The White Sox completed their 2026 coaching staff after the hirings of assistant pitching coach Bobby Hearn, first base/outfield coach Jose Leger, major league field coordinator Chris Denorfia, Bennett Markinson as bullpen catcher and Tony Medina as a major-league assistant.
The Sox have multiple new faces surrounding manager Will Venable as he heads into Year 2 of his managerial career. Of the new hires, Hearn is particuarly notable. He comes to Chicago after spending the last two seasons with the Minnesota Twins as an assistant pitching coordinator in 2025, and complex pitching coordinator in 2024.
The Sox didn’t have an assistant pitching coach last season, but with the abundance of young arms the Sox will likely rely on next season, it’s good to fill out the staff with multiple voices. The Sox anticipate left-handed prospects Noah Schultz and Hagen Smith making their debuts next season, so hiring coaches who can be good resources for them is important.
Denorfia was teammates with Venable from 2010-14. He most recently spent the past five seasons in the Rockies’ organization, serving as the organization’s outfield and baserunning coordinator 2024-25. He managed their Double A team from 2021-23.
Markinson, 23, is the youngest coaching addition. He graduated from Northwestern in the spring and signed with the Phillies as a non-drafted free agent before announcing his retirement on Nov. 12.
The Sox will make their new hires available soon. Bench coach Walker McKinven, who will work more with the catchers this season, assistant hitting coach Joel McKeithan, bullpen catcher Luis Sierra and third base/infield coach Justin Jirschele, return for 2026.
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