Matt Wise leaves Angels to become White Sox bullpen coach

Matt Wise, who had been the Angels pitching coach for three seasons, has reportedly accepted a job to become the Chicago White Sox bullpen coach, although neither the Angels nor White Sox have made any announcements.

The Angels are currently searching for a new manager after they declined the option on Phil Nevin’s contract, so the coaches typically have to wait until a new manager is hired before they learn the status of their jobs.

Wise spent his entire 12-year coaching career working in various capacities in the Angels system, mostly in the minor leagues. He was the major league bullpen coach in 2020 and he was abruptly promoted to pitching coach just before the 2021 season, after Mickey Callaway was suspended and eventually fired.

In three seasons as Angels pitching coach, the staff had mixed results. The Angels ranked 22nd in the majors in ERA in 2021, then they improved to ninth last season, before dropping back to 23rd in 2023.

Three of the biggest success stories under Wise were left-handers Patrick Sandoval, Reid Detmers and José Suarez, each of whom made significant improvements in 2021 and 2022. All three took steps back this year, though.

Pitchers consistently supported Wise, though.

“He’s been awesome,” Detmers said in August. “I couldn’t have asked for anyone better.”

With the White Sox, Wise would be reunited with pitching coach Ethan Katz, who began his professional career working the Angels farm system with Wise.