- Rachel Balkovec managed the Tampa Tarpons, the Single-A affiliate of the Yankees
- Balkovec previously worked as a conditioning coach at St. Louis and Houston
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According to reports, the Miami Marlins have hired pioneer Rachel Balkovec as director of their farm.
Balkovec, 36, is making history as she became the first woman to manage an affiliated minor league team.
Balkovec led for the past two years the New York Yankees‘Single-A affiliate, the Tampa Tarpons, amassed a record of 122-136.
She now takes on the role of director of player development for the Marlins. Typically, company directors oversee more than 150 players, as well as dozens of managers and coaches.
Before beginning her professional baseball career in 2012, Balkovec was a catcher for the Creighton University softball team before transferring to the University of New Mexico.
The Marlins have hired Rachel Balkovec as farm director responsible for player development
Balkovec previously managed the New York Yankees’ Single-A affiliate, the Tampa Tarpons
Balkovec also worked as a strength and conditioning coach for Houston and St. Louis
Balkovec also made history when she became the first woman to serve as a full-time hitting coach within an MLB organization – working with the Yankees Florida Complex League team.
Balkovec served as strength and conditioning coach for St. Louis and Houston before joining the Yankees as hitting coach. She would eventually grow into a managerial position.
Balkovec is the latest addition from new Marlins general manager Peter Bendix. Bendix’s predecessor, Kim Ng, was the first female general manager in Major League Baseball. Ng left the team last year after an unexpected appearance in the playoffs.
Balkovec has previously hinted that she too wants to become general manager in the future.