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Preston Mattingly, son of former Major League Baseball (MLB) star and manager Don Mattingly, was officially promoted to General Manager of the Philadelphia Phillies on Friday, under the leadership of President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski. The move marks a significant shift in the team’s front office, as the 37-year-old Mattingly steps into a prominent leadership role after rising through the ranks in player development.
Shared GM duties: Mattingly and Fuld collaborate
Sam Fuld, who has served as the GM since December 2020, will continue to share GM duties with Mattingly while pursuing his Master of Business Administration (MBA) at the University of Pennsylvania’s prestigious Wharton School. Fuld is expected to transition into the role of president of business operations once he completes his degree in May 2026.
“Sam and Preston are two of the best young people in the game,” said Dombrowski, praising the duo for their potential and work ethic. “They’re outstanding in every respect. We have a good relationship between all of us and really, you kind of look towards the future and say, ‘Well, how will this all work out?’”
With Dombrowski under contract through 2027, he will have the opportunity to mentor Mattingly, preparing him for a future as the head of baseball operations. Dombrowski, 68, expressed confidence in Mattingly’s leadership abilities, suggesting he could one day take the reins of the organization.
“I think he has the ability to be the general manager and the head of baseball operations for years to come,” Dombrowski added.
Mattingly’s path to GM: From minor leagues to player development
Preston Mattingly’s journey to the GM position has been a steady climb through various roles in baseball operations. After having been part of the minor leagues from 2006 to 2011, Mattingly attended Lamar University, where he captained the basketball team and earned a degree in 2016. He then worked for the San Diego Padres from 2017 to 2021, eventually rising to the position of coordinator of major league scouting and game planning.
In 2021, Mattingly joined the Phillies as the director of player development and was promoted to assistant general manager of player development just last November. Mattingly expressed his excitement about his new role and his passion for the game.
“I’m very excited about the role,” Mattingly said. “Honestly, I just love baseball. It means so much to me. It’s been my life since I was born. … I was very excited to get to work with the people we have in the organization. They challenge you every single day and we all share the same vision of helping the Philadelphia Phillies achieve their ultimate goal, which is to win the World Series.”
Fuld’s future as President of business operations
Once Fuld completes his MBA program, he will transition into the role of president of business operations, taking over for current president Dave Buck, who is retiring in December. In the interim, Fuld will continue overseeing baseball operations while working alongside Mattingly and other staff members to maintain a smooth transition.
“I’ve always been interested in the business side of baseball,” Fuld shared. “It’s always been compelling to me. This came out of a conversation I had with Dave and (managing partner John Middleton) in the spring, and we talked about the short-term, the mid-term and the long-term implications of this opportunity. It wasn’t something I had given a ton of thought to at the time, but after I digested it and wrapped my head around it, it felt like a really compelling opportunity both professionally and personally.”
Other promotions in Phillies Baseball operations
Along with Mattingly’s promotion, the Phillies announced two additional promotions within the baseball operations department. Luke Murton has been named the new director of player development, while Edwar Gonzalez will take on the role of director of hitting development.
Don Mattingly’s legacy
Preston’s father, Don Mattingly, had a storied career as a player and manager. A six-time All-Star, Don Mattingly played for the New York Yankees from 1982-1995, earning numerous accolades before managing the Los Angeles Dodgers from 2011-2015 and the Miami Marlins from 2016-2022. His legacy in the game of baseball has paved the way for his son to make his own mark in the sport.
