The Arizona Diamondbacks are making moves to strengthen their coaching staff, and they’re bringing back a familiar face in Wellington Cepeda. According to a report by Isaac Azout of Fish on First, Cepeda will join the team as the bullpen coach and assistant pitching coach for the Snakes.
For Cepeda, this is a homecoming of sorts. He has deep roots in the Diamondbacks’ organization, having played for them in the minors from 1997 to 2000. Although he never made it past the High-A level as a player, he transitioned into coaching after hanging up his cleats. He spent many years working with minor league clubs in Arizona’s system before finally getting his first taste of the big leagues in 2020 with the Miami Marlins.
Cepeda spent five years as the bullpen coach in Miami, but recent changes within the Marlins organization led to an overhaul of their coaching staff. This opened up an opportunity for Cepeda to return to where it all began for him – Arizona.
The Diamondbacks have also been going through some changes within their coaching ranks. Last month, they decided to part ways with pitching coach Brent Strom, bullpen coach Mike Fetters, and assistant pitching coach Dan Carlson. In their place, Brian Kaplan was hired as the new pitching coach. Now, with Cepeda’s addition to Kaplan’s staff, the Diamondbacks are hoping that these moves will help turn around their struggling pitching staff.
In 2024, Arizona’s pitchers had a collective earned run average (ERA) of 4.63. This ranked them 27th out of all 30 teams in Major League Baseball – only ahead of the White Sox, Marlins, and Rockies. It’s clear that improvements are needed on the mound if they want to compete at a higher level.
With Cepeda’s experience and knowledge, the Diamondbacks are looking to benefit from his expertise in the bullpen and pitching development. His return to the organization brings a sense of familiarity and continuity, which could help establish a strong foundation for the team’s pitching staff.
As the Diamondbacks make these coaching changes, their focus is on creating a winning culture and improving player performance. By adding Cepeda to their coaching staff, they’re making a statement that they are committed to turning things around and getting back on track.
Only time will tell if these moves will have the desired impact, but one thing is for certain – the Diamondbacks are not afraid to shake things up in order to achieve success. With Wellington Cepeda now on board, Arizona fans can look forward to seeing how this new-look coaching staff will shape the team’s future on the pitching front.