Baseball Lifer Phillip Wellman Named New Chihuahuas Manager

For Phillip Wellman, baseball is in his blood. That started professionally in 1984 when he played as a 22-year old for the Anderson Braves in the Sally League. Following four seasons where the nearly every game was spent in A Ball, Wellman retired as a player in 1987 and then he received his first Minor League Baseball Manager job in 1992 with the Gulf Coast League Orioles. 22 seasons later, he gets his first chance to manage in Triple-A. The baseball lifer was named the seventh manager in El Paso Chihuahuas history.

"I’m extremely excited about the coming season," Wellman said in the official team release. "The Padres have blessed me with a tremendous staff and I’m sure we’ll have very talented players as well. Going to work in a top notch facility with a loyal fan base is something I look forward to being a part of."

For Chihuahuas general manager and MountainStar Sports Group vice president Brad Taylor, the addition of Wellmen is a homecoming of sorts. The 61-year old was managing a Rookie League team nearly 30 years ago when Taylor started his baseball front career. "We are eager to work with our new field staff for the 10th Anniversary Season," Taylor said. "I am especially excited to be reunited with Phillip Wellman, as he was my first manager in professional baseball in 1995 in Huntington, West Virginia."

The Chihuahuas’ 2023 staff also includes pitching coach Scott Mitchell, assistant pitching coach Jimmy Jones, hitting coach Raul Padron, bench coach Brian Esposito, athletic trainers Josh DiLoreto and Maritza Castro and strength coach A.J. Russell.

The Chihuahuas’ 2023 regular season starts on Friday, March 31 at home against the Sugar Land Space Cowboys (Houston Astros affiliate). Tickets for Opening Day will go on sale at a later date.

Season Seat Memberships are on sale now. For more information, call 915-533-BASE (2273), text 915-666-2005 or visit epchihuahuas.com.