BRONX, NY — Dan Fiorito, the first base coach of the New York Yankees, got to live out a dream that has been 14 years in the making this past weekend as the Marlins and Yankees opened up the 2026 regular season in the Bronx.
“There are little moments that kind of hit you like seeing my family here, I took my time after the national anthem to kind of take it all in,” the 35-year-old told Latino Sports this past Saturday of becoming a coach at the MLB level and all the first experiences he’s had over the course of the last three days.
“My first time being in the Big Leagues at Yankee Stadium, which was somewhere I always dreamt of being.”
Dan Fiorito has been a part of the Yankees organization since the early 2010’s, starting out as an undrafted free agent infielder to now being the major league club’s first base/infield and baserunning coach – Image Credit: Somerset Patriots
Fiorito, a former infielder, played baseball at Fordham University in the Bronx, NY, and was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Yankees in 2012. He played in their minor league system for four seasons and was released prior to the 2017 season, which was when Fiorito was quickly hired by the Yankees to coach in their minor league system with the Pulaski Yankees.
Fiorito continued to work his way up through the system, getting higher up each year. This was maximized in 2022 when he won the Eastern League Championship with the Yankees’ Double-A affiliate, the Somerset Patriots.
Dan Fiorito was Somerset’s manager in 2022 and led the Patriots, the Yankees’ Double-A affiliate, to capturing the 2022 Eastern League Championship – Image Credit: Minor League Baseball
After the 2022 season, he took on more of an advisory role and was present at all of the Yankees’ minor league ballparks and training complexes, working with the coaching staff and players. This past offseason, it was announced that the Yankees hired him to serve as the Major League club’s first base/baserunning and infield coach.
“It’s been a fun experience so far, it’s an amazing group,” Fiorito said, crediting Aaron Boone, Brad Ausmus, and the rest of the coaching staff for helping him get more comfortable as the days go on.
“Obviously, a super talented team. I think we have a great thing going right now, but I’m just really grateful for everything the organization has done for me, just coming up in the system. I learned so much from so many people, and I’m just really happy to be here right now.”
In his first stretch of games as the Yankees’ first base/baserunning and infield coach, Dan Fiorito has felt right at home as players and coaches have helped make the transition smooth for him – Image Credit: Bill Menzel/Latino Sports
Three current Yankees who shared the dugout with Fiorito in 2022 on the Patriots were Austin Wells, Will Warren, and Anthony Volpe. Now they are with him on the Yankees, although Volpe is currently hurt, recovering from offseason surgery. He also managed Jasson Domínguez (2025 AL LatinoMVP Rookie of the Year) down the stretch of the 2022 season and Domínguez hit two home runs in their championship clincher.
The 23-year-old switch-hitting Dominican is currently in the Triple-A with the Scranton-Wilkes/Barre RailRiders.
“Having the relationship from some of the players that were here and having them in the minor leagues, I think for me helped the transition a little bit, having some familiar faces.” Fiorito noted in our interview. “I’m just really happy for the guys to come up here and see how important they are to this team and the impact they’re having.”
Another player Fiorito has worked with behind the scenes is Yankees’ top prospect George Lombard Jr., a Cuban-American shortstop, who is currently playing with the Patriots.
“He’s a special player, the whole organization is super excited to see what he’s gonna do,” said Fiorito, later telling us more on the work he’s done with Lombard.
“He is such a special defender at shortstop. I think that’s where I’ve been able to spend most of my time with him.”
Dan Fioritio had glowing remarks for one of the Yankees’ top prospects George Lombard Jr., who he has worked with behind the scenes during Yankees spring training and at the team’s minor league complexes – Image Credit: Bill Menzel/Latino Sports
Lombard opened his 2026 season with Somerset with a 5-for-5 performance and a home run this past Friday.
He’s already shown to be at an advanced level with his glove, which many consider to be MLB-ready, but if the bat comes along with it, Lombard will be with the Yankees sooner rather than later.
“He’s as gifted as a defender as I’ve ever been around, and the makeup, the character, the competitiveness, all that is off the charts,” Fiorito added.
“It’s unmatched, and I think he’s somebody who’s gonna be really exciting to watch for a long time.”
Follow us on Social Media for updates and exclusive content
Instagram: @latinosportsoficial
Facebook: Latino Sports
Twitter: @latinosports
