New York Yankees make groundbreaking hire with Rachel Balkovec

Rachel Balkovec has already made plenty of baseball history. She had been the Cardinals’ strength and conditioning coordinator for the farm system beginning in 2011, moving to a similar role with the Astros in 2016. Balkovec was then hired as a minor league hitting coach with the New York Yankees, a position she has held since the start of the 2019 season.

She is set to make even more history in 2022. Balkovec has been named as the manager of the Low-A Tampa Tarpons for the upcoming year.

Rachel Balkovec set to make more history with New York Yankees

Balkovec had already been the first female to hold each of those positions in affiliated ball. The 34 year old is now set to become the first female manager in affiliated ball as well, beginning her move up the coaching ranks.

There are going to be plenty of eyes on the Tarpons this season. Balkovec is going to garner plenty of attention, her moves receiving far more scrutiny than would be the case with any beginning manager in the minors. If the team struggles in terms of wins and losses, she may hear far more vitriol from the stands than she should.

Not only will plenty of people be watching, but she may be under intense pressure. As the first female manager in affiliated ball, she is blazing the path for others who wish to follow in her footsteps.

This is not going to be much different than in the past. She had already been facing pressure as the first female to hold her previous roles. The only difference is that being the manager will make her a lot more visible. While that may lead to unwanted pressure and notoriety, it is also exactly what this sport needs to attract more fans and show that they are serious about inclusion.

The New York Yankees have named Rachel Balkovec as the manager of the Low-A Tampa Tarpons. She is continuing to make history in this role.