SAN DIEGO — Padres general manager A.J. Preller used words like “different lens,” “leader,” “unique,” and “familiarity” when describing his new manager, Craig Stammen, during his introductory press conference.
Preller spoke for six minutes in his opening remarks as he welcomed his fifth manager in his 11-year tenure.
Stammen has been part of the organization since 2017, spending six seasons as a player (2017–2022) before transitioning to a role as assistant to the major league coaching staff and baseball operations department in January 2024.
That means Preller has worked with him for more than seven years.
“I think the part that was that was fun to watch over the course of that first season and the years to come were the reasons why he’s in this chair here today,” Preller said. “An elite competitor, incredibly hard worker, very prepared and a natural leader, and somebody that you know as a pitcher was able to touch different elements of our clubhouse and be able to bond and connect with different players in that clubhouse over the course of a seven, eight year period here with San Diego.”
So, how did this all happen?
“He was very coy about it at the beginning,” Stammen said. “We kind of got through the interview process, the beginning of it, and then he put the sales kibosh on me and said, ’I really want you to be a part of the process; I want you to think about being the manager of the Padres.’”
The Padres conducted numerous interviews, including with pitching coach Ruben Niebla, whom Preller also considered highly qualified.
Instead, Niebla will remain as pitching coach—a key move for the organization, as he has built one of the best bullpens in MLB.
Brandon Pollard – The Sporting Tribune
Padres General Manager A.J. Preller speaks to media as Craig Stammen is introduced as the new Padres manager, Monday November 10, 2025 in San Diego, Calif.
Niebla and Stammen have great mutual respect, having worked together previously, and the new Padres manager made it clear he plans to lean on him.
“I have so much respect for Ruben,” Stammen said. “I had the privilege of being a player under him and being able to see how he can coach players and get the best out of them. And then the last few years [as a special assistant in the front office], I’ve seen his processes, kind of behind the scenes on how he’s able to get the best out of all of our players.
“Honestly, he’s the guy I’m going to rely on the most. His experience — I think he’s one of the best coaches in our entire sport, not just pitching coaches, but coaches overall. And we’re going to put a lot on his plate. I’m going to put a lot on his plate. I’m excited to work with Ruben. It’s going to be an extension of our relationship that started with me as a player, and now we get to work hand in hand as manager, pitching coach. I’m excited about it. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”
Preller emphasized that Stammen brings a “different lens” because he’s shared a clubhouse with core players like Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado—something other candidates, such as Albert Pujols, have not.
That “different lens” also comes from being in big-game situations, like Game 3 of the 2020 Wild Card Series against the St. Louis Cardinals. Stammen pitched 1 2/3 innings in that deciding game, helping the Padres win their first postseason series since 1998.
Now, the former reliever is teaming up with one of the best pitching coaches in baseball, so there shouldn’t be a drop-off in pitching performance.
“One of the advantages of being a relief pitcher and viewing the game from that lens is you’re always monitoring when the pitching changes are coming,” Stammen said. “Especially in the role I had, I had to be ready from pitch one until the end of the game.”
When asked if he ever imagined being a manager, Stammen recalled a conversation on a team plane with Machado, Eric Hosmer, Ian Kinsler, and Wil Myers. One of them mentioned he’d make a good manager.
He remembered replying, “You think I could manage you guys?”
“Having support of past teammates, past coaches, being able to, like, push me in that direction, has made me feel like this is possible,” Stammen said.
Brandon Pollard – The Sporting Tribune
Craig Stammen poses with his family as he is introduced as the new Padres manager, Monday November 10, 2025 in San Diego, Calif.
Preller hasn’t found consistent success with first-time managers, achieving his best results under veteran leaders. But he believes the four words he kept emphasizing—“different lens,” “leader,” “unique,” and “familiarity”—explain why Stammen can succeed where others didn’t.
“He’s a guy that has played and been in a locker room with some of our core players, and understands what makes them tick,” Preller said. “The last couple years with Shildty in the staff, he saw some really good processes that he understands things that lead to winning and that he can help continue and help continue to grow.”
It was overwhelming for Mike Shildt, rough at times for Bob Melvin, and too early for Andy Green and Jayce Tingler.
“So I know nationally, it may be a little bit of a surprise in terms of the choice in the selection, but I think anybody, I think for anybody that’s been around Craig here in San Diego familiar with him, and definitely for everybody in this in this room I think it was a pretty easy fit,” Preller said.
There are still questions—why Stammen, how will he manage the personalities, and how far can he take this team? Melvin led them the furthest, while Shildt made them the most consistent.
San Diego is hungry for a championship, and the clock is ticking. As soon as Stammen put on the jersey, all eyes were on him.
“The best part about this Padres organization is the people that we have and how great they are at all their jobs,” Stammen said. “And I’m going to rely on all those people. This isn’t a one-man Craig Stammen show. … Rely on a lot of people to have my back and create processes that lead us to the championship.”