NEW YORK -- When Hal Steinbrenner spoke recently about how the Yankees intend to improve next season, the managing general partner mentioned cleaner baserunning and the need for fewer mental mistakes.
Steinbrenner specifically pointed to a sloppy three-game series against the Marlins in late July and early August, which included several glaring issues -- among them, Jazz Chisholm Jr. being doubled off on a popup to second base.
“The baserunning mistakes were not good,” Steinbrenner said. “So we’ve made a change there, coaching-wise, and we’re going to expect better results this coming year.”
Those moves became official on Thursday, as the Yankees announced their coaching staff for the upcoming season, including the promotion of Dan Fiorito as first-base/infield/baserunning coach.
Also added to manager Aaron Boone’s staff are assistant pitching coach Desi Druschel, who returns after one season in that same role with the Mets, and the promotion of Jake Hirst as assistant hitting coach.
Boone said earlier this offseason Hirst was offered a big league job elsewhere before his promotion.
“He’s earned this opportunity,” Boone said.
Rounding out the staff are the returns of bench coach Brad Ausmus, pitching coach Matt Blake, assistant pitching coach Preston Claiborne, hitting coach James Rowson, assistant hitting coach Casey Dykes, third-base/outfield coach Luis Rojas and Major League field coordinator and director of catching Tanner Swanson.
Three Yankees coaches did not have their contracts renewed after the season: first-base coach Travis Chapman and bullpen coach Mike Harkey. Assistant hitting coach Pat Roessler will also not return to his previous role, though general manager Brian Cashman said they would discuss alternatives for Roessler.
Fiorito, 35, is entering his ninth season in the Yankees' organization. He was the club’s Minor League outfield/infield coordinator from 2024-25 and the organization's roving infield/outfield instructor from 2022-23. He managed in the system for three years, working with the GCL Yankees East ('19), High-A Hudson Valley ('21) and Double-A Somerset ('22) after four seasons as an infielder.
Hirst, 30, will begin his seventh season as part of the organization. He was the club’s Minor League hitting coordinator this past year, and the assistant Minor League hitting coordinator in 2024. He has had hitting-coach stops with the GCL Yankees West ('19), High-A Hudson Valley ('21) and Double-A Somerset (2022-23) after beginning his coaching career at Augustana College (Ill.).