D-backs name Matt Williams and Garvin Alston to coaching staff

Hitting coach Turner Ward will not return for the 2016 season

November 12, 2015

The Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) named Matt Williams as third base coach and Garvin Alston as bullpen coach, as announced by D-backs Sr. Vice President & General Manager Dave Stewart and Manager Chip Hale.

Williams, 49, returns to the D-backs after spending the previous 2 seasons (2014-15) as manager of the Washington Nationals, posting a 179-145 (.552) record. He was named the 2014 BBWAA and The Sporting News National League Manager of the Year after leading the Nationals to 96 wins and the NL East title in his inaugural campaign at the helm.

"Matt Williams has been a baseball lifer and brings with him knowledge, intensity and a passion for the game," said Stewart. "Those attributes are key for the makeup of our coaching staff and team. He has the reputation of being a teacher and hard worker, and we are happy to have him back with the organization."

Williams spent the previous 4 seasons (2010-13) on Arizona's Major League coaching staff, including the final 3 as the club's third base coach (2011-13). The 17-year Major League veteran played 6 seasons with the D-backs (1998-2003), including being a member of the 2001 World Series championship team, was named to 5 NL All-Star Teams, won 4 Rawlings Gold Glove Awards^®and captured 4 NL Silver Slugger honors.

Alston, 43, joins Arizona after 11 seasons (2005-15) in the Oakland A's organization in various roles, including as their Minor League pitching coordinator last season. He also served as pitching coach with Single-A Kane County (2005-06) and Single-A Stockton (2007-08), as well as the A's Minor League pitching rehab coordinator (2009-14).

"Garvin is a quality teacher who brings great knowledge and energy to our staff," said Stewart. "Preparing for this opportunity, Garvin has been a pitching coordinator, as well as a relief pitcher at the highest level. His organizational skills from being a coordinator will also help him in identifying potential flaws in pitchers' mechanics prior to entering competition. Garvin is a great addition to our staff."

Alston, who resides in Ahwatukee, Ariz., played 8 Minor League seasons in the Colorado Rockies (1992-98), Los Angeles Dodgers (1999-2000) and Kansas City Royals (2000) organizations. Originally a 10th-round selection by the Rockies in the 1992 draft, Alston appeared in 6 games with Colorado in 1996. His son, Garvin Jr., was on the D-backs Elite Scout Team from 2013-15, and is a pitcher at Arizona State University.

Ward, 50, spent the last 3 seasons on the D-backs' staff as the assistant hitting coach (2013) and hitting coach (2014-15).