The Philadelphia Phillies have hired Peter Fatse as their new hitting coach. Fatse replaces Kevin Long, whom the club let go after five seasons following an offensive drop-off in 2026. Philadelphia’s team OPS fell from fourth in the majors at .759 in 2025 to 22nd at .707 this past season, according to NBC Sports Philadelphia, while their batting average dropped from .258 to .240.
Coaching Career and Boston Red Sox Tenure
Fatse, 39, transitions to Philadelphia after spending more than six seasons on the Boston Red Sox major league staff, as reported by NBC Sports Philadelphia. He joined Boston as an assistant hitting coach ahead of the 2020 season and earned a promotion to hitting coach in December 2021. During his four full seasons leading the Boston offense, the team finished among the top six in the majors in batting average in each of his first three years. Fatse, manager Alex Cora, and other members of the coaching staff were let go by Boston in April after the team started the 2026 season with a 10-17 record. During the summer, Fatse worked as a hitting consultant in the Tampa Bay Rays’ baseball research and development department, according to NBC Sports Philadelphia.
Playing Background and Early Coaching Path
Before his coaching career, Fatse played three seasons at UConn before the Milwaukee Brewers selected him in the 24th round of the 2009 MLB Draft, as detailed by NBC Sports Philadelphia. He spent two seasons in Milwaukee’s minor league system and later played independent baseball in 2011 and 2012 before ending his official playing career. In 2010, he founded the Advanced Performance Academy in Massachusetts, per MLB.com. He returned to professional baseball as a minor league hitting coordinator for the Minnesota Twins in 2019 before joining the Red Sox organization later that year.
The Phillies have hired Peter Fatse as their hitting coach, per @ToddZolecki.Fatse served as the Red Sox hitting coach before getting fired in April 2026. pic.twitter.com/4rmUByDuZM
Managerial Context and Roster Outlook
President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski targeted a coach capable of using contemporary analytical information while communicating effectively with both veterans and younger players, notes NBC Sports Philadelphia. Dombrowski previously ran the Boston front office from 2015 to 2019. The Phillies fired Rob Thomson and made Don Mattingly interim manager. At season’s end, the Phillies removed the interim tag from Mattingly and signed him to a two-year contract on October 15, 2026. Fatse now takes over an offense that struggled behind Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber in 2026, ranking 19th in MLB with 713 runs scored after finishing in the top eight in runs scored in each of the previous four seasons.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Hire
Has the Philadelphia Phillies organization officially announced the hiring of Peter Fatse?
No. The team has not officially announced the move, which was first reported by The Athletic and subsequently confirmed to MLB.com and NBC Sports Philadelphia by sources.
When did Peter Fatse leave his previous position with the Boston Red Sox?
Fatse left the Red Sox on April 25, when team leadership dismissed him alongside manager Alex Cora and four other members of the coaching staff following a 10-17 start to the season.
What role did Peter Fatse hold with the Tampa Bay Rays after leaving Boston?
Fatse worked as a hitting consultant in the Rays’ baseball research and development department during the summer following his departure from Boston.