Serrato Returns as Assistant Coach with Baseball - Purdue Boilermakers (2024)

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Returning to campus after experience in Minor League Baseball and 10 seasons as a collegiate coach, alumnus and two-time All-Big Ten honoree Barrett Serrato is joining Purdue Baseball as an assistant coach.

Head coach Greg Goff has announced Serrato will serve as the Boilermakers' recruiting coordinator while also having a prominent role with the program's infield defense and hitters. Serrato will join forces with Goff, Josh Newman (pitching coach), Seth LaRue (hitting/base running), John Madia (player development/alumni relations) and Hunter Roberts (operations) to form the coaching staff for the 2024-25 school year.

Serrato returns to West Lafayette as an experienced coach, serving eight seasons over two stints (2015-17, 2020-24) as an assistant at Kent State. He also coached two seasons at Lee University in Tennessee (2017-18) and the fall of 2019 at UCF before returning to Kent for the spring semester. Highlighted by five 30-win seasons and a pair of 40-win conference champion campaigns, the Golden Flashes compiled a 242-159 record (.603) with Serrato on staff.

"I'm thrilled to have Barrett join our coaching staff and bring him back to his alma mater," Goff said. "His experience as an all-conference performer in the Big Ten is the foundation that has led to a successful coaching career. He'll make an impact instructing our infielders and hitters, and most importantly in the recruiting realm. Barrett also knows what it means to win at Purdue and the traits we emphasize in developing Boilermaker ballplayers."

Serrato was a three-year starter while playing in 177 games for the Boilermakers from 2009 to 2012. He earned All-Big Ten honors as an outfielder each of his upperclassman seasons while helping lead Purdue to a combined 82-35 record in 2011 and 2012. As a constant in the middle of the lineup on the 2012 Big Ten championship team, the versatile left-handed hitter also represented the Boilers on the All-Tournament Teams at the NCAA Gary Regional and Big Ten Tournament.

"I want to thank Coach Goff for the opportunity to rejoin the Purdue Baseball family," Serrato said. "I am excited for the opportunity to work alongside Coach Newman and Coach LaRue. I'm looking forward to the fast-paced, high-energy atmosphere Coach Goff has created. Purdue has been special to me since the day I stepped on campus and I am forever grateful for my time as a student-athlete. The support the Greater Lafayette community has for Purdue University is second to none and I'm excited to be back home in West Lafayette!"

Drafted by the Texas Rangers after his senior season (as well as by the Marlins in 2008), Serrato reached the Double-A level in 2013 and then began his coaching career under former Purdue assistant Jeff Duncan at Kent State in the fall of 2014. The Flashes won the Mid-American Conference regular-season title in 2023 as part of a 42-win campaign. They were also MAC champions in 2016 and 2017 with Serrato as part of the coaching staff, winning 44 games in 2016. The Flashes had an .800 winning percentage in conference play in 2016 and 2023.

As a hitting coach and recruiting coordinator in his second stint at Kent State, the Flashes led the MAC in batting average for three straight years from 2021 to 2023. KSU's prolific lineup posted a team slash line of .303/.411/.503 while also stealing 115 bases in 2023. The Flashes have connected for 81, 78 and 85 home runs the last three seasons.

Kent State had three players selected in the 2023 MLB Draft and a dozen draft picks during Serrato's years as an assistant coach.

At Purdue, Serrato was the team's Opening Day shortstop in 2010 and 2011, also starting at the same position at the 2009 Big Ten Tournament as a true freshman. He moved to the outfield early in the 2011 campaign, developing into a first-team All-Big Ten performer as a junior while batting .313 with 42 RBI, 32 walks and 50 runs scored – finishing that year playing third base after there was a need due to injury. The following season, he pounded out 20 extra-base hits and ranked second on the team with 49 RBI as Purdue won a program-record 45 games and a pair of Big Ten titles while earning the right to host an NCAA Regional.

The 2012 team was the first to practice at Alexander Field in the days leading up to the NCAA Regional. Serrato also coached at Alexander in March 2017 when Kent State was the opponent for Purdue's home opener.

Serrato and his wife, Karlie, are the parents of two daughters – Stella and Ripken.