Giants Finalize Coaching Roster, Name Nevin, Alguacil New Base Coaches
The San Francisco Giants, who recently opened up their first and third base coaching gigs weeks ago, have filled the positions with former Sacramento River Cats manager Jose Alguacil and former San Diego Padres third baseman Phil Nevin.
The Giants had issues on the basepaths last season. After being ninth in the league in Ultimate Base Running (UBR - an advanced statistic used by Fangraphs) from 2010-2014, the Giants have stumbled down to 21st in the league in 2016.
Shortly after the Giants season ended in October, the front office decided to let go of third base coach (and former first base coach during the team's World Series runs) Roberto Kelly and first base coach Billy Hayes.
New first base coach Alguacil, 44, spent the last season as the River Cats manager, leading them to a 69-75 record. Before 2016, he spent one season as the Giants double-A manager for the Richmond Flying Squirrels in 2015 (they finished 72-68).
With the Alguacil promotion, the River Cats will have their fourth manager in as many seasons next year.
Nevin, 45, has had a different career path. The former third baseman was drafted by the Houston Astros in the 1992 amateur draft, first overall. He spent 12 seasons in the big leagues, playing for the Astros, Detroit Tigers, Anaheim Angels, Padres, Texas Rangers, Chicago Cubs and the Minnesota Twins.
Over the past three seasons, Nevin has managed the Arizona Diamondbacks triple-A affiliate, the Reno Aces.
Nevin has a history with Giants manager Bruce Bochy, spending 1999-2005 as a player under the management of Bochy when he led the Padres.
With the new hirings, the Giants have now filled out the final spots on the coaching staff, joining Bochy, pitching coach Dave Righetti, bench coach Ron Wotus, hitting coach Hensley Meulens, bullpen coach Mark Gardner and assistant hitting coach Steve Decker.
