University of Michigan Athletics

Chris Fetter completed his third season as the pitching coach for the University of Michigan baseball program in 2020. The former Wolverine was hired by Head coach Erik Bakich on July 24, 2017 and has propelled U-M to premier status on the national landscape for his ability to evaluate and develop pitching talent. Michigan has seen a trio of pitchers drafted in the first three rounds of the last two MLB drafts (2019,2020). 

Fetter, who served the Los Angeles Dodgers as the minor league pitching coordinator prior to his Michigan appointment, brings a wealth of both collegiate and professional experience to the Maize and Blue.

"We could not be more excited to welcome Chris Fetter and his amazing wife Jessica back to the Michigan Baseball family," said Bakich. "Our goal in this search was to find the very best developer of talent -- a true pitching technician, who can help all of our pitchers reach their maximum potential. The Dodgers are on the cutting edge of player development, and Chris brings extensive experience coaching, scouting and coordinating in professional baseball."

In a season that was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Wolverines finished 8-7. With few postseason honors bestowed, the season's individual success could be seen in Major League Baseball's shortened First Year Player Draft, including Michigan's highest pick since David Parrish (28th overall, Yankees) in 2000, starting pitcher Jeff Criswell. The right-handed starter was selected 58th (2nd round) by the Oakland Athletics and under Fetter's mentorship, finished his career with 174 strikeouts in 162.1 innings, while compiling 10 wins and three saves. Joining Criswell in the professional ranks was lefty relief pitcher Benjamin Keizer, who signed a non-drafted free agent deal with the New York Yankees. 2020 also saw two underclass arms emerge as future stars as Steven Hajjar (3-0, 2.70 ERA, 24 K, 20 IP) and Blake Beers (2-2, 3.13 ERA, 21 K, 23 IP) turned heads with their early performances this spring.

Michigan’s pitching was outstanding during the 2019 campaign, which included a national runner-up finish, the program’s eighth trip to the College World Series, and 50 total wins. Led by junior starters Tommy Henry and Karl Kauffmann as well as sophomore starter Jeff Criswell (All-Big Ten First Team), the Michigan pitching staff finished 10th in the country and led the Big Ten Conference with a 3.46 earned run average, while finishing seventh in the nation with just 7.44 hits allowed per game. In the midst of a historic postseason run, Michigan had three top juniors pitchers selected in the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft, including Henry (2nd round, Diamondbacks), Kauffmann (2nd round, Rockies), and reliever Jack Weisenburger (20th round, Athletics).

The former Wolverine wrapped up his first season with the Maize and Blue in 2018. Guided by the pitching staff, Michigan finished second in the Big Ten with a 15-8 conference record and advanced to the Big Ten Conference Baseball Tournament for the sixth-straight season. Michigan posted a 3.46 earned run average during the 2018 campaign, which ranked 23rd-best in the nation and third-lowest in the Big Ten Conference. The Wolverines also finished atop the conference with just 7.64 hits allowed per game, which ranked 12th in the country. Under Fetter's guidance, Michigan saw all three of its weekend starting pitchers named to All-Conference teams, including Henry (second team), Kauffmann (third team), and Ben Dragani (third and freshman team). At the close of the 2018 campaign, four Wolverine pitchers inked deals with Major League Baseball teams, including William Tribucher (Colorado Rockies, 14th round), Jayce Vancena (Detroit Tigers, 31st round), Alec Rennard (Pittsburgh Pirates, free agent), and Troy Miller (Toronto Blue Jays, free agent). 

Fetter joined the Dodgers in the fall of 2016 after serving as the pitching coach at Ball State University for one season. During that time, he guided the Cardinals to a 4.31 team earned run average, which ranked second in the Mid-American Conference.

A four-year letterwinner at Michigan, Fetter became an All-American for the Wolverines and was a three-time All-Big Ten selection while guiding the Maize and Blue to three Big Ten championships and four NCAA appearances. He ranks first in Michigan history with 332.1 career innings pitched, third with 28 career wins, and third with 281 career strikeouts.

"My wife, Jessica, and I couldn't be more excited to return home to Michigan," said Fetter. "This university holds a special place in my heart, and to be able to come back and join Coach Bakich's staff is a dream come true. The culture Erik has created and his vision for the future is beyond impressive, and I look forward to rejoining the Michigan baseball family and leading the pitching staff for years to come."

Fetter graduated from Michigan in 2009 and was drafted by the San Diego Padres the following June in the ninth round of the Major League Baseball Draft. He spent four years with the Padres as a pitcher in the minor leagues before turning to the coaching ranks and serving on the 2013 San Antonio Missions (Double-A) staff.

Prior to joining the collegiate ranks at Ball State, Fetter worked for the Los Angeles Angels as a minor league scout for three seasons.

He and his wife Jessica reside in Ann Arbor with their son, Cole.