{"id":109671,"date":"2025-11-19T19:45:56","date_gmt":"2025-11-20T00:45:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=109671"},"modified":"2025-11-19T19:45:56","modified_gmt":"2025-11-20T00:45:56","slug":"astros-signal-offensive-shift-new-hitting-coach-hires","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2025\/11\/19\/astros-signal-offensive-shift-new-hitting-coach-hires\/","title":{"rendered":"Astros Signal Offensive Shift with New Hitting Coach Hires"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The Houston Astros had a struggling offense this past season that was very inconsistent. It was one of the reasons they did not make the postseason for the first time since 2016. Injuries played a big role, but the Astros&#8217; front office had had enough. They made significant coaching changes once the season ended, especially to the offensive staff.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>The Astros <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2025\/10\/16\/analyzing-astros-coaching-manager\/\" target=\"_self\">fired both<\/a> of their hitting coaches, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/c\/cintral01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-11-19_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Alex Cintron<\/a> and Troy Snitker, at the end of the year. Cintron had been with Houston since 2017 and had been the lead hitting coach since 2019. Snitker joined in 2019 as well.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\"> \u00a0<\/span>The winning approach that the Astros demonstrated offensively during the past years was not the same in 2025.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>The New Astros Hitting Coach<\/h2>\n<p>Brian McTaggart of MLB.com <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.mlb.com\/astros\/news\/victor-rodriguez-astros-hitting-coach\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">announced earlier<\/a> this month that the Astros hired their new hitting coach in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/r\/rodrivi01.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Victor Rodr\u00edguez<\/a>, who served as the San Diego Padres hitting coach for the past two seasons. The 64-year-old previously worked as an assistant hitting coach with the Boston Red Sox from 2013-17 and the Cleveland Guardians from 2018-23.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_109688\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-109688\" style=\"width: 463px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-109688\" src=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/11\/USATSI_25454695_168400885_lowres-226x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"463\" height=\"615\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/11\/USATSI_25454695_168400885_lowres-226x300.jpg 226w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/11\/USATSI_25454695_168400885_lowres-772x1024.jpg 772w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/11\/USATSI_25454695_168400885_lowres-768x1019.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/11\/USATSI_25454695_168400885_lowres-1158x1536.jpg 1158w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/11\/USATSI_25454695_168400885_lowres-1543x2048.jpg 1543w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/11\/USATSI_25454695_168400885_lowres.jpg 1716w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 463px) 100vw, 463px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-109688\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Feb 19, 2025; Peoria, AZ, USA; San Diego Padres hitting coach Victor Rodriguez poses for a portrait during Media Day at Peoria Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The Padres saw a big jump in hitting and discipline at the plate during Rodr\u00edguez\u2019s two years there. San Diego was 20th in batting average before he took over, but then led baseball in hitting in 2024 with a .263 team average while having the lowest strikeout rate. This past season, the Padres ranked seventh in average, and although they were 18th in runs (702), their total was still higher than the Astros&#8217; 686. San Diego was also ninth with a .321 on-base percentage, compared to Houston at 15th.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Victor Rodriguez leaving Padres to become Astros\u2019 hitting coach<a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/AQvdRTNYBN\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/t.co\/AQvdRTNYBN<\/a> <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/4c9viWaTyM\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/4c9viWaTyM<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Kevin Acee (@sdutKevinAcee) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/sdutKevinAcee\/status\/1986119642197426430?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">November 5, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h3>Closer Look at the Astros Offense<\/h3>\n<p>After being in the top three of the lowest strikeout rates in baseball the last three seasons, Houston dropped to eighth with a 21.4% mark after hovering around 19% since 2022. Meanwhile, San Diego had the third-lowest K-rate this season and was the best in limiting strikeouts in 2024. Rodriguez\u2019s approach clearly worked during his time with the Padres, and he aims to bring back what was a low-strikeout and disciplined team at the plate in Houston.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>The Astros had the <a  href=\"https:\/\/baseballsavant.mlb.com\/league?season=2024\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">highest chase rate<\/a> in the American League and the second highest in baseball, at 30.5%. Since their 2022 season, when it was 29.2%, it has been much higher, among the highest chase rates in baseball over the past three years. On the other hand, San Diego had a much lower number than Houston in 2024 at 28.1%. While the Astros may have had more home runs and a higher OPS than the Padres this season, the difference may relate to personnel, and Rodr\u00edguez may help address their specific struggles.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Rodr\u00edguez\u2019s History<\/h3>\n<p>A former player for parts of 19 professional seasons, Rodr\u00edguez was originally signed by the Baltimore Orioles in 1977 at 15 years old. He played for seven different farm systems (and, briefly, two major league teams) before beginning his coaching career in the Boston Red Sox organization with Triple-A Pawtucket in 1995 after playing 31 games. He spent six seasons as a hitting coach in their minor league system before getting promoted to hitting coordinator from 2007-12.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Rodr\u00edguez has plenty of experience as a hitter with 1,759 minor league games played, where he hit 102 home runs.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>The Astros struggled more in areas in 2025 that had not been a prominent issue before, such as offensive approach, chase rate, and strikeouts. Houston was also 28th in pitches seen per plate appearance. The Astros had been known to grind out pitchers and rack up pitch counts.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>They\u2019ll try to return to that under Rodr\u00edguez. The Padres led baseball in sacrifice bunting and total bunts, using an old-school approach to manufacture runs, given their low home run hitting. Houston can hit the long ball, but it will be interesting to see if they use this strategy in 2026.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Additional Staff Under Victor Rodriguez<\/h3>\n<p>The Astros expanded their coaching staff for 2026, with <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.mlb.com\/news\/anthony-iapoce-dan-hennigan-added-to-astros-coaching-staff\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">two more coaches<\/a> working with Rodr\u00edguez. Anthony Iapoce was named the assistant hitting coach and Dan Hennigan as the offensive coordinator and director of hitting last Wednesday.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>While Rodriguez will serve as the Astros&#8217; clear No. 1 hitting coach, Iapoce should be valuable as an assistant. He was on the Detroit Tigers staff under <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/managers\/hincha.01.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">A.J. Hinch<\/a> in 2024 after managing their Triple-A team in Toledo. The 52-year-old has strong experience as the main hitting coach himself, including 2019-21 with the Chicago Cubs and 2016-18 with the Texas Rangers.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>General manager Dana Brown mentioned that this will bring a structure to the process, as each of them has their own defined roles. The goal for the Astros&#8217; hitters is to be more patient and find better pitches to hit instead of swinging early.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Hennigan will create game plans and help prepare hitters using analytics and data. He was already the director of hitting for Houston last season after two years as a hitting analyst with the Minnesota Twins. He is an expert in swing biomechanics and can keep Houston up to date on a modern approach to hitting, while Rodr\u00edguez is more old-school. The overhaul Brown has assembled with multiple viewpoints and roles may be a good change for Houston, but ultimately, the results will tell.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>2025 Was Not the Year<\/h3>\n<p>Houston had <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2025\/08\/28\/astros-injury-woes-continue-bright\/\" target=\"_self\">injuries to multiple key players<\/a>\u00a0that made it extremely difficult to get a rhythm down the stretch. Designated hitter <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/a\/alvaryo01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-11-19_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Yordan Alvarez<\/a> missed 115 games, and two more of the Astros\u2019 best offensive players, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/p\/penaje02.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-11-19_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jeremy Pe\u00f1a<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2025\/09\/19\/astros-isaac-paredes-activated-before-crucial-stretch-run\/\" target=\"_self\">Isaac Paredes<\/a>, each missed a month and two months, respectively. Additionally, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/search\/search.fcgi?pid=meyerja02,meyers003jak&amp;search=Jake+Meyers&amp;utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-11-19_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jake Meyers<\/a> missed 58 games, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/a\/altuvjo01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-11-19_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jose Altuve<\/a> was not fully healthy.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>With a complete overhaul of the offensive coaching and a fresh start with a full season of <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2025\/08\/19\/astros-continue-slump-correa\/\" target=\"_self\">Carlos Correa<\/a>, the Astros aim to return to the top of the American League.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Main Photo Credit: William Purnell-Imagn Images<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Houston Astros had a struggling offense this past season that was very inconsistent. It was one of the reasons they did not make the postseason for the first time since 2016. Injuries played a big role, but the Astros&#8217; front office had had enough. They made significant coaching changes once the season ended, especially [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5612,"featured_media":106469,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"1","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[14,1071,35],"tags":[4034,716,4076,5107,5332,251,2186,5633,2725],"class_list":["post-109671","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-astros","category-mlb","category-news","tag-alex-cintron","tag-carlos-correa","tag-isaac-paredes","tag-jake-meyers","tag-jeremy-pena","tag-jose-altuve","tag-mlb-history","tag-victor-rodriguez","tag-yordan-alvarez"],"modified_by":"Lewis Masella, Site Editor","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/109671","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5612"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=109671"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/109671\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":109689,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/109671\/revisions\/109689"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/106469"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=109671"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=109671"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=109671"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}