The D-Backs are hiring J.R. House as third base/catching coach, Nick Piccolo of the Arizona Republic reports. The 45-year-old has held the position with the Reds for the past seven seasons.
House had a brief career as a part-time catcher in the major leagues. He spent much of the 2010s coaching and managing in the D-Backs’ farm system and still lives in Arizona. House told Piccolo that being close to home was a big reason why he made the lateral move away from the Reds.
The Diamondbacks hired first-year third base coach Shaun Larkin last offseason. Larkin struggled in the role and had some poor performances, leading head coach Torey Lovullo to fire him in mid-August. Larkin remains as infield coach. Tim Bogar, who served as third base coach for the final five weeks of the season, will return to a minor league player development role, Piccolo wrote.
This may be the only change for Arizona’s staff. Lovullo told “The Burns & Gamble Show” earlier this month that they will bring back all coaches, although he left room for role adjustments. The Reds are now in need of at least one coaching change in Terry Francona’s second season at the helm.
