The Cincinnati Reds are set to lose a key member of their coaching staff to the Arizona Diamondbacks. Third-base coach J.R. House will be joining Arizona as their new third-base coach, while also taking on responsibilities as catching coach.
House has been with the Reds since 2019, contributing not only at third base but also heavily working with the team’s catchers. His experience and versatility made him a valuable part of Cincinnati’s coaching staff.
The move to Arizona allows House to live in his home state year-round, a significant personal factor in his decision. “Being in Cincinnati was awesome,” House said. “Just a tremendous experience overall. Learned a lot and made a lot of lifelong friends. But at the same time, we live in Arizona. This is home.”
House’s departure leaves a vacancy at third base for the Reds, who will need to fill the role ahead of the 2026 season. This comes after reports that the entire coaching staff under manager Terry Francona was asked to return this offseason.
Cincinnati finished the 2025 season with an 83-79 record, reaching the postseason for the first time since 2020. Their season ended in the National League Wild Card series, where they lost two games to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
House’s move underscores the fluidity of coaching staff positions in Major League Baseball, with teams often making adjustments to optimize both performance and personal circumstances for their coaches.
For the Reds, filling the third-base coach position will be a priority, as the role is vital for in-game strategy, base running decisions, and player development, especially for catchers.
Overall, while the Reds will miss House’s contributions, the transition allows him to continue his coaching career closer to home while giving the Diamondbacks a versatile and experienced addition to their staff.
