WooSox manager Chad Tracy has big-league attributes — could Rangers consider him? | Opinion

WORCESTER — It’s evident Chad Tracy’s time with the WooSox could be short-lived.

The first-year Triple-A manager has the skill set to quickly become a big-league manager, and the 37-year-old already has gained the attention of the baseball world. The Texas Rangers have an open position and should consider Tracy as the club’s next manager.

The Rangers are reportedly considering both internal and external candidates at this point, including Boston Red Sox bench coach Will Venable. Current Rangers third base coach Tony Beasley is serving as interim manager for Texas.

If Rangers executive vice president and general manager Chris Young is looking for someone who knows and understands the organizational philosophy, then he should do his due diligence on Tracy.

The Rangers selected him in the third round of the 2006 First-Year Player Draft. He played nine pro seasons, all in the minors, and hit .267 with 159 home runs and 706 RBIs. He reached Triple A in 2010 with Oklahoma City and in 2011 with Round Rock, both affiliates of the Rangers.

When Tracy decided to retire from playing, he quickly made the jump into coaching. He spent seven seasons in the Los Angeles Angels organization, including three as minor league manager with Low-A Burlington (2015) and High-A Inland Empire (2016-17). He then served as minor league field coordinator for four seasons before the Red Sox came calling.

The Red Sox named him WooSox manager last December. As of Sunday, the team owns a 59-57 record, but it’s more about development at this level and players have thrived under his guidance.

Young recently told the Dallas Morning News that there are certain attributes the club’s next manager needs to possess.

“I’m going to put it in very simple teams,” Young told the paper. “It’s the ability to get the best out of your team. To create an environment that gets the best out of each individual for the collective group. And that’s what it really comes down to.”

A baseball lifer

Tracy checks all those boxes and then some.

He has created a solid environment in the clubhouse and on the field, and he’s earned the respect of the players. His baseball IQ is off the charts, and no doubt players are receptive to his managerial and communication skills. His passion for the game is evident.

WooSox newcomer Abraham Almonte has nine years of big-league service, and hehas been impressed with Worcester’s young manager.

“He’s really good,” Almonte said. “I really love his personality, and I like the way he makes the players feel. He’s on top of getting the guys whatever they need (to perform). He’s got a shot, and I think he will be a big league manager one day.”

It also helps that Tracy is a baseball lifer.

The game is part of his family’s DNA. His grandfather, father and two brothers all played professional baseball. Tracy is the son of former major league manager Jim Tracy. Chad grew up in pro clubhouses and was a sponge for everything baseball that led to a collegiate career at Pepperdine University before turning pro in 2006.

Despite not reaching the big leagues as a player, Tracy will accomplish that goal as either a coach or manager one day soon.

WooSox bench coach, Jose Flores, 51, has been a coach in the majors and said he believes Tracy’s future is bright.

“I’ve got no doubt at some point he’ll get a shot a managing in the big leagues,” Flores said.

Tracy pours everything he has into this game and puts the club’s success first and foremost. Whether or not the Rangers consider him for the open managerial position, it won’t be long before Tracy is managing, or coaching in the big leagues with the Red Sox or another club.

—Contact Joe McDonald at JMcDonald2@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @JoeyMacHockey.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: WooSox manager Chad Tracy has big-league attributes -- could Rangers consider him?