The Guardians are adding Andy McKay to their coaching staff with the title of field coordinator, reports Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. That job was previously held by Kai Correa, who departed last month to become bench coach for the Mets.
McKay has had an interesting career, oscillating between coaching and front office roles. He had been a coach in college ball for a number of years, before working for the Rockies in the minors as peak performance coordinator. Then he spent a long time working in the Mariners’ player development department, getting hired in October of 2015. That was not long after Jerry Dipoto had become Seattle’s general manager. Dipoto and McKay had worked together with the Rockies.
Going into the 2022 season, McKay was added to Seattle’s uniformed coaching staff with the title of major league coach and senior director of baseball development. However, as noted by Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times, he had to pivot back to the front office during spring training when his replacement left. One year later, he was promoted to assistant general manager. A year ago, the Mariners added vice president to his title.
“It’s sad for me, but I’m thrilled for him,” Mariners general manager Justin Hollander said of today’s news, per Divish. It’s noted by Divish that McKay has held his desire to coach since his collegiate coaching days. He almost got the chance with Seattle a few years ago but it didn’t work out.
He’ll now get to join a big league coaching staff in Cleveland, working under manager Stephen Vogt. The Guardians also lost their bench coach/associate manager when Craig Albernaz became manager of the Orioles, so perhaps another hiring is still to come.
Photo courtesy of Ken Blaze, Imagn Images
Can he hit and play the outfield?
Does he coordinate the field? How does one do that? Make sure the lawn is cut and the lines are drawn correctly?
I’m assuming Progressive Field coordinator, not just some random field.
McKay is a mental skills maestro! Loved hearing about him when he arrived in 2015, just a unique mind. I think he spearheaded a lot of the breathing exercises our young pitchers do in Seattle.
That’s weird.
Huge loss. I am bummed but happy for him. He has been a huge part of Mariners player development over the last 10 years. He has been perhaps the most important person on staff/in management when it comes to the Mariners drafts. We have a great farm system and he has been a huge reason why that is the case right now. He wants to be on the field coaching so I wish him all the best as he follows his passion for teaching the game.