DJ LeMahieu appointed as manager of a collegiate summer baseball team

DJ LeMahieu Steps into New Role as Manager

After nearly a year since his departure from the Yankees, DJ LeMahieu has found a new position in baseball.

For the time being, he won’t be playing; instead, he’ll be managing from the dugout.

The former All-Star second baseman has taken on the role of manager for the Royal Oak Leprechauns, a summer collegiate baseball team located in Michigan’s Northwoods league. LeMahieu has a connection to the state, having moved there during middle school and later establishing himself as a standout athlete at Brother Rice High School.

Earlier in the decade, he played a part in funding the renovation of the team’s home stadium.

The organization noted that LeMahieu is still “pursuing opportunities in professional baseball,” but they didn’t clarify if this means he’ll be playing again or continuing as a coach.

General Manager Danny Weiss expressed his appreciation for LeMahieu’s dedication during the offseason, emphasizing how much it meant to the staff. “His commitment will translate into the culture he aims to build with the players as he steps into the manager role,” Weiss stated. He noted that LeMahieu is passionate about fostering an environment where players want to thrive, which he believes will set a standard for the team’s future.

LeMahieu was drafted by the Yankees last July but was released the following day after a lackluster performance, hitting .266 with a .674 OPS over 45 games for the 2025 season. He struggled over the past three seasons, managing only a .237 batting average.

His initial seasons with the Yankees were, well, kind of a mixed bag. He secured fourth and third place in American League MVP voting during 2019 and 2020, respectively. The 2020 season, shortened by the pandemic, saw him leading the league in batting average with .364 and posting an impressive .421 on-base percentage along with a 1.011 OPS.

Just last Monday, LeMahieu made a rare appearance on Instagram, posting for the first time in six years to extend well wishes to the Yankees. “I’d like to thank you,” he wrote, expressing gratitude to the team, the fans, and his teammates for his time in New York. “It may take me three more years to become a true New Yorker, but New York will forever feel like home. I am thankful to have experienced such great moments on the field. Here’s to the future successes of our players!”