Astros find replacement for long-time third base coach

The Astros are hiring Tony Perezchica to serve as third base coach, reports Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic. Perezchica has held the same role with the Diamondbacks for the last eight years. Piecoro notes that Perezchica had served as an infield instructor with Arizona and is expected to do the same in Houston while taking on an expanded role working with minor league infielders.

Perezchica, 58, briefly appeared in the majors between 1988-92. He has spent nearly three decades in the coaching ranks. The majority of that experience has come with the Diamondbacks. Perezchica took a managerial role with one of Arizona’s rookie ball affiliates back in 2003. He joined Torey Lovullo’s first coaching staff in the desert over the 2016-17 offseason.

The Astros decided not to renew the contract of previous third base coach Gary Pettis. Chandler Rome of the Athletic writes that the Astros don’t plan to go outside the organization for additional hires, though the staff hasn’t been finalized and it’s possible other teams express interest in hiring coaches away from Houston. If no one departs for a better opportunity, it seems the Astros will only make the one coaching change.

There’s more turnover in Phoenix. Arizona fired three pitching coaches (including former Astros staffer Brent Strom) a few weeks ago. The Diamondbacks now have four vacancies to address.