Phillies Hire Joe Cronin and Peter Fatse
The Philadelphia Phillies have officially named a new hitting coach and assistant hitting coach for the upcoming season.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Baseball
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The Philadelphia Phillies have hired Peter Fatse as their new hitting coach and Joe Cronin as an assistant hitting coach. This move follows the club's elimination in the 2026 National League Wild Card Series.
Why it matters
The organization is restructuring its coaching staff to address hitting performance following a recent postseason exit. These appointments aim to integrate new strategic approaches into the team's offensive development.
Peter Fatse previously served as the hitting coach for the Boston Red Sox for 5 seasons. Joe Cronin spent 4 seasons playing for the Minnesota Twins before transitioning into coaching roles.
The players
Peter Fatse
He is the new hitting coach for the Philadelphia Phillies who previously served in the same capacity for the Boston Red Sox.
Joe Cronin
He is the new assistant hitting coach for the Philadelphia Phillies and previously held a strategy coaching role with the Boston Red Sox.
Kevin Long
He is the former hitting coach for the Philadelphia Phillies who has been replaced by the team's new coaching hires.
Edwar Gonzalez
He remains on the Philadelphia Phillies coaching staff as an assistant hitting coach.
Alex Cora
He was fired from the Boston Red Sox organization alongside Cronin and Fatse in April 2026.
The details
Peter Fatse joins the staff to replace Kevin Long, while Joe Cronin joins Edwar Gonzalez, who remains with the team as an assistant hitting coach. Both Fatse and Cronin were previously with the Boston Red Sox organization until April 2026.
Timeline
2021: Joe Cronin joined the Boston Red Sox organization.
2022-2026: Peter Fatse served as a hitting coach for the Red Sox.
April 2026: Joe Cronin and Peter Fatse were fired by Boston.
June 2026: Peter Fatse began working as a consultant for the Tampa Bay Rays.
October 27, 2026: The Philadelphia Phillies announced the new coaching hires.
Season Trajectory
These coaching changes represent a direct effort to maintain the club's streak of reaching the playoffs for 5 consecutive seasons. The team is looking to move past their 2026 National League Wild Card Series disappointment by refining their offensive strategy.
The transition to a new hitting coach and assistant indicates a shift in the team's offensive philosophy that will influence upcoming roster construction and spring training preparations. Fans should monitor how these strategic changes affect individual player output during the next season.
The takeaway
Coaching changes at the professional level often signal a pivot in organizational strategy rather than just personnel management. Understanding these roles helps observers predict how the team might adjust its offensive approach in the upcoming season.
Further reading
For more updates on the team, visit the Philadelphia Baseball section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Portland Press Herald.
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