power, especially in this ballpark.” This highlights the team’s focus on consistent contact and strategic hitting over raw power, particularly given the dimensions of their home stadium.
In addition to parting ways with manager David Bell, the Reds have now dismissed four other coaches. Along with the hitting staff changes, the club also let go of game planning and infield coach Jeff Pickler on September 23. These moves reflect a broader restructuring within the coaching staff as the team aims for a fresh start under new leadership.
Pitching coach and director of pitching Derek Johnson, who is already under contract, will be returning for the next season. However, it remains uncertain whether other members of the coaching staff will be retained, as the Reds continue to evaluate their options under the new management structure.
Nick Krall stated, “We will be keeping some guys. We’re just not there yet,” indicating that while some members of the coaching staff may return, decisions are still being finalized. This suggests that the Reds are in the process of assessing their options and determining which coaches will fit into the new vision for the team.
Nick Krall, general manager Brad Meador, and Terry Francona have already conducted meetings to discuss the structure of the coaching staff for the upcoming season. These discussions are part of their efforts to shape the team’s direction and ensure they have the right personnel in place to achieve their goals.
Nick Krall mentioned, “[Francona] has been adamant about having a collaborative process with us, which has been a lot of fun kicking around names.” This highlights Francona’s commitment to teamwork in assembling the coaching staff, fostering an environment where ideas and potential candidates can be openly discussed and evaluated.
Aguiar undergoes Tommy John surgery, out for 2025
Right-handed starting pitcher Julian Aguiar has undergone Tommy John surgery to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his elbow, which means he will miss the entire 2025 season. This surgery is a significant procedure for pitchers and typically requires a lengthy recovery period, impacting his availability for the team in the near future.
Ranked as the organization’s No. 11 prospect by MLB Pipeline, Julian Aguiar was scratched from his final start in Cleveland and placed on the injured list on September 24. Interim manager Freddie Benavides indicated that the 23-year-old felt discomfort in his elbow while throwing during a side session after his last start. This injury ultimately led to the decision for him to undergo Tommy John surgery.
In a 15-3 loss to the Braves on September 19, Julian Aguiar had a tough outing, allowing a career-high seven earned runs in four-plus innings. During that game, he gave up six hits, issued two walks, recorded four strikeouts, and surrendered two home runs. This performance marked a challenging moment in his season before the injury that led to his surgery.
This past season, Julian Aguiar made 31 starts across Double-A, Triple-A, and the Major Leagues, logging a total of 148 innings. With the Reds, he posted a record of 2-1 and had a 6.25 ERA in seven starts. His time in the big leagues provided valuable experience, despite the challenges he faced on the mound.
