The New York Yankees found their replacement for Gary Denbo, as the team named Kevin Reese the new Senior Director of Player Development.

The New York Yankees announced on Friday that Kevin Reese has been named Senior Director of Player Development. He replaces Gary Denbo, who left for the Miami Marlins.

From 2008-14, Reese was a member of the Yankees’ Pro Scouting Department as a professional scout before serving as the team’s Director of Pro Scouting over the last three seasons where he watched over the coordination of scout coverages and assisted with trade discussions and free agent signings.



Reese, 39, was also responsible for scouting the Yankees’ minor league affiliates, organized advance scouting for the postseason and contributed to the development of the Yankees’ Major League and minor league rosters.

Drafted by the San Diego Padres in the 27th round of the 2000 MLB draft, Reese spent his first two minor league seasons with the Padres before being traded to the Yankees for Bernie Castro in 2001.

He was called up to the Bronx from Triple-A Columbus on June 26, 2005, after Hideki Matsui went down with an injury. His major league debut came against the Mets, where we went 0-for-1 with a walk and a strikeout.

In 2006, Reese was once again recalled by the Yankees from the Columbus when Matsui broke his wrist. He went 5-for-12 (.417) in 10 games before returning to the minors. In 2007, Reese was designated for assignment and was outrighted back to  Scranton/Wilkes Barre — where he slashed .249/.338/.365 in 115 games.

After not getting an invite to spring training in 2008, Reese accepted the rose as a scout for the team and began his ascension to his newest role.

The former minor league journeyman will now be handed the responsibility of helping the next generation of Yankees’ prospects grow with the organization and become key components to a potential dynasty. Next on general manager Brian Cashman’s offseason to-do list is, presumably, to find his next manager.