The Astros announced this evening they’ve finalized their coaching staff for the 2023 campaign. It’ll be Dusty Baker’s fourth season running the show as the Astros look to defend their World Series title.
One previously unreported addition is the tabbing of Tommy Kawamura as game planning coach (h/t to Mark Berman of Fox 26). Formerly a member of the team’s advance scouting department in the front office, Kawamura makes the jump to the dugout. It’s a newly-created position for the Astros that’ll presumably increase Baker’s ability to match up with the opposition.
The rest of the staff returns, most in their previous roles. Joe Espada is back for a sixth season as bench coach. Alex Cintrón and Troy Snitker return as co-hitting coaches; Jason Kanzler will be their assistant hitting coach, his second season on staff. Bill Murphy and Josh Miller will split pitching coach duties for the second straight year. Gary Pettis and Omar López will serve as base coaches, with Dan Firova and Michael Collins also remaining on staff.
There’s a strong amount of continuity with the group, as they return in hopes of backing up their championship. Houston made some key front office changes at the start of the offseason, but the non-playing field staff is back completely intact with the addition of Kawamura.
Who is going to fill the Assistant game planning coach spot though?
Samuel is in negotiations.
The Astros are trying to steal him away from the Orioles.
Sam Bankman-Fried was just hired as a remote employee.
Case, that stung lol
I don’t see how Cintron stays employed.
This is so random; what’s not to see?
He’s the first person Yordan thanks after God in post-game interviews when he crushed those breathtaking moonshots.
He was first in line to be Toronto’s bench coach next year, but when the numbers weren’t right and he didn’t wanna move to a different country in the cold, Donny baseball took the gig instead.
?? I probably just shouldn’t feed the trolls I guess, but this is such a random take.
I was unaware of these contract negotiations you speak of with Toronto. Regardless, Cintron is a hothead that gets into unnecessary confrontations with opponents. If I remember correctly, he was involved in the scrape with Laureano and I’ve seen him in at least 2 other altercations. Kinda random or presumptuous to label a comment as trolling rather than look into the history
Lol Astros just now finalizing their coaching staff lol. Should have brought in some new garbage cans since the old ones are probably beat to death.
Oh man you really got them there!!!!
I know thanks!
Good idea. Need to sweep up more trash teams and their fans and throw in the dumpster.
Someone needs to move on or get a life
Someone else needs to shut up and deal with it
Yankees fan huh.
Let’s not forget a defensive alignment coach. Now that there is no shift, we need to put defenders in motion. Prior to pitch release the SS goes in motion towards second and just as the pitch is released crosses the 2b threshold with speed to get in position and around the rule.
Walloper, it could work as long as they get a “Special Assistant to the Defensive Alignment Coach.” Someone to give him a hand ya know.
Lol, yes, Trumbo,
who is banging the conga?
Your mom maybe?
Nothing earth shattering here. The Astros should still perform like the Astros. That could be considered bad for the rest of the league
Strong coaching staff, all returning. Kawamura has been with the team for a long while, glad he is now on the major league staff.
Need a trio of lefty’s: a catcher, an outfielder, and a relief pitcher.
All individuals of questionable morals and integrity ready to carry out this year’s scheme to defraud the game and its fans.
I’m sure that these are all of Dusty’s guy’s?
Front office running the game like a video game and Good ole’ Dusty got him a ring!
Seriously the game has to get back to the game, not Major League Softball stadiums
Cardinals fan?
Surprised the didn’t hire a chick to keep their fan base interested