Souza Jr. and Knorr join Stammen's Padres, rounding out a championship-driven coaching staff aiming for the 2026 postseason.
First-time manager Craig Stammen has finalized his San Diego Padres coaching staff with the additions of Steven Souza Jr. as hitting coach and Randy Knorr as the bench coach. Nearly a month and a half since being named the Padres manager, Stammen can now put his focus solely on how to bring San Diego back to the postseason in 2026.
Souza Jr. joins the Padres staff without much coaching experience at 36 years old, but he brings eight years of MLb experience to the Friars dugout. Knorr will provide more coaching experience as the bench coach, previously spending two decades in the Washington Nationals organization. Stammen and Knorr built their connection in Washington while Stammen was a pitcher.
Here are all the names of those on the Padres’ coaching staff for the 2026 campaign:
Niebla: pitching coach/associate manager
Knorr: bench coach
Souza: hitting coach
Ben Fritz: bullpen coach
Bob Henley: third base coach
David Macias: first base coach, outfield, and baserunning instructor
Mike McCoy: assistant hitting coach
Pat O’Sullivan: assistant hitting coach
Raul Padron: hitting instructor
Vinny Lopez: field coordinator, outfield and baserunning instructor
Nick Punto: infield coach
Ryan Goins: infield instructor
Kevin Plawecki: catching coach
Peter Summerville: game planning and pitching strategist
Heberto Andrade: bullpen catcher and coaching assistant
Chris Apecechea: coaching assistant, pitching
Allen Craig: special assistant, Major League staff, and baseball ops
A.J. Ellis: special assistant, Major League staff, and baseball ops
Many of the names on the staff are returning from last season despite the departure of former manager Mike Shildt at the season’s conclusion. Pitching coach Ruben Niebla is one of those names returning after being considered as the club’s next manager before Stammen ultimately came away with the position. Niebla stays in San Diego anyway, also becoming the club’s associate manager.
Stammen, the Padres, and the coaching staff will do their part in 2026 to bring another successful season to San Diego, which is looking to make their third consecutive postseason appearance.