Tim Hayes

Chase Illig was a catcher for the New York Yankees’ entry in the rookie-level Gulf Coast League in 2019.

Six years later, he spent his summer managing a Boston Red Sox farm team in the same circuit now known as the Florida Complex League.

The former Tazewell High School and West Virginia University star has made the transition from playing the game to teaching it and compiled a 25-34 record in his first season managing the Fort Myers-based FCL Red Sox in 2025.

“It was an awesome experience,” Illig said. “We had a great staff at the complex all year and our players had a year full of really good development towards their goals. … Our guys played extremely hard all season no matter what the situation was. That was fun to watch for sure.”

Illig played his last season in the Yan

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