The next chapter in the Roberts baseball legacy is officially underway.
Cole Roberts - son of longtime Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts - is stepping into the coaching world. He’s been named the bench coach for the Lakeland Flying Tigers, the Single-A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers. It’s a fresh start in a different dugout, but baseball has always been in his blood.
From Prospect to Coach: Cole Roberts’ Journey
Cole’s path to this role wasn’t your typical straight line. Drafted by the San Diego Padres in 2019, he chose the college route instead, playing four years at Loyola Marymount University.
After going undrafted in 2023, the Arizona Diamondbacks gave him a shot as a free agent - and he made the most of it early. In his first pro season, Roberts posted an eye-popping 1.035 OPS over 19 games in the Arizona Complex League.
That kind of production turns heads, even in a small sample.
He climbed the ladder quickly, starting 2024 in Single-A and reaching High-A before the D-backs released him midseason. The Phillies picked him up ahead of 2025, and again, Roberts worked his way up - this time from Single-A to Double-A. But by July, he was released once more.
Now, at just 25 years old, Roberts is making the pivot from playing to coaching - a move that feels both early and inevitable. After all, his father has been one of the most respected managers in the game for years, and Cole grew up around the intricacies of the sport. He’s seen what it takes to lead a clubhouse, manage personalities, and make the tough calls from the top step.
What Exactly Does a Bench Coach Do?
In the big leagues and throughout the minors, the bench coach is the manager’s right-hand. They’re involved in everything - from helping make in-game decisions to managing matchups, strategy, and even player development. They’re often the voice in the manager’s ear, helping navigate the flow of a game and keeping the clubhouse connected.
When a manager gets ejected or suspended, it’s usually the bench coach who steps in. That’s how Dodgers bench coach Danny Lehmann found himself managing games last season after Dave Roberts was tossed during a tense series against the Padres.
It’s also a role that’s often a stepping stone. Many bench coaches go on to become managers themselves - or they’re former skippers bringing experience to a new generation.
A Full-Circle Moment for the Roberts Family
There’s a bit of symmetry here, too. While Cole is just starting his coaching career with the Tigers’ organization, it’s worth noting that Dave Roberts’ own professional journey began in the same system. Drafted by Detroit, Dave spent five seasons in their minor league pipeline before eventually carving out a successful MLB career.
Now, Cole will begin his own post-playing journey in the Tigers’ system - a fitting full-circle moment for the Roberts family.
A Strong Foundation in Lakeland
Cole joins a Lakeland Flying Tigers team that’s coming off a strong 2025 campaign. They topped the Florida State League West in both halves of the regular season, finishing with a 75-53 record - seven games ahead of Philadelphia’s Single-A affiliate in Clearwater.
That success isn’t a fluke. The Tigers’ farm system is one of the best in baseball, currently ranked sixth in MLB by ESPN. There’s talent up and down the ladder, and Lakeland has become a key proving ground for Detroit’s next wave of big-league contributors.
With a strong developmental infrastructure and a winning culture already in place, Cole Roberts steps into a great situation - one that could help shape his coaching career from the ground up.
What’s Next?
For now, Roberts will be focused on learning the ropes, building relationships, and helping guide young players through the grind of a long minor league season. But make no mistake - this is a name to watch. With his background, experience, and baseball IQ, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Cole Roberts climb the coaching ranks just like he did as a player.
And if history tells us anything, the Roberts name tends to stick around in this game.