DENVER -- Newly hired Rockies pitching coach Ethan Katz was drafted by the club as a right-handed pitcher in 2005, and watched and dreamed from Single-A as the big club made it to the World Series two years later. His path, however, didn’t lead him to Coors Field.
“I blew my arm out on my way to High-A, so I didn’t make it that far,” said Katz, whose hiring was announced on Monday. “Obviously, the dream was to get there. I didn’t make it that far, but I do have fond memories. Watching how exciting it was for the organization still rings in my mind.”
Katz, 41, is reunited with manager Warren Schaeffer, a teammate in 2008 at Single-A Asheville.
“He was an extremely hard worker -- everyone gravitated to him as a leader of the group,” Katz said. “He played a ton of different positions, and was somebody that you know really respected. Obviously, that has carried over to him as a coach, as well.”
Not knowing the new opportunity would arise, Katz said he was impressed with the approach of the Rockies when they played at Houston in mid-April.
“I let him know how impressed I was with the turnaround -- just everything I saw from playing the Rockies over the years,” Katz said. “Everything looked and felt different. That doesn't take away from what's gone on in the past. I just thought it was a testament to how well he's was getting things going in the right direction.”
Katz arrives in Denver with experience that includes a stint as the White Sox pitching coach 2021-25. He served as the Astros’ assistant pitching coach last year.
The opening occurred when the Rockies parted ways with Alon Leichman after one season that saw the Rockies (58-104) post MLB's highest team ERAs: 5.59 overall and 6.28 among starters. Katz is well versed in advanced information -- an emphasis for the Rockies -- but believes success comes the personal way.
“My biggest strength is my relationship with the pitchers,” said Katz, who said he is still close to the pitchers he mentored with the White Sox. “I feel very well versed in everything, and there have been some big delivery and pitch changes throughout my time in the big leagues. But first and foremost, you have to connect with players.”
After Katz’s playing career ended, he served as head coach at Harvard Westlake High School in North Hollywood, Calif., where his pitching staffs included Max Fried, Lucas Giolito and Jack Flaherty. Katz joined the White Sox after the 2020 season, rejoining Giolito, who had recommended him. The 2021 White Sox went to the postseason behind a staff that included double-figure-winning starters Carlos Rodón (13-5), Dylan Cease (13-7), Giolito (11-9) and Lance Lynn (11-6) -- with Dallas Keuchel (9-9) just missing that level of success.
“It was my first big league job, and have been through a ton over there with a lot of different guys, different parts, different stages -- from the playoffs to a rebuild,” Katz said. “It was a great opportunity to help develop and be a part of some guys that went on to be All-Stars and in Cy Young Award contention. It was a very memorable time there.
“We had Shane Smith, Johnny Cueto -- a lot of veterans to younger guys. It helped a lot, breaking in younger guys at the big league level and having veteran guys who are on the back end of their careers trying to find ways to prolong their careers or help guys get their next big contract.”
Katz is also being reunited with Rockies director of pitching Matt Daniels. With the Giants, Daniels was director of pitching sciences while Katz served as assistant pitching coordinator (2019) and Major League assistant pitching coach (2020).
“I have a close relationship with Matt,” Katz said. “His first time in pro ball was with me with the Giants. That's kind of where our relationship started. And we've kept in touch throughout the years and constantly been a soundboard for one another.”
Schaeffer said Katz brings much-desired Major League coaching experience to the staff.
“It was always impressive to me the impact that he made on players and how many players spoke about Ethan being instrumental in getting them better,” Schaeffer said. “Even talking to [Astros righty] Peter Lambert this offseason -- he had him this year in Houston. He spoke very, very, very highly of Ethan and how much he helped him on the path to success this year. Ethan has a laundry list of guys that he's gotten better over the years.”
With Katz onboard, the plan is for the Rockies to retain last year’s bullpen coach Matt Buschmann and assistant pitching coach Gabe Ribas.