According to Sahadev Sharma of the Athletic, the Cubs have hired Mark Strittmatter as catching coach and Darren Holmes as bullpen coach. These are anticipated to be Craig Counsell’s last two hires for his first team in the Windy City.
After working in Baltimore for four years, Holmes joins the company. He was first hired by the Orioles to serve as a bullpen coach for the 2020 campaign. He was elevated to assistant pitching coach one winter. Before Baltimore changed its pitching voices this past October, Holmes served in that capacity under Chris Holt for three seasons. Holmes left the company completely, and Holt was relegated to an overhead position.
As a big league reliever, the 57-year-old Holmes pitched for portions of 13 seasons. He had been the Colorado bullpen coach for five seasons before to his tenure in Baltimore. He will be a valuable asset to a relief corps headed by Mark Leiter Jr., Adbert Alzolay, and Julian Merryweather. Last season, Chicago relievers’ ERA (3.85) ranked 13th. They had the fourth-highest strikeout percentage (26%) but gave out walks at a rate of 11%, which was only slightly less than the rebuilding A’s club’s 12% average.
Strittmatter, 54, has spent more than 20 years working with catchers in the Rockies system. Prior to taking on the role of minor league catching coordinator in 2013, he gained some experience on a major league staff. In 1998, Strittmatter made a brief appearance in the major leagues.
Sharma says the Cubs should make the whole coaching staff announcement shortly. Holmes and Strittmatter will complete a set of previously announced additions to the offensive staff that include Ryan Flaherty as bench coach, returning hitting coach Dustin Kelly, and newcomer John Mallee as assistant hitting coach. Returning to their roles as primary and assistant pitching coaches, respectively, are Tommy Hottovy and Daniel Moskos. The base coaches Mike Napoli and Willie Harris will be back.
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