KINGSTON, R.I. - Head coach Raphael Cerrato has announced the addition of former Major League Baseball player Daniel Palka as an assistant coach on the Rhode Island Baseball staff. 

Palka will join the 2025 Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year and the reigning conference champions, working primarily with the hitters, outfielders and first basemen.

"We are so excited to add Dan to the baseball staff," Cerrato said. "I think it is an incredible addition to our program. With more than 10 years of professional baseball experience, Dan has gained a wealth of knowledge that is going to help our student-athletes on and off the field. We can't wait for the fall so we can begin our pursuit for another Atlantic 10 championship."

A former third-round pick by the Arizona Diamondbacks, Palka made his MLB debut in 2018 with the Chicago White Sox. In his first season, the outfielder finished fifth in the Rookie of the Year voting while belting out a team-best 27 home runs, the third-most by a first-year player in White Sox history. 

After wrapping up his time in the MLB, which also included stints with the Minnesota Twins, the Washington Nationals, the New York Mets and the Boston Red Sox, Palka went on to play professionally in both Korea and Mexico. 

One of the top sluggers in Georgia Tech history, Palka was inducted into the athletic department's Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2024. In three years with the Yellow Jackets (2011-13), Palka played on as many NCAA Regional teams and helped the 2012 team win the ACC Championship. A First Team All-American as a junior, Palka was a two-time All-ACC pick and a 2013 semifinalist for the Dick Howser Trophy, which goes to the national collegiate baseball player of the year. Over three seasons, Palka batted .314 with 41 home runs and 165 RBI. In his final two years at Tech, he doubled as a pitcher and made 13 appearances. 

Upon retiring from baseball, Palka re-joined the Yellow Jackets to complete his bachelor's degree. He assisted with the baseball team for the 2024 season, coaching the outfielders and corner infielders while working with the program's hitters.