Reds Chris Valaika Joins the Hot Stove to Discuss Hitting Philosophies, Coaching with Terry Francona and More

Valaika joined the Reds staff once Francona was hired.

Greg Kuffner | 15 Hours Ago

Cincinnati Reds Hitting Coach Chris Valaika / Cincinnati Reds

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Cincinnati Reds

One of the first moves Terry Francona made as manager of the Reds was to hire Chris Valaika as the Director of Hitting.

Valaika was the Guardians' hitting coach from 2022-2024.

He joined MLB Network's Hot Stove to discuss hitting at Great American Ball Park, hitting philosophies, coaching with Francona, and more.

Great American Ball Park is known for being a hitter's paradise and it's something that Valaika thinks can get in the minds of players.

"I think it's a reputation you'd like to get rid of," Valaika said. "I think the biggest thing for us is to really not try to be a victim of the ballpark. We have to be dynamic in how we score runs, not just waiting for that three-run home run."

Valaika coached with Francona with the Guardians from 2022-2023 and he discussed the trust the two of them have with one another.

"There is the trust that we have," Valaika said. "I was fortunate enough to get hired by him in Cleveland, and to see him come back, and get the opportunity to work with him again, you can't pass up offers like that. The trust and the alignment has been there already and I am looking forward to getting back in the dugout with him and getting to build this thing out."

The Reds offense will need to take a big step forward if they want to make the playoffs in 2025.

You can watch Valaika's full interview below:

"The biggest thing for us is really trying to not be a victim of the ballpark. We gotta be dynamic in how we score runs."

Chris Valaika is returning to Cincinnati as the @Reds Director of Hitting and Major League Hitting Coach! #MLBNHotStove pic.twitter.com/ASFIvlZt60
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) December 21, 2024