As the 2024 MLB season draws near, the Chicago Cubs are planning to make more adjustments to its front office personnel.
According to The Athletic, they have now appointed Jason Kanzler as their new director of player development. For the previous three seasons, Kanzler was an assistant hitting coach with the Houston Astros.
Jared Banner, who served as the Vice President of Player Development before being elevated to the position of Assistant General Manager this offseason, is effectively being replaced by Kanzler.

After assisting in building one of MLB’s most formidable offences and leading Houston to their second consecutive World Series victory in 2022, Kanzler left his mark on the Astros.
After declaring retirement from baseball in 2015, the 33-year-old worked at a variety of odd jobs in the baseball industry until being added to the Astros’ Big League staff in 2019.
Although Kanzler is getting a big step up in his career, he has shown that he can manage it after succeeding at a reputable company like Houston’s.

Although Kanzler’s departure is the Astros’ latest, Chicago has made a good addition.