Report: Diamondbacks hiring Ben Fritz to become pitching coach
Fritz spent the last seven seasons as the Padres' bullpen coach and also reportedly interviewed by the Rockies.
Watch: Reaction: Diamondbacks expected to listen to trade calls for Ketel Marte | 8 mins
The Arizona Diamondbacks are hiring San Diego Padres bullpen coach Ben Fritz to be the club’s next pitching coach, The Athletic’s Dennis Lin reported on Friday.
The D-backs opted not to bring back Brian Kaplan after two seasons, as the club has hired five pitching coaches since manager Torey Lovullo and general manager Mike Hazen took over ahead of the 2017 season.
Arizona ran it back with Lovullo on a two-year deal, and the skipper decided to retain hitting coach Joe Mather while making a change with the pitching.
Fritz, 45, spent the last seven seasons as the Padres’ bullpen coach, even filling in as their interim pitching coach in 2021.
He pitched seven seasons in the minor leagues after being drafted in the first round by the Oakland Athletics in 2002. Lin reported that Fritz also interviewed for the Colorado Rockies’ pitching coach position.
San Diego’s pitching staff was 10th in MLB in ERA this past season at 4.00. Its bullpen was fifth in ERA (3.53) and first in wins above replacement (8.9).
The Diamondbacks enter the offseason with a starting pitching group of Corbin Burnes, Eduardo Rodriguez, Merrill Kelly, Ryne Nelson and Brandon Pfaadt, along with 2026 rookies Mitch Bratt, Jose Cabrera and Kohl Drake.
Michael Soroka has a mutual option (which rarely get picked up) for $10 million, and Zac Gallen is a free agent.
In the bullpen, the D-backs have an enticing young core with Brandyn Garcia, Justin Martinez and Juan Morillo, while many of their veterans from this past season are hitting free agency: Kevin Ginkel, Taylor Clarke, Jonathan Loaisiga and Ryan Thompson, along with A.J. Puk after he missed all of 2026.
The Diamondbacks finished the 2026 season 18th in MLB in team ERA at 4.19 and 12th in WHIP at 1.28.
They were the only team in baseball with four relievers who made at least 55 appearances with an ERA under 3.00, while Rodriguez earned his first All-Star Game selection.
Related
Nolan Arenado offered to play first base for Diamondbacks
Corbin Burnes will opt into Diamondbacks contract, per report
Diamondbacks expected to listen to Ketel Marte trade offers once again
Which Diamondbacks are entering free agency?
Gabriel Moreno wins award for best Venezuelan player in MLB this season
MLB testing new outfield rules in Arizona Fall League
Comments
0 Comments