The Philadelphia Phillies have several candidates to consider for their new bench coach opening. President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said last week that Mike Calitri, who had been the bench coach, is switching his role within the organization. Calitri will be the Phillies' new major league field coordinator beginning next year.
The Phillies will be putting a priority on coaches who have previous managerial experience for their bench coach role. There are many candidates for the club to choose from, some of whom have previous ties to manager Rob Thomson who is returning in 2026.
8 intriguing candidates to fill Phillies' new bench coach opening
David Ross
David Ross may receive another chance to manage a club beginning in 2026. He was the Chicago Cubs' manager from 2020 to 2023. The former catcher was part of two World Series-winning teams during his playing career, with the Boston Red Sox in 2013 and the Cubs three years later.
His previous experience winning championships and recently as Chicago's skipper would be valuable for a Phillies team aiming to win the Fall Classic.
Bob Melvin
Bob Melvin was let go by the San Francisco Giants after managing the team for the last two seasons. He is a three-time Manager of the Year Award winner, once with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2007 and twice with the then Oakland Athletics in 2012 and 2018.
Melvin has made the postseason as a manager eight times, most recently with the San Diego Padres in 2022. His managerial experience of over 20 years makes him a good candidate for what the Phillies are looking for in a new bench coach.
Brandon Hyde
Brandon Hyde managed the Baltimore Orioles from 2019 until this past May. He helped a roster with a young core get to the playoffs in 2023 and 2024. Although the Orioles were unsuccessful in October, they finished with 101 and 91 wins in consecutive seasons.
If Hyde doesn't get hired to be a manager for one of the opening vacancies this winter, accepting the bench coach role with the Phillies may help him get hired as a manager in the future.
Brandon Hyde was ejected while his team was up 14-0 after Colton Cowser was hit by a pitch pic.twitter.com/KBxrtaHiCS
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) July 7, 2023
Derek Shelton
Derek Shelton has a previous connection working with Thomson. Both coached in the New York Yankees' minor league system. Their time coaching together, along with Shelton's experience as the Pittsburgh Pirates manager, makes him a top candidate for the Phillies' bench coach role.
He was the bench coach with the Minnesota Twins from 2018 to 2019 before becoming the Pirates manager in the 2019 offseason. He held the role until May 2025.
Miguel Cairo
Miguel Cairo played for the Yankees in 2004 and again in 2006 and 2007, while Thomson was working in New York's front office. He also played in the minors for the Phillies and briefly with the big league team in 2009.
Cairo was the interim manager for the Chicago White Sox at the end of the 2022 regular season. He assumed the same role for the Washington Nationals this year. If he isn't named their new manager, the Phillies could consider him as their bench coach.
Bruce Bochy
Bruce Bochy has won four World Series as a manager. He won three with the Giants in 2010, 2012 and 2014. He won another championship in 2023 with the Texas Rangers, his first as manager of the team after taking a break from coaching.
Bochy may accept an open managerial position with another club or a front office role with the Rangers. However, if the Phillies are looking to hire someone with previous managerial experience to be their bench coach, he is arguably the most qualified coach available.
Over a year ago, Bruce Bochy was retired sitting on a recliner in Nashville.
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) November 2, 2023
Today, he earned another World Series title. 🏆 pic.twitter.com/mGZDHwIVA1
Rocco Baldelli
Rocco Baldelli was recently let go as the Twins manager following a 70-92 record this year. He began managing the team in 2019, the same year he won the AL Manager of the Year Award. The 44-year-old coached the Twins to three AL Central division titles during his tenure but was unable to find any playoff success.
He may be a managerial candidate for other clubs looking for a new hire, but the Phillies should consider him as their bench coach if he does not accept a managerial position.
Luis Rojas
Luis Rojas managed the New York Mets from 2020 to 2021. He has spent the last four years coaching with the Yankees and was part of the staff that made the 2024 World Series. While he wants to be a manager again, the Phillies could take into account his role with the Mets as a reason to consider him to be their bench coach.