Rachel Folden has been named the new hitting coach for the Mets’ Double-A affiliate, the Binghamton Rumble Ponies, for the 2026 season. Folden, who previously made history as the first female coach in the Chicago Cubs organization, brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of player development to the Mets’ minor league system.
Folden’s appointment was first reported by Mike Puma of the New York Post and confirmed by multiple sources, including MLB.com and Folden’s own Instagram announcement. She replaces Nate Irving, who served as the Rumble Ponies’ hitting coach in 2025, and joins a coaching staff led by manager Reid Brignac, who returns for his fourth season at the helm.
A four-time All-American softball player at Marshall University and a five-year professional catcher in National Pro Fastpitch, Folden transitioned into coaching with a focus on hitting instruction. In 2012, she founded Folden Fastpitch, a program dedicated to mentoring hitters, which showcased her ability to connect with players and maximize their potential.
Her coaching career took a historic turn in 2019 when she became the first female coach in Cubs history, initially serving as a lead hitting lab tech and Rookie-level hitting coach. Folden quickly rose through the ranks, working in the Arizona Complex League (2021-22), as a Minor League hitting coordinator in 2023, and as the hitting coach for Double-A Tennessee in 2024 and Triple-A Iowa in 2025. Her work with Cubs prospects, including top talents like Owen Caissie and Moisés Ballesteros, earned her widespread praise. Ballesteros credited Folden for helping him refine his approach at the plate, emphasizing patience and selectivity, while Caissie lauded her straightforward, no-nonsense coaching style.
Folden’s impact extended beyond mechanics. Known for her ability to build relationships, she improved her Spanish to better communicate with players, fostering trust and understanding. Her selfless approach to coaching—prioritizing player development over personal accolades—made her a respected figure in the Cubs organization.
