MIAMI (AP) – Rachel Balkovec, a trailblazer in the world of baseball, has been appointed as the Marlins’ director of player development, sources familiar with the matter have disclosed. While the news has not been officially confirmed by the club, Balkovec’s appointment marks a major milestone in her already esteemed career.
Balkovec, 36, has extensive experience in the Minor League landscape, having worked in various roles across three organizations since beginning her professional baseball journey in 2012. Most recently, she served as the Class A skipper for the Yankees, making her the first woman to hold such a position.
Known for her expertise in cutting-edge analytics, Balkovec’s background in the field traces back to her education in exercise science at Creighton and New Mexico universities. As a former NCAA Division I catcher for their softball teams, she then pursued a master’s degree in kinesiology from LSU in 2012.
Following her studies, Balkovec ventured into the baseball realm, initially serving as an interim strength and conditioning coach for the Cardinals’ organization. Her exceptional work with the Rookie Advanced Johnson City team earned her the prestigious Appalachian League Award for Strength Coach of the Year. In 2014, she made history as the first woman to be hired as a full-time professional baseball coordinator. Two years later, the Astros brought her on board as the organization’s Latin America strength and conditioning coordinator. Eventually, she joined the club’s Double-A affiliate as the strength and conditioning coach in 2018.
Continuing to expand her knowledge in the field, Balkovec pursued her master’s at Vrije Universiteit in the Netherlands, focusing her research on human movement sciences with an emphasis on biomechanics. She has since conducted extensive research on eye tracking for hitters and hip movement for pitchers at Driveline Baseball, a data-driven performance center. Additionally, Balkovec coached in the Australian Baseball League after the cancellation of the 2020 Minor League season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Her impressive credentials led to her appointment as a member of the coaching staff for the 2021 SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game at Coors Field.
Balkovec’s hiring comes as part of the Marlins’ recent restructuring efforts under new president of baseball operations Peter Bendix. Alongside Gabe Kapler as assistant general manager and Vinesh Kanthan as director of baseball operations, Bendix seeks to revamp the organization. The Marlins bid farewell to director of player development Geoff DeGroot in September 2022, with Hector Crespo temporarily stepping in without the official title. The team’s farm system has faced challenges in developing homegrown position players in recent years, impacting its rankings on MLB Pipeline. Various factors, including drafting, development, and Trade Deadline moves, have influenced the team’s prospects for the 2023 postseason.
In summary, Rachel Balkovec has been named the Marlins’ director of player development, making her the first woman to hold the position. With a background in cutting-edge analytics and a trailblazing career in professional baseball, Balkovec brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the role. Her appointment is part of the organization’s broader efforts to restructure and strengthen its farm system, aiming to cultivate future talent for the Marlins.