The Top 100 coaches most likely to become MLB managers

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 29: Manager Bruce Bochy #15 of the San Francisco Giants looks on from the dugout before his last game as Giants manager, the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Oracle Park on September 29, 2019 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 29: Manager Bruce Bochy #15 of the San Francisco Giants looks on from the dugout before his last game as Giants manager, the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Oracle Park on September 29, 2019 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
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Don Kelly, Pittsburgh Pirates, MLB coaching staffs, MLB managers
Sep 16, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates bench coach Don Kelly (12) jogs across the field before the game against the Cincinnati Reds at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

77) Don Kelly

Don Kelly is entering his third season as the bench coach of the Pittsburgh Pirates and he has been a hot commodity for teams with managerial openings the last two offseasons.

Kelly, 42, was a utility player for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Detroit Tigers, and Miami Marlins for parts of nine seasons before hanging up his spikes after the 2016 season.

After retiring, he rejoined the Tigers as a scout for two years before getting into coaching. The Astros hired him as their first base coach for the 2019 season. He left the Astros after the season to join the Pirates.

Kelly interviewed with his former team (the Tigers) last offseason before they hired A.J. Hinch and the Red Sox also interviewed him before they re-hired Alex Cora. This offseason, the Mets were going to interview him before Kelly pulled himself out of consideration for their managerial job. They eventually hired Buck Showalter.

78) Mike Rabelo

Mike Rabelo joined the coaching staff of the Pittsburgh Pirates before the 2020 season but heading into 2022, he will be holding his third title in three seasons.

Rabelo, 42, was a catcher that appeared in parts of three seasons in the majors with Detroit and Miami before he called it quits after the 2010 season.

He immediately joined the Tigers as a minor league coach. He was a coach for one season in Rookie-ball and two seasons at Short-Season A before he started managing. He managed three seasons for the Tigers at Short-Season A and one season each at Single-A, Advanced-A, and Double-A through 2019.

In 2020, he joined the Pirates as their MLB assistant hitting coach before becoming their MLB field coordinator in 2021. That position entailed him taking a leadership position with “technology and innovation” as well as advising the team of MLB rules, in-game situations, and practice design.

In 2022, though, Rabelo will be the new third base coach for the team.