| Chris Valaika | |
|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg) Valaika with theCleveland Guardians in 2023 | |
| Cincinnati Reds – No. 76 | |
| Infielder /Hitting coach | |
| Born: (1985-08-14)August 14, 1985 (age 40) Santa Monica, California, U.S. | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| August 24, 2010, for the Cincinnati Reds | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| September 28, 2014, for the Chicago Cubs | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Batting average | .238 |
| Home runs | 5 |
| Runs batted in | 24 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
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Christopher Andrew Valaika (born August 14, 1985) is a former professionalbaseballinfielder and the currenthitting coach for theCincinnati Reds ofMajor League Baseball (MLB). He played for the Reds,Miami Marlins, andChicago Cubs. He was formerly an assistant hitting coach for the Cubs.
Valaika was born on August 14, 1985, in Santa Monica, California, to Jeffrey and Ilona Valaika. He is the oldest son of five children. Valaika is an American of Lithuanian descent. Valaika attendedHart High School in Santa Clarita, California, and attended college at theUniversity of California-Santa Barbara. He was a member of theU.S. National Team, and won the silver medal at the U-18 Pan Am Cup inCuracao-Antilles and the gold medal at the 2004World University Baseball Championship inTaiwan.
TheCincinnati Reds drafted Valaika in the third round of the2006 Major League Baseball draft, and he started his pro career with the rookie–levelBillings Mustangs. Chris hit .324 with 22 doubles and eight home runs with the Mustangs, and led thePioneer League in total bases (143)and hits (89); was second in runs scored (58), RBI (60), and games played (70); and third in extra-base hits (34) and at-bats (275). He compiled a Pioneer League record 32-game hit streak, the longest in the Minor Leagues in 2006.
Valaika started 2007 with the Low–ADayton Dragons, where he had two 11-game hit streaks. He was the Reds' Minor League player of the month for April. His play earned him the starting shortstop for the East Division in theMidwest League All-Star game and a spot on the postseason All-Star team. He was promoted to High–ASarasota on July 4, where he batted .253 with two home runs and 23 RBI in 57 games.
Valaika spent 2008 with Sarasota and the Double–AChattanooga Lookouts. In a combined 129 games, he batted .317 with 18 home runs, 82 RBI, and nine stolen bases. He led all Reds minor leaguers in average and was second in RBI. His performance again earned him the Reds' Minor League Player of the Month for April. He played for the U.S. in the 2008All-Star Futures Game, and was a mid-seasonFlorida State League All-Star. He had an 18-game hit streak, which was the second longest in theSouthern League. Valaika received theChief Bender Award for Reds' Minor League Player of the Year in 2008.
He played for thePeoria Javelinas in theArizona Fall League, where he batted .311 with two doubles, a triple, seven home runs, and 16 RBI in 32 games.
On November 20, 2009, the Reds added Valaika to their40-man roster to protect him from theRule 5 Draft.[1]
Valaika made his Major League debut on August 24, 2010. In his first career at-bat, Valaika got his first Major League hit - a single off ofSantiago Casilla - on the first pitch he saw.
Valaika was also called up for a brief stint with the Reds in 2011 to fill in for the injuredScott Rolen.[2]
In 2013, Valaika was one of severalMiami Marlins players verbally assaulted byhitting coachTino Martinez, resulting in Martinez's resignation.[3] With theNew Orleans Zephyrs, he hit .235, with 7 doubles, 4 homers, 15 RBI, and 1 stolen base. Before his wrist injury, he played 1st base, 2nd base, 3rd base, and shortstop for the Marlins. He hit .219, with 5 doubles, 1 homer, 9 RBI, and no stolen bases when he was up with the Marlins.[4]
He became a free agent on October 1, 2013.[5]
On November 17, 2013, Valaika agreed to a minor-league deal with an invitation to Spring Training with the Chicago Cubs. Valaika would add depth to third base with minor-league inviteeMat Gamel.
On August 1, 2014, Valaika was called up to the Cubs in the wake of the team tradingEmilio Bonifacio andJames Russell to theAtlanta Braves. On August 20, 2014, Valaika hit his first home run as a member of the Chicago Cubs. After the season, he was outrighted off the roster. He re-signed with the Cubs after the season.[6]
On November 4, 2021, theCleveland Guardians hired Valaika to serve as their hitting coach, replacingTy Van Burkleo.[7]
On October 24, 2024, Valaika was hired to serve as the hitting coach for theCincinnati Reds.[8]
Valaika's younger brother,Pat Valaika, played for theColorado Rockies andBaltimore Orioles.[9]
· Baseball Almanac
