The Cincinnati Reds have officially hired Anthony Lapoce to serve as the team’s assistant hitting coach on manager Terry Francona’s staff. The 53‑year‑old Lapoce enters his tenth season on a Major League coaching roster, adding a wealth of experience to the Reds’ player‑development program.

Recent coaching background

Lapoce most recently spent the 2026 season as the assistant hitting coach for the Houston Astros. During his tenure, Houston led Major League Baseball with 226 home runs, the fifth‑most in a single‑season franchise history, highlighting the effectiveness of the hitting staff’s approach.

Earlier roles and achievements

Before his stint in Houston, Lapoce served two seasons as the first‑base coach for the Detroit Tigers, where the club reached the postseason in both years. In 2023, he managed Detroit’s Triple‑A affiliate in Toledo, marking his first professional managerial role.

Lapoce’s résumé also includes time as the major‑league hitting coach for the Texas Rangers from 2016 to 2018 and for the Chicago Cubs from 2019 to 2021. He was the senior hitting coordinator for the Boston Red Sox in 2022, following earlier organizational positions with the Cubs and the Toronto Blue Jays.

Playing career and personal notes

Drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 33rd round of the 1994 MLB Draft, Lapoce spent nine minor‑league seasons as an outfielder in the Brewers and Marlins systems. He currently resides in Williston Park, New York.

What the hire means for Cincinnati

By adding Lapoce, the Reds aim to strengthen their offensive strategy and player development under Francona’s leadership. The organization believes Lapoce’s track record of improving hitting performance at multiple clubs will help Cincinnati’s young talent reach its full potential.

Fans can look forward to seeing how Lapoce’s coaching philosophy translates to the Reds’ lineup as the season progresses.

Original reporting: WHIO-TV Dayton (local) — read the source article.