Hitting coach Hudgens joins Blue Jays to add to staff exodus
CARLSBAD, Calif. — The Astros’ attrition continues.
Fourth-year Houston hitting coach Dave Hudgens was hired as the Blue Jays’ bench coach on Wednesday, becoming the third member of manager A.J. Hinch’s on-field coaching staff to depart the organization this offseason.
"Hudge has done a great job for us and been instrumental in shaping our offense,” Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow said Wednesday at the general manag- er meetings.
This is the first bench coach title for Hudgens, whom Hinch hired before his inaugural 2015 Astros season.
“It’s something I had in the back of my mind, something I always wanted to do,” Hudgens said Wednesday. “I wanted to learn more, challenge myself and get better in all areas. If the opportunity arose, Iwas going to take it.”
Hudgens’ departure leaves only pitching coach Brent Strom and third-base coach Gary Pettis from Hinch’s original coaching staff.
Hudgens coached Hinch during his second major league season as an Oakland Athletic. The 61-year-old had two stints with the A’s and a four-year run as the New York Mets’ hitting coach from 2011-14.
Hudgens’ 2017 Astros offense led the majors in runs, hits, batting average and OPS. It was the third offense since 1911 to have the league’s best slugging percentage and fewest strikeouts.
It’s hard, it was a really hard decision,” Hudgens said. “Hard to leave knowing what we had here
and the organization that Jeff and A.J. and all the front office put together.
“It’s an incredibly talented group — the most talented group I’ve ever been with — and that was the hardest part, leaving those guys.”
Jose Altuve won two batting titles during Hudgens’ tenure. George Springer, he of a 33.0 strikeout percentage upon Hudgens’ arrival, whittled his punchout propensity in each of his first three years under Hudgens. This season, Alex Bregman hit 12 more home runs and coaxed 41 more walks than he did in 2017.
“He's been a big part of our success the last couple years,” Luhnow said. “He has an opportunity to be a bench coach on a major league team and that's something he's always wanted to do. It's not something we can provide for him. We have a bench coach we really like.”
That is Joe Espada. One month ago, Espada was among the most sought-after managerial candidates, one who interviewed for multiple openings he did not receive. Cautiously, the Astros are optimistic he will return.
Given the feverish upheaval within the organization during the last month, proceeding with wariness is wise. Luhnow revealed Tuesday he’s never endured an offseason rife with such turnover — in both his front office and coaching staff.
Since September, three onfield coaches have left for promotions. Sig Medjal — Luhnow’s longtime aide who built Houston’s analytics program and later served as a special assistant to the general manager — allowed his contract to expire to pursue other baseball opportunities.
Director of research and development Mike Fast — an original member of Luhnow and Medjal's analytics team — left the club in September, too. The Atlanta Braves hired him on Wednesday as a special assistant to general manager Alex Anthopoulous.
“We are getting hit pretty hard,” Luhnow said.
Hudgens vacates Houston one week after his assistant hitting coach, Jeff Albert, was hired as the St. Louis Cardinals hitting coach. Luhnow acknowledged Wednesday that, with two hitting coach openings, hunting outside the organization for replacements is likely.
The Astros often like to groom their minor league coaches or coordinators for promotions.
Albert, for example, spent five seasons in various roles within the Houston farm system before earning a major league promotion prior to this season. Bullpen coach Doug White followed the same trajectory. He’s now the Angels’ pitching coach, plucked away for a promotion to fit this fall’s frequent refrain.
“Again, one of those situations where people that are affiliated with the Astros and our success are in demand elsewhere,” said Luhnow, who joked earlier this week he’s been conducting more human resources work than hot stove chatter.
“It's unfortunate that we lose good people, but it's good for their careers. We have to figure out how to replace them. We will and we'll be fine. It's just more work."