Mark Grace named new hitting coach for Arizona Diamondbacks affiliate

Former Chicago Cubs fan favorite Mark Grace will continue to work within the Arizona Diamondbacks organization, this time as the hitting coach for the Hillsboro Hops.

Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Grace served as the Diamondbacks television color commentator from 2007 to 2012 and was indicted on four felony counts for his DUI arrest in 2012. During his sentence, Grace was permitted work release, and Arizona hired him onto their player development staff at the Rookie League level.

"The Hillsboro Hops will be managed in 2014 by former major league catcher J.R. House, while the second-year franchise’s coaching staff will include a pair of major league all-stars: Mark Grace, who had more hits during the 1990s than any other major leaguer, joins the staff as hitting instructor; and Doug Drabek, the 1990 N.L. Cy Young Award winner, returns to Hillsboro for his second year as Hops pitching coach. Hillsboro native and former major leaguer Ben Petrick will be with the Hops for his second year as consultant."

The Hops play in the Portland, Oregon metropolitan area and drew 135,167 fans in their first season.

Grace, 49, was drafted in the 24th round of the 1985 amateur draft by the Cubs. During his 13 seasons with the Cubs he recorded 2,201 hits, 1,057 runs, 148 home runs and 1,004 RBIs, while hitting a .308/.386/.445/.832 line.

For more Chicago Cubs conversation and updates follow us on Twitter @CubbiesCrib and Like our Facebook page at Cubbies Crib.