Imagine clinging to a few trusted allies amid a whirlwind of upheaval – that's exactly what the Colorado Rockies are doing with their coaching staff right now, and it might just be the stability this struggling team desperately needs to bounce back.
This week, the Rockies made some key announcements about their coaching lineup, bringing back a handful of familiar names in roles that echo their recent past. Andy Gonzalez is set to reprise his duties as the third base coach, while Jordan Pacheco will continue as the assistant hitting coach. Meanwhile, Ron Gideon, who has long handled first base and outfield coaching responsibilities, is shifting to a fresh position: assistant bench coach. For those new to baseball, these roles are crucial – the third base coach signals runners when to dash home, the hitting coach refines batters' techniques, and bench coaches assist with in-game strategy from the dugout.
These moves offer a glimmer of consistency for a franchise that's undergone massive transformations lately. The Rockies have endured a tough stretch of defeats in recent seasons, leading to the dramatic decision to let go of manager Bud Black back in May. Stepping in temporarily as manager was Warren Schaeffer, who had been the third base coach. That shake-up prompted Gonzalez to step up from assistant hitting coach to take over Schaeffer's old spot at third base. Pacheco, meanwhile, started the year as the hitting coach for the Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes – Colorado's top minor league affiliate – before getting called up to the majors as assistant hitting coach during that same turbulent period.
But here's where it gets really interesting – and a bit chaotic. After the season wrapped up, the team also said goodbye to general manager Bill Schmidt, creating a leadership void at the top. With no clear direction from the front office, all major decisions, including the coaching staff and even the managerial role, were put on ice. The new baseball operations head would ultimately weigh in on whether Schaeffer stayed on, and only once that was settled could the rest of the puzzle pieces fall into place.
Fast forward to early November, and the Rockies finally brought in Paul DePodesta as their new president of baseball operations – a big-league executive known for his analytical approach to the game. Just weeks later, they confirmed that Schaeffer would remain as the full-time manager, or 'skipper' in baseball lingo.
In the couple of weeks since then, Schaeffer has been busy assembling his team with some exciting new additions. Joining the staff are Alon Leichman as pitching coach (focusing on starting pitchers and overall mound strategy), Gabe Ribas as assistant pitching coach, Matt Buschmann handling bullpen duties (managing the relief pitchers who come in late in games), Brett Pill as the main hitting coach, and Jeff Pickler stepping in as bench coach.
And this is the part most people miss: while these announcements bring back a few known quantities, it's worth noting that Gonzalez and Pacheco only landed their current titles amid the May upheaval following Black's exit. Gideon's role switch adds to the sense that every position has seen some turnover in the last eight months alone. It's like the entire staff got a fresh coat of paint, but with a few original colors peeking through.
Let's dive a bit deeper into these returning coaches' backgrounds, as their experience could be a game-changer. Andy Gonzalez has called the Rockies organization home for 11 years, mostly honing his skills in the minor leagues where players develop before hitting the big leagues. He joined the major league staff as assistant hitting coach in 2022 and was just settling into his fourth year there when the mid-season shift to third base coach came along. Before coaching, Gonzalez had a brief playing career in the majors from 2007 to 2009, suiting up for the Chicago White Sox, Cleveland Indians (now Guardians), and Florida Marlins (now Miami Marlins). His journey from player to coach exemplifies the kind of insider knowledge that can mentor young talent.
Jordan Pacheco, on the other hand, brings a player's perspective from his own major league days between 2011 and 2016. He spent significant time with the Rockies, along with stops at the Arizona Diamondbacks and Cincinnati Reds – teams where he showcased his versatility at the plate. The Rockies welcomed him back in 2022 as a hitting coach in the minors, a smart move to leverage his familiarity with the organization's style of play, especially at the hitter-friendly Coors Field in Denver.
Ron Gideon rounds out this trio with an incredible 30 years of service to the Rockies, primarily in the minor leagues but with the last nine seasons on the major league coaching staff. Since 2019, he's been the first base coach, helping runners decide when to stretch singles into doubles or steal bases. His transition to assistant bench coach keeps his expertise in the fold, but it leaves one spot open: the team still needs to fill the first base coach vacancy before spring training heats up next year.
Photo courtesy of Allan Henry, Imagn Images
Now, here's a point that could stir up some debate among fans – is retaining these coaches a sign of smart continuity, or does it risk keeping the same old patterns that led to those losing seasons? After all, in a sport where fresh ideas can spark turnarounds, holding onto the status quo might feel too conservative. What do you think? Should the Rockies have cleaned house entirely, or is blending old and new the key to success? Drop your thoughts in the comments below – I'd love to hear if you're optimistic about this mix or calling for even more changes!
