ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - The Cardinals officially finalized their 2024 coaching staff and while most of the names will be familiar to Cardinals Nation, the Cardinals announced some new additions to the staff.
As most fans already know, the Cardinals reunited with former infielder and 2011 World Series Winner Daniel Descalso, who is joining the staff as the bench coach, replacing Joe McEwing, who transitioned to the front office.
The Cardinals are also reuniting with another former player, adding former reliever Dean Kiekhefer to the coaching staff as a pitching assistant.
Kiekhefer was a former Cardinals farmhand, being drafted by the club in 36th round of the 2010 MLB Draft. Kiekhefer would way his way through the farm system, eventually reaching the majors in May 2016. Over 26 appearances in the majors, he had a 5.32 ERA, allowing 13 runs and 24 hits over 22 innings, while striking out 14 batters and only walking two.
Kiekhefer's playing career would only three more seasons, with stints in the Oakland A's and Seattle Mariners farm systems, and he retired after the 2019 season. After his playing career ended he rejoined the Cardinals in 2019 originally as a minor pitching coach for the club's then-affiliate State College Spikes.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he wouldn't get a chance to officially be a coach till 2021, where he would be assigned as a coach at Palm Beach, the club's Low-A Affiliate.
In addition to the addition of Kiekhefer and Descalso, the Cardinals also added Daniel "DC" MacLea to the staff with the title of Major League Coordinator of Technology & Systems.
One name Cardinals won't see is Yadier Molina, who won't be a full-time coach in 2024 due to family commitments. However, Molina, who was announced last week to have rejoined the club as a special assistant, will make sporadic appearances during the season and potentially appearances in the dugout.