Alan Zinter, who worked the last two seasons as assistant director of player development and offense for the San Francisco Giants, is the new hitting coach.
The Reds also announced Donnie Ecker, who was hired as an assistant hitting coach last November, will have an additional role as director of hitting and “will have increased involvement in the creation and implementation of the organization’s hitting philosophies and protocols.”
In a press release, Reds President of Baseball Operations Dick Williams said, “The structure for the hitting department will closely follow what we have recently instituted on the pitching side. The organizational philosophy will be articulated and implemented in a consistent way across all levels.”
The #Reds today announced the hiring of Alan Zinter as Hitting Coach for the Major League team and the promotion of Donnie Ecker to Assistant Hitting Coach and Director of Hitting. pic.twitter.com/cCFz8r96Sc
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) October 24, 2019
The Reds ranked 12th out of 15 teams in the National League in batting average (.244) and 12th in runs (701). They finished with a losing record (75-87) for the sixth straight season but ended a four-year streak of finishing last in the National League Central Division with a four-place finish.
Bell worked with Zinter in 2018 when Bell was the vice president of player development for the San Francisco Giants. Bell said he’s confident in Zinter’s approach.
“Alan and Donnie will work well together to provide strong leadership,” Bell said in a press release.
Zinter previously worked as the assistant hitting coach for the Houston Astros in 2015 and hitting coach for the San Diego Padres in 2016 and 2017. From 2008-11, he was the minor league hitting coach for the Arizona Diamondbacks, and he worked as the minor league hitting coordinator for the Cleveland Indians from 2012-2014.
About the Author
