The D-Backs announced their 2025 coaching staff this evening. The previously unreported additions are the hirings of Travis Denker as assistant hitting coach and Owen Dew as assistant pitching coach. Former assistant hitting coach Rick Short is moving to minor league field coordinator, the team announced. Arizona dismissed prior assistant pitching coach Dan Carlson at the end of the season.
It’s the first MLB coaching jobs for both Denker and Dew. The former reached the majors as a player, suiting up in 24 games for the Giants in 2008. Denker spent 12 seasons in the minor leagues. He finished his playing career in the Arizona system in 2017 before moving into coaching. He has spent the past six years coaching in the minors, including two years as a hitting coach with Triple-A Reno.
Dew, 36, is a former Cleveland draftee who pitched in their system for four years. He moved into coaching with Cleveland in 2017. Dew worked his way from short season ball up the minor league ladder, getting to their top affiliate in Columbus in 2023. He spent two years with the Guardians’ Triple-A team before getting the bump to Arizona’s big league staff.
This will be Torey Lovullo’s ninth season at the helm in Phoenix. In addition to Denker and Dew, new hirings include pitching coach Brian Kaplan, bullpen coach Wellington Cepeda, and third base coach Shaun Larkin. Bench coach Jeff Banister, hitting coach Joe Mather, assistant hitting coach Damion Easley, and first base coach Dave McKay are returnees.