Astros announce additions to coaching staff & baseball operations staff

HOUSTON, TX - The Houston Astros have announced the following updates to the Major League coaching staff and Baseball Operations staff:

Major League Coaching staff

Jason Kanzler will join the Astros coaching staff as Major League Coach in 2022. Kanzler has spent the past three seasons in the Astros minor league system, most recently serving as minor league Hitting Coordinator in 2021. Prior to that, he was the hitting coach for Fayetteville in 2019 and then at the Astros alternate training site in 2020. Prior to becoming a coach, Kanzler played three seasons in the Minnesota Twins minor league system as an outfielder.

Returning to the Major League staff in 2022 will be: Alex Cintron (hitting coach), Michael Collins (Major League coach), Joe Espada (bench coach), Dan Firova (quality assurance), Omar Lopez (first base), Josh Miller (pitching coach), Bill Murphy (pitching coach), Gary Pettis (third base), Troy Snitker (hitting coach).

Front Office Staff

Andrew Ball and Scott Powers have each been hired as Assistant General Managers, joining Pete Putila, who will return for his third season as an Assistant General Manager.

Ball has spent the past five seasons serving as Director of Baseball Operations for the Los Angeles Angels, assisting with Major League roster management, player contracts, player procurement, salary arbitration, and amateur scouting. Prior to that, he was Assistant Director, Professional Scouting for the Tampa Bay Rays. For the Astros, Ball will aid in the overall vision of the Baseball Operations Department, with a primary focus on the Major League roster, which will include rules compliance, contract negotiations and roster composition.

Powers joins the Astros after serving as Director, Quantitative Analysis for the Los Angeles Dodgers for the past three seasons. In that role, Powers assisted in player evaluation, player development and in-game strategy. For the Astros, his primary focus will be on Research and Development, Performance Science and other departments that will continue to move the Astros forward in analysis and innovation.

In 2022, Putila’s oversight will expand to Player Development, Player Evaluation and Sports Medicine and Performance. He will also assist all areas of Baseball Operations.

Sara Goodrum has been hired as the Astros Director of Player Development. She joins the Astros after serving as minor league Hitting Coordinator for the Milwaukee Brewers in 2021. Prior to that, she spent three seasons as the Brewers Integrative Sports Performance Coordinator. In her role with the Astros, Goodrum will oversee all Player Development staff and collaborate with coordinators on the core duties of the recruiting, hiring and development of the Player Development staff. She will also spearhead the formation and execution of coaching philosophies as well as the formation and execution of the Player Development goal process.

Staff Promotions

*Jacob Buffa has been promoted to Director of Performance Science. He had previously served as Sport Science Analyst. Buffa will oversee Biomechanics and Sport Science, which will include the recruiting, hiring and development of the Sport Science and Biomechanics staff. He will also assist with technology acquisition, data collection and research.

*Charles Cook, who had served as Director, Player Evaluation, has been promoted to Senior Director. Cook will oversee both Amateur and International Scouting to assure that both areas are well-coordinated in signing amateur talent.

*Matt Hogan has been promoted to Director, Player Personnel. He had previously served as Manager, Pro Scouting. Hogan will continue to guide the Astros efforts in player evaluation and acquisition.

*Will Sharp has been promoted to Special Advisor to Baseball Operations. He had previously served as Manager, Major League Strategy. Sharp will provide insights and evaluation of players and methodologies across the Baseball Operations Department.

“The additions of Andrew, Scott, Sara and others, combined with the expanded roles and responsibilities of many of our current staff are exciting changes for the Astros that will enable us to continue to be at the forefront of all areas of Baseball Operations,” said Astros General Manager James Click. “We’re excited to add their fresh perspectives and to see our staff continue to evolve as we strive for long-term, sustained success at all levels of the Astros organization.”