Arizona Diamondbacks longtime third-base coach Tony Perezchica is leaving the organization for a job with the Houston Astros, as first reported by azcentral’s Nick Piecoro and confirmed by MLB.com.
Perezchica has spent the last 22 seasons with the Diamondbacks, first as a minor league manager and eventually the third-base coach, a role he held since manager Torey Lovullo took over in 2017.
The former big leaguer has been an instrumental defensive instructor for Arizona’s infielders, a group that includes 2024 Gold Glove finalists Christian Walker and Ketel Marte.
Arizona has the fewest errors and most outs above average in MLB since the start of 2022 with Perezchica coaching the infielders and Dave McKay working with the outfielders. Before games, it was a common sight to see Perezchica leading various drills with infielders.
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He will reportedly take over as Houston’s third-base coach, as the Astros did not bring back Gary Pettis after 10 years.
The Diamondbacks will have to manage turnover throughout the coaching staff.
Perezchica joins pitching coach Brent Strom, assistant pitching coach Dan Carlson and bullpen coach Mike Fetters as staff members who will not return. The three pitching coaches were let go soon after the D-backs missed the postseason with an 89-73 record.
Paired with the free agent status of Walker and Paul Sewald, club options for Eugenio Suarez and Merrill Kelly along with mutual options for Randal Grichuk and Joc Pederson, there is a lot on Arizona’s plate entering a key offseason in which the club has goals to return to October baseball in 2025.