As initially reported by azcentral’s Nick Piecoro and verified by MLB.com, Arizona Diamondbacks long-time third-base coach Tony Perezchica is departing the team to take a position with the Houston Astros. Since manager Torey Lovullo took over in 2017, Perezchica has been with the Diamondbacks for the past 22 seasons, first as a minor league manager and then as the third-base coach. Christian Walker and Ketel Marte, two 2024 Gold Glove finalists, are among Arizona’s infielders, and the former major leaguer has been a crucial defensive coach for them.
Arizona has the fewest errors and most outs above average in MLB since the start of 2022 with Perezchica coaching the infielders and Dave McKay working with the outfielders. Before games, it was a common sight to see Perezchica leading various drills with infielders.
According to reports, he would succeed Houston as third-base coach because the Astros did not rehire Gary Pettis following a ten-year absence. The coaching staff’s turnover will be a challenge for the Diamondbacks. Along with bullpen coach Mike Fetters, assistant pitching coach Dan Carlson, and pitching coach Brent Strom, Perezchica is joining the group of employees that will not be returning. Shortly after the D-backs’ 89-73 record eliminated them from the postseason, the three pitching coaches were fired. Along with Walker and Paul Sewald’s free agency status, club options for Eugenio Suarez and Merrill Kelly, and mutual options for Randal Grichuk and Joc Pederson, Arizona faces a challenging summer as it looks to return to October baseball in 2025.
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