DENVER – Former Twins and Reds coach Jeff Pickler is joining the Rockies as bench coach under manager Warren Schaeffer, the club announced Wednesday.
“We are beyond excited to bring Jeff Pickler onto the staff,” said Schaeffer. “His experience on the bench and the way he sees the game are going to be of immense value to the players, the rest of the staff, and me personally. He embodies a tireless work ethic and is obsessed with finding solutions. ‘Pick’ is a big addition for the Rockies. I can’t wait to get to work with him.”
Pickler, 49, was part of the Twins’ Major League coaching staff in 2017-18 and most recently was game planning and outfield coach for the Reds from 2019-24. Pickler has extended experience working for recently hired Rockies general manager Josh Byrnes, as a scout for the Diamondbacks and Padres when Byrnes was GM of those teams and with the Dodgers as a special assistant in player development and scouting from 2014-16.
He also has brief experience with the Rockies as a player. The Southeastern Conference Player of the Year in 1998 as an infielder, Pickler played eight seasons in the Minors – the last one being 2005 in the Rockies’ system at Triple-A Colorado Springs, where he batted .331 with five home runs and 50 RBIs.
Last season, the Rockies removed manager Bud Black and bench coach Mike Redmond in May, and Schaeffer moved from third-base coach to interim manager. The Rockies installed Clint Hurdle, who replaced Hensley Meulens as hitting coach in April, as Schaeffer’s bench coach. This offseason, new Rockies president of baseball operations Paul DePodesta promoted Schaeffer to full-time manager and the club has been building the coaching staff.
With the club still working though staffing, Hurdle and the Rockies have not announced a future role.
At his previous stops, Pickler used advanced information and new coaching techniques with players. His style is a further indication that Schaeffer’s staff will emphasize teaching. Even though the Rockies are seeking more experience for their roster, it still will be a young team. Just five players on the Major League roster – starting pitchers Kyle Freeland and Antonio Senzatela, relievers Jimmy Herget and Brennan Bernardino, and designated hitter Kris Bryant – have reached their 30th birthday.
The Rockies’ other Major League staff hires are in the pitching department – pitching coach Alon Leichman, assistant pitching coach Gabe Ribas and bullpen coach Matt Buschmann. The team also has hired Matt Daniels as director of pitching.