Modesto Nuts Manager Zach Vincej: Baseball America’s 2024 MiLB Manager Of The Year
Image credit: Zach Vincej (Brian Westerholt/Four Seam Images)
Two seasons into his managerial career, Zach Vincej is already starting to compile an intriguing résumé.
Vincej led the Mariners’ Low-A Modesto affiliate to its second consecutive California League championship in 2024. The Nuts went 73-57 and had the best run differential in the league, built by big performances from some of Seattle’s most exciting young prospects.
At just 33 years old, Vincej is already being recognized around the industry as one of the best young managers out there.
His Cal League peers took note, voting him best manager prospect in annual Best Tools voting by Baseball America. Now, he is the BA Minor League Manager of the Year.
“What a great honor,” Vincej said. “You know, I think of it more as an (organizational) award for me, because all the resources, all the guidance that I’ve gotten from the Mariners, it’s been incredible.
“To have an award like this, it shows that the hard work is paying off, but it’s also a testament to my staff, and how great my players are at the same time.”
Since he stepped into the role as Modesto manager in 2023, Vincej has coached players the Mariners see as their brightest young stars. That list includes 2024 standouts such as right fielder Lazaro Montes—the California League MVP—shortstop Colt Emerson, second baseman Michael Arroyo, third baseman Tai Peete and center fielder Jonny Farmelo.
Having been a player just a few short years ago, including a cup of coffee with the 2018 Mariners, Vincej relates well to the current crop of ballplayers. His even-keeled personality seems like a good fit for the young players, who are often just getting their start in pro ball.
“I try to keep the guys loose, and I’m not saying that an older guy cannot do that, but I just feel like I can relate to the guys a little more just because of how close we are in age,” Vincej said.
“And although the guys are 18, 19, 20 years old, I still feel like that’s a good position to be in for myself, just knowing that I’ve worked with that group a lot in the last few years.”
As Vincej puts it, the opportunity to be a coach fell into his lap. His playing career reached its end amid the Covid pandemic, and he decided to “move his life along” by going back to get his degree.
He had been drafted out of Pepperdine by the Reds in 2012 and had a brief stint in Cincinnati in 2017 before being claimed on waivers by the Mariners.
Vincej finished his playing career with one season in the Orioles’ organization in 2019. After that, he went back to Pepperdine to finish his degree. While there, Vincej’s old coach asked if he wanted to give coaching a try.
That experience led to the Mariners hiring him in early 2022 as a coach with Triple-A Tacoma, and he was named Modesto’s manager for 2023.
Vincej has had lots of great managers over the years, but the one he most models himself after is current Triple-A Louisville manager Pat Kelly, who recently became just the seventh minor league skipper ever to reach 2,000 career wins.
Vincej watched Kelly closely while playing for him in the Reds’ farm system. He saw a great motivator who brought plenty of fire but also fostered an energetic and positive clubhouse environment, which Vincej hopes he’ll be able to provide his future players.
“I really was blown away by his demeanor and how he just handled everything so even keel,” Vincej said.
“But then he knew when to be fired up and when to be excited, and something that always stuck out to me was that he’s always the same even keel every single day.”
Impressed by Vincej’s success, Mariners farm director Justin Toole confirmed that Vincej will likely move to a higher minor league level in the organization for 2025.
“We have not announced what his role will be, but (he) will definitely be a manager in our system.” Toole said.
Now with three years of coaching and two years of managing under his belt, Vincej knows he has finally found his path.
“The transition, it’s been super fun,” Vincej said. “I love coaching. I love leading. It’s just been a really good experience for me, and I’m learning so much about myself and how I can lead the team and lead players.
“It’s just been a great opportunity for myself.”
