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Diamondbacks Agree to Hire Fritz as Pitching Coach

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Diamondbacks Agree to Hire Fritz as Pitching Coach

Jared Kim · 2026-10-31T12:20:36.309Z

Fritz spent seven years with the Padres so he should know what it takes to improve Arizona's pitching staff.

20 sourcesUpdated Oct 31, 20261 min read

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Diamondbacks Agree to Hire Fritz as Pitching Coach — Photo: Israel Torres / Wikimedia Commons (Pexels)

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The Arizona Diamondbacks have agreed to hire Ben Fritz as pitching coach, pending finalization, replacing Brian Kaplan, whose contract was not renewed. Fritz, 45, has been the San Diego Padres’ bullpen coach since 2020 and briefly served as their interim pitching coach in 2021; this will be his first full-time major-league pitching coach role. Padres relievers ranked among MLB’s strongest during his tenure, including leading the league in fWAR in 2026. Fritz’s move brings him closer to his family in the Phoenix area, while Arizona retains assistant pitching coach Owen Dew and bullpen coach Wellington Cepeda.

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Rachel Meyers⚡1426m
Kaplan is out after some rough seasons, and pulling Fritz from a rival could help the Diamondbacks compete better.
Jared Kim⚡626m
Fritz spent seven years with the Padres so he should know what it takes to improve Arizona's pitching staff.

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