SAN DIEGO — The expectations placed on Rachel Balkovec are no different than any other Yankees coach: help the players improve.
“The whole thing is we are trying to make players better,’’ senior director of player development Kevin Reese said Tuesday at the winter meetings, where Balkovec was introduced as the team’s minor league hitting coach. “The answer to the most important question — does she make us better? — and the answer is yes.’’
At least that is the answer the Yankees are looking for from the 32-year-old former college catcher at Creighton and New Mexico whose professional baseball experience has been in the strength and conditioning arena. She has worked for the Cardinals and Astros on a part-time basis in those areas.
“I have a special interest in biomechanics and understanding how the body moves and applying certain things, like for example, if there is a restriction in movement can they spot those types of things,’’ Balkovec said when asked about her hitting philosophy. “How is that going to affect their swing mechanics and the ability to get something done in a game situation. Also, the visual side of things, what are the best strategies of things picking up the ball for recognizing a pitch? There are two sides of it, and I am not sure which one is more important at this point, but I am leaning more to the visual aspect not very many people are diving into I think at this point. It’s two-fold, understanding the body from a very base level and how it applies to the swing and action.’’
Brought into the Yankees’ organization by hitting coordinator Dillon Lawson, who worked with Balkovec in the Astros’ system, she will work with Gulf Coast (Rookie) League hitters and spend time in the Dominican Republic with teams. Balkovec will be in uniform for games.
Tutored some in the pitching side of the game, Balkovec is entrenched in her students attacking pitchers.
“With the hitting side of things, the most interesting thing for me is the mental side of it, where a guy is in a slump for 30 [at-bats], what do you do?’’ Balkovec said. “In strength and conditioning it is very clear cut. They come into the weight room, they lift the weight and they leave and there is success every day. Not a lot of mental component to it than when you are actually expected to put performance numbers together that your job is on the line for.’’
General manager Brian Cashman wasn’t present when Balkovec interviewed with Reese and his staff, but he was impressed with how Reese and Lawson spoke of her.
“The key for me was how Kevin Reese and Lawson raved, that was good enough for me,’’ said Cashman, who revealed that after the Yankees hired Balkovec the Giants offered her a major league position that she turned down. “We are glad she is still here.’’