5 Crucial Facts About José Flores: The New Red Sox Coach Driving Infield Defense And Baserunning For 2025

As of December 14, 2025, the Boston Red Sox have finalized a critical piece of their Major League coaching staff for the upcoming 2025 season, officially promoting José David Flores to the role of First Base Coach and Infield Instructor. This move solidifies a key organizational philosophy: rewarding success and expertise cultivated within the club’s minor league system. Flores’s promotion from the Triple-A Worcester Red Sox (affectionately known as the "WooSox") is not just a title change; it signals a significant commitment to improving two areas that are often crucial for a championship-caliber team: fundamental infield defense and aggressive, intelligent baserunning. His extensive experience, both as a former infielder and a seasoned Major League coach, positions him as a pivotal figure in Manager Alex Cora’s pursuit of a more disciplined and dynamic team in the American League East.

The Complete Biography of José David Flores

José David Flores, a respected figure in professional baseball for over three decades, brings a wealth of experience from his time as a player, minor league manager, and Major League coach. His journey has been marked by a consistent focus on player development and a deep understanding of the infield.

• Full Name: José David Flores
• Born: January 1, 1971
• Birthplace: Cidra, Puerto Rico
• Professional Playing Career: Flores played professionally for five seasons (1990–1994) in the minor leagues as an infielder (Shortstop, Second Baseman, Third Baseman).
• Draft History: He was originally drafted by the Houston Astros in the 1990 MLB Draft.
• Major League Coaching Debut: First Base Coach for the Philadelphia Phillies (2018).
• Previous MLB Coaching Roles: Third Base Coach for the Baltimore Orioles (2019–2020).
• Minor League Coaching Roles: Bench Coach for the Triple-A Worcester Red Sox (2022–2024).
• Organizational Experience: Prior to joining the Red Sox organization, he spent six seasons with the Chicago Cubs (2012–2017) in various coaching and managing roles.

From WooSox Bench Coach to Fenway Park: The Path to the 2025 Staff

Flores’s promotion is a testament to the success of the Red Sox's player development pipeline, particularly at the Triple-A level. His three-year tenure as the bench coach for the Worcester Red Sox (WooSox) was instrumental in preparing the organization's top prospects for the demands of Major League Baseball.

The Value of the WooSox Experience

Serving as the right-hand man to the WooSox manager, Flores was deeply involved in the daily development of players who are now key components of the Boston Red Sox roster. The bench coach role in the minor leagues is often focused on the mental side of the game, including game planning, situational hitting, and defensive positioning. This period allowed him to build strong relationships and a deep understanding of the skill sets of emerging talent, such as middle infielders and utility players. His familiarity with the next wave of Red Sox players, including those who may be called up during the 2025 season, offers a seamless transition and a significant advantage for Manager Alex Cora. The move also highlights the synergy between the Major League staff and the Minor League system, ensuring that the defensive and baserunning standards established in Boston are consistently reinforced at the Triple-A level. The organization views Flores as a critical link between the two levels.

The Impact of a New First Base Coach and Infield Instructor

The dual title of First Base Coach and Infield Instructor gives José Flores a focused, high-impact role on the 2025 Red Sox Major League staff. Both responsibilities are crucial for a team looking to maximize its run-scoring opportunities and tighten up its defensive fundamentals.

Elevating Infield Defense

As the Infield Instructor, Flores is tasked with overseeing the mechanics, positioning, and overall readiness of the Red Sox infielders, including the Shortstop and Second Baseman. Given his own professional experience as an infielder, he possesses a specialized knowledge of footwork, throwing angles, and defensive strategy. The Red Sox defense, particularly in the middle infield, has been an area of focus for improvement. Flores’s mandate is to bring a consistent, high-level defensive philosophy to the entire group, ensuring that players are not only technically sound but also strategically positioned for every opposing batter. This instruction is vital for the development of young players and the optimization of veteran performance.

Mastering Baserunning and the First Base Line

The First Base Coach is the player's first point of contact after a hit, making the role a crucial communication hub. Flores's responsibility here is to guide base runners on when to take an extra base, when to hold up, and how to read the pitcher's moves. His philosophy, as mentioned in previous roles, emphasizes staying "on top" of players and coaching them on baserunning instincts as pitchers go by, keeping them constantly aware of the situation. This aggressive-but-smart approach to baserunning is designed to turn singles into doubles and keep pressure on the opposing pitcher and defense. In a close game, the difference between a runner on first and a runner on second is often the result of smart, decisive coaching from the first base line.

Key Entities and the Red Sox 2025 Coaching Staff

Flores joins a talented and experienced group of coaches under Manager Alex Cora, with several key figures returning or taking on new roles for the 2025 season. His integration into this staff is expected to be seamless, given his prior working relationship with many members of the organization. The finalized 2025 Boston Red Sox Major League coaching staff includes:

• Manager: Alex Cora
• Bench Coach: Ramón Vázquez
• Pitching Coach: Andrew Bailey
• Hitting Coach: Pete Fatse
• First Base Coach/Infield Instructor: José David Flores
• Catching Instructor/Bullpen Catcher: Parker Guinn
• Assistant Hitting Coach: Dillon Lawson
• Third Base Coach: Carlos Febles (A returning key entity)

The addition of Flores, alongside new Catching Instructor Parker Guinn, completes the staff modifications aimed at bolstering fundamental instruction and on-field execution. His focus on infield defense complements the work of the other coaches, such as Pete Fatse’s focus on hitting and Andrew Bailey’s work with the pitching staff. The collective goal is to elevate the team’s overall performance and compete for a spot in the MLB playoffs. José David Flores’s journey from the minor league fields of the Chicago Cubs and the Triple-A Worcester Red Sox to the Major League coaching staff at Fenway Park is a story of dedication and proven expertise. His role as First Base Coach and Infield Instructor is one of the most vital on the 2025 Boston Red Sox, tasked with shaping the defensive identity and maximizing the offensive efficiency of the team. Fans and analysts alike will be closely watching the Red Sox baserunning and infield play to see the immediate impact of his promotion.