who is craig stammen
Craig Stammen is an American former Major League Baseball pitcher who is now the manager of the San Diego Padres.
Who Craig Stammen is
Craig Nicholas Stammen is a baseball figure best known for his long career as a right-handed pitcher in MLB before moving into coaching and leadership roles. He was born on March 9, 1984, in North Star, Ohio, and played multiple sports in high school before focusing on baseball.
Playing career snapshot
Stammen was drafted by the Washington Nationals in the 12th round of the 2005 MLB Draft and debuted in MLB with them in 2009. He later became a key reliever for the San Diego Padres, pitching effectively out of their bullpen for several seasons until injuries led to his retirement in 2023.
Role with the Padres
After retiring, Stammen joined the Padres’ front office as a special assistant in baseball operations, using his experience to help with player development and strategy. In November 2025, he was promoted to become the Padres’ manager, an unusual but headline-grabbing move because he had no prior formal managing experience.
Why he’s in the news
Stammen has been a trending topic recently because the Padres hired him as their new manager on a multi-year deal, replacing Mike Shildt. Media and fan discussions often highlight both the surprise factor of the hire and the hope that his recent playing experience will help him connect with a modern clubhouse.
Quick fact table (HTML)
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full name | Craig Nicholas Stammen | [3]
| Born | March 9, 1984, North Star, Ohio | [3]
| Notable teams as player | Washington Nationals, San Diego Padres | [3]
| Retirement as player | Announced August 4, 2023 | [3]
| Post- playing role | Special Assistant to Padres Baseball Operations | [5]
| Current role (2026) | Manager, San Diego Padres | [6][2][4]
Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.