The Philadelphia Phillies have officially named Peter Fatse as their new hitting coach, moving to fill a critical vacancy in their coaching staff as the organization seeks to rebound from a frustrating 2026 offensive campaign. Fatse replaces Kevin Long, who was dismissed from the role several weeks ago following a season where the Phillies’ high-priced lineup struggled to meet expectations.
Fatse, 39, arrives in Philadelphia after a lengthy tenure with the Boston Red Sox, where he established himself as a prominent figure in hitting instruction. His journey to the major league coaching ranks began in 2009 when he was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers. After a stint in the Brewers’ minor league system and subsequent years in independent ball in 2011 and 2012, Fatse transitioned into coaching. He secured a minor league coaching position with the Minnesota Twins in 2019, but his rise was rapid; after just one season, the Red Sox hired him as their major league assistant hitting coach. Following the departure of Tim Hyers after the 2021 season, Fatse was promoted to the lead hitting coach position in Boston.
During his time overseeing the Red Sox offense from 2022 to 2025, the team produced a collective slash line of .255/.322/.419, resulting in a weighted runs created plus (wRC+) of 104. However, Fatse’s tenure in Boston ended abruptly in April 2026 when a poor start to the season triggered a comprehensive staff overhaul. The Red Sox fired manager Alex Cora and several members of his staff, including Fatse, as part of that organizational purge.
The hiring represents a familiar connection for Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski. While Dombrowski’s time leading the Red Sox front office only briefly overlapped with Fatse’s arrival, Dombrowski maintains a long-standing and close professional relationship with Alex Cora. The Phillies had previously attempted to recruit Cora to manage the club following the firing of Rob Thomson, but Cora declined the offer twice—once in April and again at the conclusion of the 2026 season—opting instead to spend time with his family.
After failing to secure Cora as manager, the Phillies moved forward by removing the interim tag from Don Mattingly and signing him to a two-year contract. The decision to bring Fatse into the fold suggests a desire to implement the offensive philosophies that Dombrowski grew to respect during his time in Boston, even if he was unable to land Cora himself.
The coaching change comes at a pivotal time for the Phillies, who narrowly escaped missing the postseason in 2026. The team only secured a playoff berth on the final day of the regular season, a result largely attributed to a stagnant offense. Of the 11 hitters who recorded at least 130 plate appearances for Philadelphia last year, only Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper managed to post a wRC+ higher than 102. High-profile regulars including Trea Turner and J.T. Realmuto finished the season with production levels well below their established career norms. The Phillies front office is banking on Fatse’s approach to unlock the potential of these veterans and restore the lineup to its previous status as one of the most feared in the National League.
