The Mets have officially hired former collegiate and professional softball player Gretchen Aucoin, bringing in the 27-year-old in a historic addition to their on-field minor league instruction team.

Aucoin will become one of 10 women with on-field coaching positions in affiliated baseball, and the first ever in the Mets organization. She was actually referred for the job by her mentor, trailblazer Rachel Balkovec of the New York Yankees. Balkovec, who was named as the first-ever female minor league manager this offseason, received outreach over the winter from the Mets new assistant hitting coach, Jeremy Barnes.

Barnes, still serving in his former role as director of player development, received a vote of confidence from Balkovec on behalf of Aucoin’s fiery demeanor and driven personality. After consulting with Mets farm director Kevin Howard, Barnes officially extended the offer to Aucoin to join the organization as a coach in their minor league player development team.

Aucoin’s precise focus in the instruction of Mets minor leaguers is yet to be determined. The former Texas Tech and University of Tennessee softball star has also played softball professionally for three seasons in various domestic and international leagues, journeying as far as New Zealand in her quest to keep her playing career alive.

As Aucoin transitions from playing into coaching, her competitiveness and desire to succeed are the traits that Balkovec believes will serve her well as she grows into her new role. It will be interesting to watch how her career takes shape and in what ways she helps shape the next wave of Mets minor leaguers.