The Padres GM announced that the team has agreed to a three-year contract with Stammen to become their new manager.
SAN DIEGO — The San Diego Padres have hired Craig Stammen as their new manager on a three-year contract, President of Baseball Operations & General Manager A.J. Preller announced Thursday in a press release. This will be his first managerial job at any level of the sport.
Stammen, 41, spent nearly a decade with the organization and most recently served as a special assistant to the Major League staff and baseball operations following his retirement as a player on August 4, 2023. The 2026 season will mark his third year with the Padres in a coaching staff or front office role.
Stammen replaces Mike Shildt, who retired Oct. 13 after just two seasons. The Padres won at least 90 games and made the playoffs in both seasons under Shildt, who cited burnout and exhaustion in announcing his retirement.
“Craig has been a strong presence in our organization for nearly a decade,” Preller said. “He possesses deep organizational knowledge and brings natural leadership qualities to the Manager’s chair. As both a player and in his post-playing career, Craig has displayed an ability to elevate those around him. His strength of character, competitive nature and talent for bringing people together make him the ideal choice to lead the Padres.”
Stammen pitched in 13 major league seasons, including his final six with the Padres from 2017-22. The right-hander compiled a 55-44 record with a 3.66 ERA across 562 Major League appearances, primarily with the Washington Nationals from 2009-15 before joining San Diego.
His tenure with the Padres was particularly productive. Stammen made 333 appearances with San Diego, the fifth-most in franchise history. From 2017-22, his 333 appearances ranked second-most in the National League, trailing only Kenley Jansen’s 357.
Beyond his on-field accomplishments, Stammen has been recognized for his character and community involvement. He was the Padres’ 2022 nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award and was selected as the Major League representative for the 2020 Bob Feller Act of Valor Award. In 2017, he received the Padres Chairman’s Award for his philanthropic efforts and work in the community.
A native of North Star, Ohio, Stammen was drafted by the Nationals in the 12th round of the 2005 First-Year Player Draft out of the University of Dayton. He went 9-6 with a 2.80 ERA during his junior season for the Flyers, earning Atlantic 10 All-Conference honors, and left Dayton as the program’s all-time leader in strikeouts.