Currently, the San Diego Padres are set in terms of the nucleus of their coaching staff. Manager Mike Shildt is blessed to have Ruben Niebla and Victor Rodriguez by his side. This trio is getting results with the Padres. 

In a recent press conference with San Diego media, A.J. Preller fielded questions about the future of some of his coaches.

Manager Mike Shildt will be in the last year of his contract in 2025 and is certainly due for an extension. The Padres G.M. was asked about Shildt signing an extension, and in true Preller fashion, he danced around the question but recognized the fact that his manager was due for an extension. The two sides will likely get something done this winter.

There are also reports that some teams are coveting the Padres pitching coach Ruben Niebla for a possible managerial job. Preller indicated that Niebla is happy in San Diego and that they will address any issues that arise this winter. It is unclear if Niebla has managing aspirations.

Both men love San Diego, and what they have created with the Padres, so there is little to no expectation that either will leave anytime soon.

Victor Rodriguez came to the Padres this past winter and made an immediate impact on the offense as the team’s hitting coach. It was like night and day the way the Padres approached their at-bats in 2024. The team struck out less frequently (leading the league in fewest K’s) and put in quality at-bats with runners in scoring position (something they badly struggled with the year before).

Ironically, Rodriguez joined the Padres from the Guardians like Ruben Niebla. Each man is clearly a communicator. They get in touch with their players and help them understand the game with a better focus. The Padres bought into his philosophy this past season and should only continue to thrive with Rodriguez in charge of the hitters.

These three men are coming off one of the most impressive seasons in Padres history.

The team failed in the end, but it was an exciting year that saw the franchise shatter its attendance records. The Padres are a hot team and the core group of players are currently under contract for close to a decade. The fans are enthralled with their Padres, and the team will continue to reap the benefits financially.

Mike Shildt is a calming influence in the locker room. The baseball lifer is also unafraid to utilize his coaching staff. A lot of the time, managers simply try to do too much. They think they need to control every aspect of the team. It is always better to trust your staff and allow them to do their job. With his focus on the overall product, Shildt is getting outstanding results from the whole 26-man roster.

With the trio of Shildt, Niebla, and Rodriguez, the Padres are poised to be competitive for a long time.

The roster is loaded, and with these men in place, expect results for the Padres moving forward.

James Clark

James was born and raised in America’s Finest City. He is a passionate baseball fan with even more passion towards his hometown Padres. Editor-In-Chief of EastVillageTimes.com. Always striving to bring you the highest quality in San Diego Sports News. Original content, with original ideas, that’s our motto. Enjoy.