A Miami Native Returns to Lead FIU Baseball
Pedro Grifol, a Miami‑born baseball figure with deep roots in the city’s high school and winter‑league circuits, has been appointed head coach of the Florida International University Panthers. The university announced the hire on Tuesday, positioning Grifol to steer a program that has struggled to gain traction in a competitive recruiting landscape.
Grifol’s journey to the top of college baseball began at Miami Columbus High School, where he earned Florida’s 4A Player of the Year in 1988. After being drafted in the sixth round by the Minnesota Twins in 1991, he spent nine seasons in the minor leagues before transitioning to coaching, eventually building a reputation as a scout and player‑development specialist.
His managerial résumé includes stints with the Chicago White Sox in 2023 and 2024, where he oversaw a roster that featured catcher Salvador Perez, a two‑time World Series champion who later praised Grifol’s leadership. Prior to the White Sox, Grifol spent 13 years within the Kansas City Royals organization, contributing to World Series titles in 2014 and 2015 and working closely with Perez during the championship runs.
Before joining FIU, Grifol honed his international scouting chops in the Venezuelan and Dominican winter leagues, a experience that aligns with the university’s ambition to tap into the talent pools of South Florida and the Caribbean. He replaces former head coach Rich Witten, who was dismissed after a 19‑35 record in 2026, a season that left the program seeking a fresh direction.
Scott Carr, FIU’s athletic director, emphasized that the hire represents a strategic investment in the program’s future, noting that Grifol’s background in player development and his connections to Miami’s baseball community could help the Panthers compete more effectively for top recruits. The university has yet to schedule an introductory press conference, but expectations are already high among alumni and former players such as Mike Lowell, a two‑time World Series champion who also voiced his support.
Grifol’s appointment underscores a broader trend of former Major League managers returning to their roots to revitalize college programs. With a proven track record of building championship teams and a personal connection to South Florida, he is expected to bring a new level of competitiveness to FIU baseball, a program eager to reclaim its place among the region’s elite.