Balkovec preparing daily for historic managing debut
Bryan Hoch
@BryanHochTAMPA, Fla. -- At some point this spring, Aaron Boone will hand the keys to the George M. Steinbrenner Field manager¡¯s office over to Rachel Balkovec, who is preparing to lead the Low-A Tampa Tarpons on what promises to be a historic journey through the Minor League schedule.
It has been six weeks since the Yankees announced Balkovec¡¯s promotion to become the first female manager in affiliated professional baseball. A great deal of attention will be placed upon April 8, when the Tarpons open their regular season. But Balkovec said that she remains focused on the here and now.
¡°These guys are here to prepare,¡± Balkovec said at the Yankees¡¯ player development complex, where the club is running a Minor League mini-camp. ¡°I¡¯m here studying every morning, watching video and going through my day, learning aspects of defense that I haven¡¯t really been paying close attention to as a hitting coach. I¡¯m grateful for this time right now.¡±
Balkovec¡¯s promotion generated a groundswell of congratulations from the sports world, including her favorite, a celebratory message from tennis legend and equal rights advocate Billie Jean King. She spent last season as a hitting coach in the rookie-level Florida Complex League, and she said it has been fun to hear the Yankees¡¯ Minor Leaguers calling her ¡°Skip.¡±
¡°If you¡¯re with the Yankees, [increased attention] is just a part of the gig,¡± Balkovec said. ¡°I view it as another part of my job that I have to hone those skills. It¡¯s part of my day; I don¡¯t think it¡¯s any different than what I do out here [on the field]. It¡¯s just the responsibility I have.¡±
Balkovec has been a coach in professional baseball for a decade, becoming the first female full-time hitting coach in an MLB organization when she took on her previous role in 2019. She coached in the Australian Baseball League after the COVID-19 pandemic canceled the 2020 Minor League season, and she was on the coaching staff for the 2021 All-Star Futures Game.
As she ascended through the Yankees' organizational ranks, Balkovec received rave reviews from colleagues, including vice president of player development Kevin Reese. Dillon Lawson, the Yanks¡¯ current big league hitting coach, recommended that general manager Brian Cashman promote Balkovec to the FCL hitting coach position.
¡°Getting the opportunity to set a standard is always a privilege,¡± Balkovec said. ¡°It¡¯s something that I¡¯ve done my whole life, and wanted to do my whole life. This [managerial] role is just a little bit more of that, so in a good way, it feels like something that¡¯s even more natural to me than being a hitting coach.¡±
During her time in the organization, Balkovec has worked closely with several of New York's top prospects, including Jasson Dominguez, the franchise's No. 2 prospect (and No. 17 overall) per MLB Pipeline. It is possible that Balkovec¡¯s first lineup card will feature the switch-hitting Dominguez in center field.
¡°I just get excited to have him in the clubhouse,¡± Balkovec said. ¡°We have a great relationship. I know he¡¯s going to have my back and be a good communicator to players. I think having that strong relationship is going to be great to have him on the squad, and obviously have him run down a few balls with his speed. That never hurts.¡±