The Los Angeles Dodgers made the announcement on Tuesday, revealing several notable additions. Among them is former major leaguer Zach Reks, The 31-year-old appears to be transitioning away from his playing career and stepping into a new role focused on player development. He has been given a new appointment as a hitting instructor for the organization’s Arizona Complex League affiliate.
Reks, a left-handed hitting outfielder, had a brief stint in the major leagues with the Dodgers and the Texas Rangers between 2021 and 2022. Over the course of 22 MLB games, he struggled at the plate, posting a.205/.205/.227 slash line. Seeking new opportunities, he signed with the Lotte Giants of the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) for the 2023 season. However, his time overseas did not revive his career as hoped. Upon returning to the United States, Reks joined the San Diego Padres on a minor league deal last offseason, but his struggles continued. He batted just .127 over 64 games at the Double-A level, marking a disappointing end to his time as an active player.
Despite the challenges he faced in the majors and his final professional seasons, Reks was a highly productive hitter in the minor leagues. Over nearly 1,800 minor league plate appearances, he compiled an impressive.276/.372/.459 batting line, demonstrating strong on-base skills and solid power. His most dominant stretch came in Triple-A, where he hit .290/.388/.537 across 902 plate appearances—numbers that showcased his potential as a hitter and contributed to his eventual call-up to the big leagues.
Now, Reks will channel his experience into coaching, where he can mentor the next generation of Dodgers prospects. His knowledge of hitting mechanics, combined with firsthand experience navigating the difficult transition from the minors to the majors, makes him a valuable addition to the organization’s player development staff. The Dodgers have a strong track record of cultivating talent, and Reks will now have the opportunity to contribute to that legacy from a new perspective.
While his playing career may not have unfolded as he once envisioned, reaching the major leagues remains an impressive achievement, and his transition to coaching marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter. MLB Trade Rumors and the baseball community congratulate Reks on his career and wish him the best as he embarks on this next journey in the sport.
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