PITTSBURGH -- The Pirates officially rounded out their coaching staff on Monday by hiring Jacob Cruz, formerly the Cubs' Minor League hitting coordinator, to be their new assistant hitting coach.
Cruz, 45, will join new hitting coach Rick Eckstein on manager Clint Hurdle's staff next season. Cruz spent the past two years in the Cubs organization, first as Double-A Tennessee's hitting coach and most recently as their Minor League hitting coordinator, following six years coaching in the D-backs' system.
The Pirates hired Eckstein on Nov. 2 and involved him in the interview process for the assistant hitting coach, as he and Cruz will work together on a daily basis.