White Sox announce full coaching staff for 2026

[Sleepy Harold]

 

[Autumn Dreamin]

Some tidbits on the new guys:

• Denorfia and Venable were platoon mates in RF for SD in 2012. He comes over from 5 years with the Rockies, managing AA and then as outfield/baserunning coordinator. Also was on the 2019 Cubs staff as quality assurance coach.
• Local product Tony Medina shares Schaumburg Boomers ties with Shomon. His most recent title there was director of analytics, was a hitting coach before that. Has also worked in development/analytics with TEX/KC/HOU. His Twitter header is "chicks dig the xwOBA" and his timeline (which includes back to back reposts of the Ishbia news and Teel's call up) suggest a Sox fandom that predates his hiring.
• Markinson is the youngest member of the staff at 22. He's coming off of being Northwestern's starting catcher in 2025. Signed as an UDFA with the Phillies, but decided to pivot from a playing career last month.
• Matt Wise is the oldest member of the staff...and he's only 50. His title has changed from assistant pitching coach to bullpen coach, and Bobby Hearn gets his old role. 3 pitching coaches feels new?
• Hearn comes over from the Twins where he was assistant pitching coordinator. He was teammates with freshman Shane Smith at Wake Forest. This might be the youngest staff in the league.
• The staff is bigger than last year, but no longer has a dedicated catching coach. McKinven will handle most of those duties now.
• Leger is currently managing a DWL team. He comes over from STL where he worked his way up from their DR complex to "assistant field and baserunning coordinator." Won a manager of the year honor for leading their AA team to a franchise wins record in 2024. Also spent 7 years managing in the Mets MiLB system. Winning record over 1300+ games in the minors, seems on track to be interviewing for MLB managerial openings sooner than later.

Definitely seems to be an emphasis on guys who can connect and communicate with players based on youth/playing experience/track record. Far cry from having TLR at the helm.

[Timmy U]

This is a young staff, but the youngest in the league is going to Washington. I think everyone is under 40. Pretty insane.

[Autumn Dreamin]

Sox still adding to the data/analytics side. This guy is coming off of a year in the SF org.

Pitching focus, has his own proprietary model listed on Linkedin/Github.

Worked with the SF A ball team, who were champs last season behind a pitching staff that led their league comfortably in ERA/WHIP.