Chicago fills its final major coaching vacancy with Jose Leger, a Dominican born minor league coach with a well-rounded background rooted in player development.
The Chicago White Sox have made another notable addition to Will Venable’s Major League coaching staff for the 2026 season.
Jose Leger, a 43-year-old Dominican baseball coach and former minor league player, is joining the big-league staff as the team’s first base coach—his first MLB coaching role after 16 years in the profession.
Leger played Division II ball at Georgia College & State University before signing with the Minnesota Twins as an undrafted free agent in 2005. His pro career lasted two seasons, and when his playing days were over, he quickly shifted into coaching, taking a job as a hitting coach for the Dominican Summer League (DSL) Twins.
In 2010, Leger joined the New York Mets organization, where he managed at multiple levels—including rookie ball and Class A stops with the Kingsport Mets, Savannah Sand Gnats, and Columbia Fireflies. His track record eventually led him to the St. Louis Cardinals, where he managed Double-A Springfield from 2021 to 2024. In 2024, he delivered a franchise-record 79 wins and was named Texas League Manager of the Year. He also served as the Cardinals’ assistant minor league field coordinator.
Internationally, Leger has been a fixture in the Dominican Winter League (LIDOM). He’s managed Leones del Escogido, Águilas Cibaeñas, and currently Gigantes del Cibao, while also coaching for Estrellas Orientales and Tigres del Licey. Simply put—he’s coached everywhere and won everywhere.
Now, he lands in Chicago, filling the role previously held by Jason Bourgeois. Justin Jirschele remains the third base coach opposite Leger for 2026.
Bourgeois was also an outfield coach for the White Sox. But it’s unclear if Leger will take on any specific coach responsibilities besides being an MLB assistant and first base coach on game days.
The White Sox went through a major coaching overhaul after the 2025 season, recently hiring Derek Shomon as hitting coach and Zach Bove as pitching coach. Leger’s addition appears to cap the final major vacancy on Venable’s staff, though a few assistant roles could still be added before Opening Day.
All told, Leger brings a well-rounded background rooted in player development, leadership, and international experience. He adds a fresh voice and a different energy to Venable’s staff — and his ability to communicate directly with Spanish-speaking players is a clear advantage that Venable, Shomon, and bench coach Walker McKinven don’t have.
Luis Robert Jr., Lenyn Sosa, Miguel Vargas, Edgar Quero, Bryan Ramos, and Everson Pereira are among the Spanish-speaking position players on the White Sox 40-man roster who will work closely with Leger in his new role.