Bio

CHILLICOTHE, Ohio - The back-to-back Prospect League champion Chillicothe Paints, presented by CohenOrthopedic, announce the signing of hitting coach Jeff Heinrich, rounding out the 2024 coaching staff.

"I'm excited for the opportunity to join the coaching staff and contribute to the organization," said Heinrich. "I have heard nothing but good things about the organization, fans, and the town itself."

After a stellar playing career, Heinrich started his coaching career this past spring at McHenry County College, helping to guide the Scotts win conference and regional championships in the program's first season in NCJAA Division I. McHenry County ranked no. 11 nationally in batting average and no. 4 in HBP. Becoming a coach at McHenry County is a return to where Heinrich began is collegiate playing career, where he was named second-team All-Conference and All-Region for the 2019 season.

After two seasons in the JUCO ranks with McHenry County, Heinrich was drafted by the San Francisco Giants in the 2019 June Amateur Draft, but chose to continue his collegiate career, spending the next two seasons at the University of South Carolina.

Following his stint with the Gamecocks, Heinrich took advantage of his COVID year, playing his final collegiate season at Kansas State University in 2022, where he hit .333 over 33 games with six doubles, 10 home runs and 23 RBIs. He also slugged .697, ranking him fourth all-time in a single season at Kansas State.

Continuing his career post college, Heinrich played for the Frontier League's Windy City Thunderbolts during the 2022 season.

Though this will be Heinrich's first summer coaching in the summer ranks, he is no stranger to collegiate summer baseball, having played in the Northwoods League for Eau Claire in 2018 and Rockford in 2019 and 2020.

Working primarily with hitters this season, Heinrich added, "Brian [Mannino, director of baseball operations] had nothing but good things to say about the players, and I'm looking forward to getting after it this summer with them."

Heinrich joins Mannino and field manager Daryin Lewis on the Paints coaching staff for the 2024 season, which begins May 28 on the road in Lafayette. Chillicothe opens up the home portion of the schedule Thursday, May 30 at 7:05 p.m. against the Johnstown Mill Rats.