The Houston Astros are facing another departure from their coaching staff, adding to the changes brought about by the retirement of manager Dusty Baker and the appointment of Joe Espada as his successor.
This time, it’s Jason Kanzler, who held the position of assistant hitting coach for the Astros, opting to move on and join the front office of the Chicago Cubs.
The 33-year-old Kanzler is set to take on the role of director of player development for the Cubs, as reported by The Athletic. Essentially, he will step into the shoes of Jared Banner, who was promoted to an assistant general manager position with the Northside team.
During his three-year tenure on the MLB coaching staff, Kanzler played a significant role in shaping a robust offensive foundation for the Astros. This foundation proved instrumental in securing the franchise’s second World Series championship in 2022.
Before ascending to the Major League coaching ranks, Kanzler had a diverse background in various roles within the baseball world and even pursued a career as a minor league player until 2015.
With his new position, Kanzler will assume leadership over all player development aspects for the Cubs, signifying a substantial increase in his responsibilities. At just 33 years old, his career appears poised for further growth, provided he can avoid any major setbacks during his tenure with Chicago.