Padres' Stammen Brings Steady Hand to Dugout in Early Tenure

New manager Craig Stammen isn't afraid to take risks as he begins his first season leading the team.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 1:03am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a baseball game or match, with sharp, overlapping planes of color representing the players and action on the field.Stammen's creative lineup decisions have expanded the Padres' flexibility and kept the team competitive in the early going.San Diego Today

In his first season as Padres manager, Craig Stammen has shown a willingness to try creative lineup moves and aggressive baserunning, even if some of his pitching decisions have been curious. Stammen, a former Padres reliever, brings a steady, centered presence to the dugout, similar to that of former manager Bruce Bochy, and has earned praise from players for his baseball acumen and ability to remain level-headed.

Why it matters

Stammen's unorthodox moves, like shifting star Fernando Tatis Jr. to second base, demonstrate a manager unafraid to take risks and think outside the box. His ability to keep the team focused and avoid getting caught up in the highs and lows of the game will be crucial as the Padres navigate a long season.

The details

In his first 16 games as Padres manager, Stammen has led the team to a 10-6 record. His creative decision to move Tatis to second base has paid dividends, allowing the team to get more at-bats for backups while keeping Tatis engaged. Stammen has also encouraged an aggressive baserunning approach that has largely worked in the team's favor. However, some of his pitching decisions have been questioned, with the former reliever at times sticking with struggling relievers or starters too long.

  • Stammen took over as Padres manager at the start of the 2026 season.
  • The Padres are 10-6 through their first 16 games under Stammen's leadership.

The players

Craig Stammen

The 42-year-old Stammen is in his first season as a manager or coach at any level, after previously working in the Padres' front office. As a player, he spent 13 seasons in the major leagues as a reliever, including seven with the Padres.

Fernando Tatis Jr.

The Padres' star shortstop, who Stammen has moved to second base for spot starts to give the team more lineup flexibility.

Bruce Bochy

The former Padres manager, whom Stammen has been compared to for his steady, centered presence in the dugout.

Jason Adam

A 34-year-old Padres reliever who has praised Stammen's baseball acumen and ability to remain level-headed.

A.J. Preller

The Padres' general manager, who invested time getting to know Bochy before hiring him, and has shown improvement in his managerial hires.

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What they’re saying

“A huge part of the role is to be the steady voice, the one that's not riding the highs and lows of the game. Obviously, they experience 'em. But they're the voice of reason and the voice of discipline. He's sure of himself. He knows who he is. He knows where his value is.”

— Jason Adam, Padres reliever

“He's got a great baseball mind. So much of baseball is just being prepared — and then responding when things go crazy. He's the right mind for that. He's got a steady mind, a bright mind.”

— Jason Adam, Padres reliever

What’s next

As the season progresses, Stammen's in-game decision-making and ability to adapt will be closely watched, especially when it comes to his pitching management. The Padres will look to see if he can continue to make bold, creative moves while maintaining the steady presence that has earned him early praise from players.

The takeaway

Stammen's willingness to take risks and his ability to remain level-headed have made for a promising start to his tenure as Padres manager. If he can continue to blend innovative strategies with sound fundamentals, he could emerge as a long-term solution for a team looking to end its playoff drought.