According to league sources, the Arizona Diamondbacks have agreed to terms with Don Baylor to become the team’s next hitting coach, replacing Jack Howell.
Baylor played for 19 seasons in the Big Leagues and won the American League MVP award in 1979. Since retiring, he’s managed the Colorado Rockies (1993-98) and Chicago Cubs (2000-02), in addition to serving as batting coach for the Milwaukee Brewers, St. Louis Cardinals, Atlanta Braves, Seattle Mariners and the Rockies.
Per new General Manager Kevin Towers’ list of priorities, Baylor will have his work cut out for him in finding ways to lower the team’s strikeouts, which were considerable last season (1,529) and broke the all-time Major League record.