Warren Schaeffer is a high-energy guy.
Whether it’s hitting grounders during infield practice, working with players on individual fielding skills or waving a runner around third base, Schaeffer buzzes. The Rockies are counting on Schaeffer to jump-start their terrible season.
Schaeffer, 40, was named Colorado’s interim manager Sunday when the club fired longtime manager Bud Black and bench coach Mike Redmond after opening the season with a 7-33 record.
“I’m super excited for ‘Schaeff,’” said two-time Gold Glove center fielder Brenton Doyle, who played for Schaeffer at Triple-A Albuquerque. “He was a great manager. He knows the game super well, and he’s a great coach. He brings a lot of energy, and I’m looking forward to it.”
When asked if Schaeffer was the right man at the right time, Doyle said, “One hundred percent. We need somebody like him to take charge and really help us get turned around.”
Schaeffer became the eighth manager in franchise history. He’s been Colorado’s third base and infield coach since the 2023 season. Before joining the big-league club, Schaeffer spent 10 seasons as a manager and coach in the Rockies’ minor league system. He managed the Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes in 2021-22.
Schaeffer, drafted by the Rockies in the 38th round of the 2007 draft out of Virginia Tech, was a utility infielder in the minors, playing 459 games over six seasons. He made it as high as Triple-A but never played in the majors.
Rather than keep chasing his dream to be a big-league player, Schaeffer went into coaching.
“Warren is going to bring some energy and some enthusiasm, and he’s a great communicator,” general manager Bill Schmidt said. “He’s the right person to lead us forward for the remainder of this season, develop our young talent at the major league level, and get our club back to playing a better brand of baseball.”
The Rockies also made several coaching changes.
Clint Hurdle, the interim hitting coach, replaced Redmond as the bench coach. Hurdle will still help out with hitters in an effort to wake up Colorado’s anemic offense.
“Clint will remain focused on helping our players offensively and will continue to assist Warren and our players as an experienced voice within our clubhouse,” Schmidt said.
Assistant hitting coach Andy Gonzalez replaced Schaeffer as the new third base coach, and Jordan Pacheco and Nick Wilson will become the Rockies’ new hitting coaches.
“We are going in a new direction,” veteran starting pitcher Kyle Freeland said. “Warren is a guy who’s going to work every day. We love what he’s doing, especially with our infielders. His work ethic speaks to the kind of person he is. Everyone in this clubhouse loves him.”
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