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Phillies Hire Former Red Sox Hitting Coach to Boost Struggling Offense
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- Phillies Hire Former Red Sox Hitting Coach to Boost Struggling Offense
Phillies Hire Former Red Sox Hitting Coach to Boost Struggling Offense originally appeared on NESN . Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
The Philadelphia Phillies have a clear offensive problem to address heading into 2027. After several seasons of strong run production, the lineup took a step backward this year, prompting the organization to make a change at hitting coach.
Philadelphia announced Tuesday that Peter Fatse will fill the position after previously holding the same job with the Boston Red Sox . He replaces Kevin Long , who will not return to the Phillies' coaching staff next season.
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The Phillies scored 713 runs in 2026, placing 16th among MLB teams . Their production had remained considerably higher in each of the previous four seasons, when they scored between 747 and 796 runs annually.
That decline gives Fatse an immediate challenge as Philadelphia looks to remain a contender. The coaching change also comes as the club continues to reshape its staff under manager Don Mattingly, who received a two-year contract earlier this month.
Fatse spent parts of five seasons as Boston's hitting coach, earning the position after two years as an assistant. His tenure ended in April 2026, when the Red Sox dismissed him, manager Alex Cora and several other coaches following a difficult start to the season.
Mattingly said the Phillies believe Fatse's approach will suit the organization.
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"I am very excited to add Pete to our staff," Mattingly said in a team release . "He has a track record of being a great communicator who prioritizes collaboration, and we truly feel that with his skill set and approach, he is a great fit for the organization."
Fatse will not be the only addition to Philadelphia's hitting staff. The team also hired Joe Cronin as an assistant hitting coach and retained Edwar Gonzalez, who joined the major league staff in 2026 after working in the organization's player development department.
Philadelphia will now look to Fatse to help its hitters produce more consistently. While roster changes could influence the lineup's results next season, the Phillies are betting that a different voice on the coaching staff can help reverse the offensive decline.
