New Mets Hitting Coach Rachel Folden Brings Passion for Baseball

The 39-year-old was hired this offseason to be the organization's Double-A hitting coach at Binghamton.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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Rachel Folden, a 39-year-old former professional softball player, was hired this offseason as the Mets' Double-A hitting coach at Binghamton. Folden previously spent six seasons in the Cubs organization, working her way up to become the hitting coach for their Triple-A Iowa affiliate. Though she's not sure if getting to the majors is her ultimate goal, Folden is passionate about coaching and making players better, whatever level that's at.

Why it matters

Folden is one of the few women to hold an on-field coaching position in professional baseball, following in the footsteps of Alyssa Nakken, who was the first female major league coach with the Giants from 2020-24. Folden's hiring is part of a growing trend of women taking on more prominent roles in the male-dominated sport of baseball.

The details

Folden got her first job with the Cubs in November 2019, the same month Rachel Balkovec was hired by the Yankees to be a roving minor league hitting coach. Folden worked her way up to become the hitting coach for Chicago's Triple-A Iowa affiliate before her contract was up and she headed to the Mets. The Mets have had other female coaches in the minors, including Gretchen Aucoin and Bree Nasti, but Folden is the latest woman to join an on-field coaching staff.

  • Folden was hired by the Mets this offseason.
  • She previously spent six seasons in the Cubs organization.

The players

Rachel Folden

A 39-year-old former professional softball player who was hired as the Mets' Double-A hitting coach at Binghamton this offseason.

Alyssa Nakken

The first female major league coach, who was on the Giants' staff from 2020-24.

Rachel Balkovec

The Yankees' roving minor league hitting coach, hired in November 2019.

A.J. Ewing

A top outfield prospect in the Mets' system who has already worked with female coaches.

David Stearns

The Mets' president of baseball operations, who hired Folden because he thinks she's a good coach.

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What they’re saying

“If a player thinks you can help them, it doesn't matter who you are. They just want to be helped. It just becomes about building relationships, building trust. All of those things are pretty genderless and then everything comes together quickly.”

— Rachel Folden, Mets Double-A Hitting Coach

“We see eye-to-eye on hitting. We've talked about approach and she's a good communicator.”

— A.J. Ewing, Top Mets Outfield Prospect

“I do think women throughout baseball at different positions are becoming more commonplace. I think we're eager to get to the point where having an on-field woman coach is not a story. I recognize it is one right now. But she's impacted hitters throughout her career and earned the position. Players respect knowledgeable coaches and that's what she is.”

— David Stearns, Mets President of Baseball Operations

What’s next

The Mets will continue to monitor Folden's progress as the Double-A hitting coach in Binghamton, and she could be in line for a promotion to the major league staff if she continues to make an impact on the organization's hitters.

The takeaway

Folden's hiring as the Mets' Double-A hitting coach is another step forward for women in baseball, as the sport continues to become more inclusive of female coaches and leaders. Her passion for the game and ability to connect with players have already made an impression, and she could pave the way for more women to take on prominent on-field roles in the future.