New York Yankees Name Rachel Balkovec Manager of the Tampa Tarpons
The New York Yankees today announced that Rachel Balkovec has been named the manager of the Tampa Tarpons, the Yankees’ Low-A affiliate. Balkovec, 34, is the first full-time female manager in the history of affiliated baseball at the Major or Minor League levels. She joined the Yankees organization in November
The New York Yankees today announced that Rachel Balkovec has been named the manager of the Tampa Tarpons, the Yankees’ Low-A affiliate.
Balkovec, 34, is the first full-time female manager in the history of affiliated baseball at the Major or Minor League levels.
She joined the Yankees organization in November 2019 as a minor league hitting coach, becoming the first woman to be named to that role in the history of professional baseball (she was followed a few days later by Rachel Folden of the Chicago Cubs organization).
In the 2021 season, Balkovec served as a hitting coach for the Florida Complex League (FCL) Yankees, helping FCL Yankees batters lead the Florida Complex League in runs scored (366), home runs (65), RBI (312), slugging percentage (.465) and OPS (.843). The team also ranked second in walks (276), tied for second in triples (20), third in both batting average (.261) and on-base percentage (.378), fourth in hits (418), and sixth in doubles (90).
Balkovec was a member of the American League coaching staff for the 2021 SiriusXM Futures Game in Denver and was one of six women in uniform with Major League teams or their affiliates last season.
Prior to joining the Yankees, Balkovec spent three seasons with the Houston Astros organization, serving as the strength and conditioning coach for Double-A Corpus Christi in 2018 and the Rookie-level GCL Astros in 2017. She also worked as the Latin American strength and conditioning coordinator from 2016-17. Prior to that, she was the minor league strength and conditioning coordinator for the St. Louis Cardinals from 2014-15.
Balkovec was the first woman to be hired as a full-time strength and conditioning coach in affiliated baseball.
In between her stints with the Yankees and Astros, she served as an apprentice hitting coach for the Netherlands National Baseball and Softball programs while earning a master’s degree in biomechanics at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam in the Netherlands from 2018-19. As part of her education, Balkovec conducted research in eye-tracking for hitters at Driveline Baseball, a high-tech performance training center outside of Seattle, Wash.
Balkovec, who is bilingual, began her professional baseball career with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2012 as a minor league strength & conditioning coaching intern. She also worked with the Chicago White Sox during the 2013-14 offseason as a strength & conditioning coaching intern. Balkovec’s other stops and experiences include various roles at Arizona State University, the Arizona Fall League, Los Tigres del Licey of the Dominican Winter League and a 2020 hitting coach position with the Sydney Blue Sox of the Australian Baseball League.
The Omaha, Neb., native received her bachelor's degree in kinesiology and exercise science from the University of New Mexico (2006-09), where she was a catcher on the softball team. She then earned a master’s degree in sports administration from Louisiana State University (2010-11), while also serving as a graduate assistant strength and conditioning coach.
Tarpons cruise past Cardinals for fourth straight victory
TAMPA, Fla – The Tampa Tarpons (18-19) jumped out to an early lead and never looked back, shutting out the Palm Beach Cardinals (18-19), 8-0, Thursday evening at “The Tank.” Tampa’s offense erupted for six runs in the top of the first, sending 11 batters to the plate against Cardinals
Tarpons tally 21 total runs to sweep doubleheader
TAMPA, Fla – The Tampa Tarpons (17–19) came out firing on all cylinders Wednesday, exploding for 21 runs on 27 hits to complete a dominant doubleheader sweep of the Palm Beach Cardinals (18–18) at “The Tank”. Tampa’s bats were on fire all night, launching five home runs across both games.
Montero goes deep twice, Tarpons crush Cardinals 9-1
TAMPA, Fla – The Tampa Tarpons (15-19) turned in a commanding performance Tuesday night, using timely power and solid pitching to cruise past the visiting Palm Beach Cardinals (18-16) at “The Tank”, 9–1. 2B Hans Montero led the offensive charge for Tampa, launching two homers and driving in four runs.
Tarpons explode for 12 runs to take series finale
TAMPA, Fla. – For the second straight night, the Tampa Tarpons (11-16) lit up the scoreboard with 12 runs, cruising past the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels (14-13) in a commanding 12-4 rout at “The Tank”. The win clinched the series for the Tarpons, powered by standout performances from SS Owen
Lewis Leads Tarpons to Victory with Two Homers
TAMPA, Fla. –The Tampa Tarpons (10-16) unleashed an offensive onslaught at “The Tank” on Saturday, overpowering the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels (14-12) in a 12-5 victory to even their three-game series. LF Dillon Lewis smashed two home runs and 3B Owen Cobb also left the yard, leading a Tarpons attack
Trouble at “The Tank”, Tarpons fall to Mighty Mussels, 9-2
TAMPA, Fla. – The Tampa Tarpons (9-16) hosted the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels (14-11) for the first game of their three-game set at “The Tank” on Friday, falling short of the mark in a 9-2 loss. Despite standout performances from 1B Josue Gonzalez and LF Marshall Toole, the Tarpons couldn’t
Blue Jays Outlast Tarpons in Series Finale, 8-5
TAMPA, Fla. – The Tampa Tarpons (8-13) mounted a spirited comeback but fell short in an 8-5 loss to the Dunedin Blue Jays (12-9) in the series finale on Sunday at “The Tank”. Despite a three-run rally in the fourth and two more in the seventh, the Tarpons couldn’t overcome
Loáisiga Sharp in Rehab Assignment, Tarpons Fall 5-1
TAMPA, Fla. – The Tampa Tarpons (8-12) struggled to find their offensive rhythm on Saturday, falling 5-1 to the Dunedin Blue Jays (11-9) at "The Tank." However, there was a major silver lining: Yankees reliever RHP Jonathan Loáisiga made a successful MLB rehab appearance, breezing through a scoreless sixth inning.
Bauman’s brilliance not enough for Malmo Oat Milkers
TAMPA, Fla. – Despite a valiant effort, the Malmo Oat Milkers (8-11) fell short Friday afternoon, losing 4-2 to the Dunedin Blue Jays (10-9) at “The Tank”. LHP Tanner Bauman put together a great performance on the mound, tossing five no-hit innings before allowing a double in the sixth. He
Herring spins seven scoreless frames, Tarpons win 7-2
TAMPA, Fla. – The Tampa Tarpons (8-10) showcased their offensive and defensive prowess in a decisive 7-2 victory over the Dunedin Blue Jays (9-9) on Thursday at “The Tank”. Powered by standout performances from RHP Griffin Herring, LF Dillon Lewis, and 2B Austin Green, the Tarpons dominated early and sealed
Dunedin rallies past Tampa with four-run eighth
TAMPA, Fla. – The Tampa Tarpons (7–10) fell just short once again on Wednesday night, dropping a 6–5 heartbreaker to the Dunedin Blue Jays (9–8) at “The Tank”. A late four-run surge in the eighth inning propelled Dunedin to its second consecutive comeback win over Tampa. 2B Hans Montero led
Blue Jays break through late to top Tarpons, 6-3
TAMPA, Fla. – A tightly contested battle slipped away late as the Tampa Tarpons (7-9) fell to the Dunedin Blue Jays (8-8) to open the series Tuesday night at “The Tank”, 6-3. Dunedin used a three-run rally in the top of the eighth inning—fueled by timely hitting and a costly
Tarpons’ late rally falls short, drop finale to Flying Tigers 6-5
By Anthony Sagrestano TAMPA, Fla. – The Tampa Tarpons (2-1) failed to complete the Opening Weekend sweep and fell to the Lakeland Flying Tigers (1-2) on Sunday afternoon at “The Tank”, 6-5. Tampa stormed back from a 5-0 deficit to tie the game in the seventh but couldn't complete the
Tarpons tame Flying Tigers in Extras with Wilson’s Walk-off
TAMPA, Fla. – RF Tyler Wilson played hero as the Tampa Tarpons (2-0) walked-off the Lakeland Flying Tigers (0-2) in extra innings at “The Tank”, 7-6. With two on and two out in the bottom of the tenth, Wilson smashed a fly ball over the head of Lakeland’s Jackson Strong
Herring, Sanchez shine; Tarpons win Opening Night at “the Tank”
TAMPA, Fla. – The Tampa Tarpons (1-0) defeated the Lakeland Flying Tigers (0-1) on Opening Night at “The Tank”, 2-1. Tampa’s pitching powered the home team to victory, striking out a combined ten Flying Tigers while allowing just a single run. CF Brian Sanchez collected three hits on the night,
The Tampa Tarpons announce Season-Long Offerings at “The Tank”
TAMPA Fla. - The Tampa Tarpons are thrilled to kick off the 2025 Season Presented by BayCare in their new temporary home, “The Tank”! While the Rays take over the main stadium, the Tarpons will call the side field at GMS Field—nicknamed “The Tank”—home for the season. Despite the change
Tampa Tarpons announce move to Community Field for 2025 Season
Tampa, Fla. – The Tampa Tarpons have announced that for the 2025 season, the team will be playing on the Community Field at GMS Field (side field next to the tennis courts). This change is a result of the team offering its main stadium to the Tampa Bay Rays for
Yankees name Aaron Bossi as Tampa Tarpons’ next Manager
TAMPA, FL - The New York Yankees have announced the Tampa Tarpons’ 2025 coaching staff, led by new manager Aaron Bossi. Bossi replaces James Cooper, who will serve as the Hudson Valley Renegades’ manager in 2025. Bossi enters his ninth season in the Yankees organization and his first as manager
Tarpons drop season finale to Blue Jays, 4-2
TAMPA, Fla. - The Tampa Tarpons (30-32) dropped their season finale to the Dunedin Blue Jays (35-29) at GMS Field on Sunday afternoon. The Tarpons took the lead in the fifth, but the Blue Jays stormed back for three in the seventh to take the matinée, 4-2. RHP Andrew Landry
Toole’s late blast not enough, Tampa drops extra-inning contest to Dunedin
TAMPA, Fla. - The Tampa Tarpons (30-31) dropped an extra-innings thriller on Fan Appreciation Night to the Dunedin Blue Jays (34-29) at GMS Field on Saturday night. The Tarpons entered the ninth trailing by a run, until CF Marshall Toole brought the fireworks show a little early, sending a game-tying
Tarpons left blue after Jays sweep Friday doubleheader
TAMPA, Fla. - The Tampa Tarpons (30-30) dropped both games of Friday’s twin bill to the Dunedin Blue Jays (33-29) at GMS Field. The Blue Jays came out firing in Game One, putting up ten runs, including an eight run second. The nightcap was a tight game until Dunedin broke
Tarpons drop opener in extras, suspend nightcap due to weather
TAMPA, Fla. - The Tampa Tarpons (30-28) dropped Game One of their doubleheader against the Dunedin Blue Jays (31-29) before the nightcap was rained out. The Blue Jays struck first in the first, and then the game was scoreless until Tampa scored in the fifth and the sixth to take
Tampa Postpones Game Against Dunedin
TAMPA, Fla. - Tonight’s game between the Tampa Tarpons and the Dunedin Blue Jays has been postponed due to lightning and continuous rain fall. The make-up game from tonight will be made up as part of a doubleheader on Thursday, September 5th, with the first pitch scheduled for 4:00pm. Game
Tampa Postpones Game Against Dunedin
TAMPA, Fla. - Tonight’s game between the Tampa Tarpons and the Dunedin Blue Jays has been postponed due to rain, lightning and a future forecast of continuous rain fall. The make-up game from tonight will be made up as part of a doubleheader on Thursday, September 5th, with the first
Tampa falls to Fort Myers in extra inning battle, 10-8
TAMPA, Fla. - The Tampa Tarpons (25-26) dropped a back-and-forth extra inning battle with the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels (32-18) Sunday afternoon at GMS Field. Tampa took the lead into the eighth, but some sloppy defense pushed the game to extras, where Fort Myers added three in the tenth inning