A year ago, the Red Sox made major league history by becoming the first organization to employ two female coaches. Now, both of those coaches have departed the organization.
Bianca Smith, a minor league coach since 2020, and Katie Krall, who was a development coach for Double-A Portland last season, have both chosen to leave the organization, according to The Boston Globe. The Red Sox announced their entire player development and minor league coaching staffs Friday.
Both Smith and Krall were invited back but chose to leave. Smith, who was the first Black woman to be hired as a coach for a big league organization, left after her contract expired after last season. Krall is expected to pursue front office opportunities with other teams.
- Sports betting is coming to the state of Massachusetts. Learn more about the anticipated online sportsbooks such as FanDuel MA and DraftKings MA
“[The offer] was still a coaching position; it just wasn’t where I wanted to be,” Smith told the Globe. “I just decided that it was a better fit for me to try to find something else. I absolutely loved my time there. I even told them, I would love to come back if the position was a good fit.
“I know any time [another] team calls and asks about me, [the Red Sox] have been saying positive things,” Smith said. “Of course, teams have been asking why I’m leaving. It’s pretty much the same thing. Just looking for a different opportunity.”
Here’s Boston’s press release on their 2023 player development and coaching staffs:
Shawn Haviland has been promoted to Director, Pitching Development, his fifth season working with the organization’s minor league pitchers. Jason Ochart joins the Red Sox as Director, Hitting Development & Program Design, after working with the Philadelphia Phillies as Hitting Coordinator. Andrew Wright joins the organization as Field Coordinator, after serving as the New York Yankees’ Director of Dominican Republic Baseball Operations. David Besky has been hired as Coordinator, Player Development, and will be based out of Fort Myers, Florida. Prior to joining the Red Sox, he worked at Driveline Baseball Enterprises. Ryan Jackson transitions into a new role as Special Assistant, Player Development, following four years as the Red Sox’ Minor League Field Coordinator.
Joining the organization is Catching Coordinator Tyson Blaser, who last season managed High-A Hudson Valley in the New York Yankees organization. Pitching Coordinator Chris Mears transitions to the organization’s upper levels, while the Red Sox have hired Nick Otte as Pitching Coordinator to focus on the lower levels. Otte most recently spent time as a pitching coach at the University of Central Florida. After serving as the Red Sox’ Coordinator, Player Development, Harry Roberson transitions to the role of Hitting Coordinator, with a focus on the organization’s lower levels. Joining the Red Sox organization is John Soteropulos, who will be based out of Fort Myers as Roving Complex Hitting Coach. Prior to joining the Red Sox, he worked as a hitting trainer at Driveline.
Oscar Gutierrez joins the organization as Mental Skills Coordinator, previously working in similar roles with the Cleveland Guardians and Cincinnati Reds. Shaun Owen has been promoted to Sport Science Coordinator, after spending the last two seasons in the organization as a sport scientist.
Minor League Field Staffs:
Triple-A Worcester
Manager: Chad Tracy
Bench Coach: Jose Flores
Pitching Coach: Paul Abbott
Bullpen Coach: Matt Wheeler
Hitting Coach: Rich Gedman
Assistant Hitting Coach: Michael Montville
Development Coach: Brendan Connolly
Athletic Trainers: Scott Gallon, Nick Kuchwara
Strength & Conditioning Coach: Ben Chadwick
Massage Therapist: Edwin Rodriguez
Double-A Portland
Manager: Chad Epperson
Pitching Coach: Sean Isaac
Hitting Coach: Doug Clark
Coaches: Mickey Jiang, Pablo Cabrera
Development Coach: TBD
Athletic Trainer: Bobby Stachura
Strength & Conditioning Coach: Joe Hudson
High-A Greenville
Manager: Iggy Suarez
Pitching Coach: Bob Kipper
Hitting Coach: Chris Hess
Coach: Taylor Jackson
Development Coach: Alex Reynolds
Athletic Trainer: Charysse Berkowski
Strength & Conditioning Coach: Donny Gress
Single-A Salem
Manager: Liam Carroll
Bench Coach: Ozzie Chavez
Pitching Coach: Jason Blanton
Hitting Coach: Nelson Paulino
Coach: Chase Illig
Development Coach: Juan Rivera
Athletic Trainer: Jacob Loughman
Strength & Conditioning Coach: Spencer Ducheny
Fort Myers Complex
Managers: Jimmy Gonzalez, Tom Kotchman
Pitching Coaches: Brett Merritt, Andres Rodriguez
Hitting Coaches: Josh Prince, Junior Zamora
Coach: TBD
Athletic Trainer: Marissa Sciabarra
Strength & Conditioning Coach: Ricky De Luna
Dominican Republic Academy
Latin American Field Coordinator: Jose Zapata
Managers: Sandy Madera, Amaury Garcia
Pitching Coaches: Oscar Lira, TBD
Hitting Coaches: Eider Torres, TBD
Coaches: Juan Hernandez, Carlos Vallejo, Claudio Sanchez, Leonel Vazquez
Development Coaches: TBD
Athletic Trainers: Tyler Lough, TBD
Strength & Conditioning Coaches: Antonio Diaz, Danny Gutierrez
Ad Choices