Trio of Former Diamondbacks Reunites with Astros

Three former Diamondbacks reunited with the Astros in 2025

Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images) Bottom Photo: HOUSTON, TEXAS - JULY 30: Cooper Hummel #16 of the Houston Astros celebrates in the dugout after hitting a two-run home run during a game against the Washington Nationals at Daikin Park on July 30, 2025 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Houston Astros/Getty Images

August 12, 2025

Trio of Former Diamondbacks Reunites with Astros

HOUSTON — Although changing teams is part of baseball, as Free Agency and especially the Trade Deadline reminds us of every season — it’s never “good bye.” It’s “I’ll see you later.” One example is happening with the Houston Astros, as a trio of former Arizona Diamondbacks has reunited. Third base coach Tony Perezchica arrived with the Astros in the off-season with Cooper Hummel already on the team, and a few days later, to see the Astros sign Christian Walker. Hummel, through a series of roster moves, left the Astros after spring training but returned to the team June 7, where he stayed until the Astros designated him for assignment August 11.

Recently, this reporter spoke to each of the three. The first was Walker, who was one of the Astros’ biggest offseason acquisitions. While Walker was in Arizona, Perezchica — who doubles as the infield coach — worked infield drills with him daily, often starting well before the gates opened to fans. Walker even credited his three straight Gold Gloves to Perezchica’s tutelage.

Did Perezchica’s presence influence Walker’s decision to sign there, even a little?

“I probably would have come regardless,” Walker said. “But it was icing on the cake to have your guy, a familiar face. Tony’s changed my game, and it’s exciting to think about continuing to play with him.”

Tony Perezchica

Perezchica has greatly enjoyed his time in Houston, and getting Walker back was an added bonus that came a few days after he began coaching with the Astros. “A lot of good people here, like there are in Arizona,” he said. “The organization — very, very blessed. Great players, like I did (in Arizona). Good culture. Have definitely enjoyed it. The people here have been tremendous, from the GM all the way through all our coaches and our manager, Joe (Espada).” As for Walker, “I knew what we were getting here. He’s a guy that, when he’s hot, he can carry a team. I know defensively what he can do for our infielders. There’s always talk of, ‘Oh well, you know, he hasn’t been doing—’ No, no, no. He’s been doing his thing. Our infielders are always in a better position when he’s there. He’s definitely has helped.”

Cooper Hummel

Hummel was with the Astros organization in 2024, so he was the one welcoming Perezchica and Walker to the fold. But through a series of roster moves, Hummel was let go in the spring. He spent around two months with the New York Yankees’ Triple-A affiliate, the Scranton/Wilkes Barre RailRiders, before joining the Baltimore Orioles for one game. They also let him go, and a week later, the Astros signed him to a minor-league deal. One week later, after another Astro got hurt, they needed him again, and Hummel was right back with them.

“Whatever they ask of me, I’m here to do it,” a smiling Hummel said. As a bonus, Hummel got to be with one of his favorite coaches and one of his favorite teammates. “TP is the best,” he said. “The energy he brings everyday, the knowledge — he’s the master. He’s the best.” He added of Walker, “We really connect over hitting and are able to pick each other’s brains on things. Whether we’re feeling great or we’re not feeling great, I feel like I can always talk to him about anything, whether it’s baseball or life.”

“He’s such a good tool to have in the toolbox,” Walker said of Hummel. “He’s good at multiple positions. The switch hitting — it feels like there’s always a chance to get him in the game. And that’s super valuable, especially with what we have going on right now with all the injuries and as many guys banged up as we have. To have somebody that can play a bunch of different spots out in the field, one who seems like the matchup is always on his side? That’s an extremely valuable thing to have. So I was pumped to have him for sure.”

The Growth

Walker was on the field when Hummel made his major league debut on Opening Day 2022, so he has seen him grow as a player and as a person. “The skill set is great, and the ceiling is high. What I’m seeing is that he’s learning about himself, how he moves, and what his habits are.” Walker added that Hummel’s biggest asset is how much he cares about improving. “He wants to continue to move the needle and continue his journey toward being a dominant big-league player. He’ll put in the work, and he puts in the thought. He’s willing to go the extra mile. When you pair a good skill set with somebody who plays the game really hard, and then add this high level of care and awareness about who he is and who he wants to be? It’s a recipe for a really good player.”

When Hummel left Arizona, he told Walker and Perezchica, “I’ll see you later.” Perezchica and Walker said the same thing when Walker filed for free agency. And that’s exactly what happened.