D-backs Announce 2025 Coaching Staff

December 13th, 2024

The Arizona Diamondbacks coaching staff under Manager Torey Lovullo (9th season) for the 2025 season includes 4 returning coaches and 5 new. Returning to the staff are Jeff Banister (bench coach, 4th season), Dave McKay (first base coach, 12th season), Joe Mather (hitting coach, 4th season) and Damion Easley (assistant hitting coach, 4th season). Rick Short has transitioned to Minor League Field Coordinator after serving as Major League assistant hitting coach and Minor League assistant hitting coordinator from 2021-24.

The 5 new coaches are:

Brian Kaplan – Major League Pitching Coach

  • Spent the previous 3 seasons (2022-24) as the Phillies’ Assistant Pitching Coach and Director of Pitching, where he oversaw pitching development with the Major League club as well as throughout the organization, integrating multiple groups within player development (strength and conditioning, athletic training, etc.) to create individualized plans.
  • From 2019-21, served as an integrative baseball performance consultant with the Phillies.

Wellington Cepeda – Bullpen Coach

  • Rejoins the D-backs after he spent the last 5 seasons (2020-24) as the Marlins' bullpen coach.
  • Previously spent 19 seasons in Arizona’s organization as Manager of Rookie-league AZL D-backs (2019), Short-Season Pitching Coordinator (2016-18) and Minor League Pitching Coach for various affiliates (2001-15).
  • Played 4 seasons in the D-backs' organization (1997-2000).

Shaun Larkin – Major League Third Base/Infield Coach

  • Served as the D-backs’ Director of Player Development in 2024.
  • Spent 8 seasons (2016-23) with the Dodgers' player development as Field Coordinator (2020-23), Asst. Field Coordinator (2019-20) and Skill Development Coordinator (2015-19).
  • Played in parts of 6 seasons in Cleveland's Minor League system from 2002-06, including stints on teams that D-backs' manager Torey Lovullo guided.

Travis Denker – Major League Assistant Hitting Coach

  • Spent the previous 6 seasons in the D-backs organization as a hitting coach with Triple-A Reno (2023-24), Double-A Amarillo (2021-22) and High-A Visalia (2019) and bench coach with Visalia (2018).
  • Played 24 games with the Giants in 2008.
  • Played in parts of 13 Minor League seasons with 6 different organizations from 2003-12/’16-17, including the D-backs (2016-17).

Owen Dew – Major League Assistant Pitching Coach

  • Spent the previous 8 seasons as a pitching coach in the Guardians' organization with Triple-A Columbus (2023-24), Double-A Akron (2021-22), Single-A Lake County (2019), Rookie-League AZL Guardians (2018) and Short-Season A Mahoning Valley (2017).
  • Played in parts of 4 seasons with Cleveland's organization (2010-13).