SF Giants’ Vitello Assembles Diverse Coaching Staff for 2025 Season

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The San Francisco Giants have unveiled a new coaching staff under the leadership of manager Tony Vitello, characterized by a diverse mix of ages, backgrounds, and philosophies. This 13-person team is united by a common thread: a strong desire to succeed. Vitello emphasized that many of his coaches are entering pivotal phases in their careers, stating, “I think there are a lot of guys in the group who have something to prove — whether it’s their first chance at something, maybe it’s a second chance, or maybe it’s their last chance at doing something.”

Several members of the staff are stepping into major league roles for the first time. Hunter Mense takes on his inaugural position as head hitting coach, while Justin Meccage steps up as head pitching coach. Additionally, coaching newcomers include Shane Robinson (first-base/outfield coach), Hector Borg (third-base coach), Frank Anderson (director of major league pitching), Jesse Chavez (bullpen coach), and Christian Wonders (assistant pitching coach). Alex Burg also assumes the role of field coordinator while continuing as catching coach.

Coaching Philosophy and Experience

Vitello noted that the motivation driving each coach stems from their personal journey. Meccage, for instance, previously spent seven seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates, where he was an assistant pitching coach before being released after the 2024 season. He later contributed to the Milwaukee Brewers’ Triple-A affiliate, where his pitchers achieved the best ERA in the National League during the 2025 season. Mense, a former player under Vitello at Missouri, served as an assistant hitting coach with the Toronto Blue Jays, a team that excelled offensively last season. Vitello expressed confidence in Mense’s ability to enhance the Giants’ offense, especially for players like Heliot Ramos and Jung Hoo Lee.

While Anderson, Borg, Chavez, Robinson, and Wonders lack major league coaching experience, they bring a wealth of knowledge. Chavez, 42, recently concluded an 18-year career in the majors, while Robinson, 41, played for nine seasons. Borg, 40, has been with the organization since 2008 and managed the Dominican Republic during the 2020 Olympics. Wonders, 33, combines his coaching with a specialization in biochemistry, having worked in the Padres and Rays organizations.

Among this group, Anderson stands out as a veteran with over four decades of collegiate coaching experience. At 66, he is the father of major leaguer Brett Anderson and has been instrumental in the success of the Tennessee Volunteers alongside Vitello.

Veteran Leadership and Team Dynamics

During his address to pitchers and catchers on the first day of camp, Vitello expressed his desire for the staff to embody the characteristics of a “Frank Anderson pitching staff,” which he defined as a focus on throwing strikes and maintaining competitiveness. Although Meccage will lead mound visits, Anderson will accompany the team and play a significant role in personnel decisions.

The coaching staff also benefits from the presence of Ron Washington, 73, who brings unparalleled experience. Washington, who recently underwent a quadruple bypass surgery, has returned to active coaching, focusing on infielders like shortstop Willy Adames and first baseman Bryce Eldridge. Vitello described Washington as essential, saying, “We needed somebody in the dugout that can be the seen-it-all, done-it-all dugout guy.”

Despite Washington’s extensive background as a third-base coach, Vitello clarified that the third-base responsibilities will go to Borg, who can learn from Washington’s insights. During the initial practice, Borg led a session of infield drills while Washington observed and provided feedback.

The Giants’ coaching staff, while featuring nine new faces, also maintains a degree of continuity, with four holdovers from the previous season: Burg, assistant hitting coach Oscar Bernard, quality control coach Taira Uematsu, and bullpen coach Eliezer Zambrano. Vitello believes that Chavez’s long-standing credibility in the game will ensure respect among the players.

As the team gears up for the 2025 season, the combination of fresh perspectives and seasoned veterans offers a promising outlook for the Giants. With a shared commitment to proving themselves, this coaching staff is poised to make a significant impact on the field.