The Fort Wayne TinCaps, gearing up for the 2024 season, are ushering in a new era with fresh faces in the dugout, headlined by their new manager, Mike Daly. The San Diego Padres revealed the revamped coaching staff on Tuesday, signaling a strategic shift for the minor league affiliate.
Daly, 45, steps into his first managerial role after a successful tenure as the Padres’ Assistant Director of Player Development since the fall of 2021. Born in Atlanta and raised in Ohio, Daly’s baseball journey took him from a right-handed batting infielder on two national championship teams at LSU to a seasoned professional with more than two decades of experience.
Daly began his professional career in the front office as a scout, working for Cleveland from 2001-06. His path then led him to the Texas Rangers, where he spent 15 seasons, eventually ascending to the role of assistant general manager. Throughout his time with the Rangers, Daly played a pivotal role in major league operations, amateur and international scouting, as well as overseeing player development and the minor league system.
Daly won’t be alone in the TinCaps‘ dugout, with notable additions to the coaching staff. Former MLB pitcher Tom Eshelman takes the reins as the new pitching coach, while Jed Morris assumes the role of hitting coach, and Jhonaldo Pozo steps in as the bench coach.
Mike Daly Joined by Familiar Faces
The TinCaps also see familiar faces return from the 2023 staff: Lauren Gottschall as athletic trainer, Chandler Craig as strength coach, Sam Lewis as clubhouse manager, and Greg Bender as performance analyst.
Jonathan Mathews, who managed the team during the 2023 season, transitions to a role as one of San Diego’s minor league hitting coordinators.
TinCaps President Mike Nutter expressed excitement about the upcoming season and the new coaching lineup. “As we enter our 15th anniversary season at Parkview Field, we also celebrate our 25th anniversary as an affiliate of the Padres,” said Nutter. “We’ve been blessed over the years to have had amazing people here from Jake Peavy to Fernando Tatis Jr. and dozens more who’ve made it from Fort Wayne to San Diego, including staff members. It’s been a pleasure working with Mike Daly the past two seasons and we’re incredibly excited to have him and the rest of this group leading the latest wave of Padres prospects. We’re also glad that we’ll still see our friend Jonathan Mathews as a roving coordinator and wish the best to those from last year’s staff who have new assignments.”
Daly and the TinCaps open the season on April 5th when they hit the road to take on the Great Lakes Loons.