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Padres Hire Steven Souza Jr. as Hitting Coach, Add Randy Knorr as Bench Coach

The hires mix a novice voice with long-tenured guidance to support first-year manager Craig Stammen.

Overview

  • Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune reported the moves on Monday, and local outlets note the club has not formally announced them.
  • Steven Souza Jr., 36, has no MLB coaching experience and spent 2025 as a Rays special assistant after retiring as a player in 2022.
  • Randy Knorr, 57, offers extensive experience and previously worked with Stammen in Washington, including a stint as the Nationals' bench coach from 2012 to 2015.
  • Brian Esposito will move from bench coach to an unspecified role, and pitching coaches Ruben Niebla and Ben Fritz are expected to remain.
  • San Diego still needs a third base coach, and last season's low home-run output frames offseason decisions after an otherwise strong contact and on-base profile.