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 from Isaac Azout of Fish on First, Cepeda will join the team as bullpen coach and assistant pitching coach for the Snakes.
For Cepeda, it’s a bit of a homecoming. He has deep roots in the Diamondbacks organization, having played for them in the minor leagues from 1997 to 2000. Although he never advanced beyond the High-A level as a player, he made the transition to training after hanging up his crampons. He spent many years working with minor league clubs in the Arizona system before finally getting a taste of the big leagues in 2020 with the Miami Marlins.
Cepeda spent five years as Miami’s bullpen coach, but recent changes within the Marlins organization have led to an overhaul of their coaching staff. This opened up an opportunity for Cepeda to return to his beginnings – in Arizona.
The Diamondbacks have also seen changes on their coaching staff. 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 the addition of Cepeda to Kaplan’s staff, the Diamondbacks hope these moves help turn around their struggling pitching staff.
In 2024, Arizona pitchers had a collective earned run average (ERA) of 4.63. That ranked them 27th out of 30 Major League Baseball teams – just 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 look to benefit from his expertise in the bullpen and pitcher development. His return to the organization brings a sense of familiarity and continuity, which could help establish a solid foundation for the team’s pitching staff.
As the Diamondbacks make these coaching changes, their goal is to create a winning culture and improve player performance. By adding Cepeda to their coaching staff, they are sending a clear message that they are determined to turn things around and get back on track.
Only time will tell if these moves will have the desired impact, but one thing is certain: the Diamondbacks aren’t afraid to shake things up to succeed. With Wellington Cepeda now on board, Arizona fans can look forward to seeing how this new coaching staff will shape the team’s future on the pitching front.
