Rachel Balkovec Becomes Marlins’ Director of Player Development
MIAMI – Rachel Balkovec has reached an agreement to become the Marlins’ director of player development, a source tells MLB.com. The club has not confirmed.
Balkovec, 36, is no stranger to the minor league environment, having worked at that level for three organizations since beginning her professional career in 2012. Over the past two seasons, she served as manager of the Class-A affiliate of the Yankees.
According to a story published by MiLB.com’s Rob Terranova, Balkovec has been well into the analytical numbers, starting with a bachelor’s degree in exercise science at Creighton and New Mexico, where she was an NCAA Division I catcher in her softball teams. Balkovec later earned a master’s degree in kinesiology from LSU in 2012.
Balkovec is the first woman to hold the director of player development role in Major League Baseball.
Balkovec is the latest acquisition to come under new president of baseball operations Peter Bendix, who has brought in Gabe Kapler (assistant general manager) and Vinesh Kanthan (director of baseball operations) as he restructures the organization.