Giants hitting coach Hunter Mense is leaving San Francisco after one season to join the Kansas City Royals' coaching staff, leaving a vacancy on manager Tony Vitello's staff this offseason.
Why it matters: Mense's exit leaves assistant Oscar Bernard as the Giants' lone hitting coach for now, and the club is already discussing how to fill the job, MLB.com reported.
One year in San Francisco
Mense, 42, spent four seasons as an assistant hitting coach for the Toronto Blue Jays before the Giants hired him last offseason. The Giants hit .245/.306/.400 in 2026 with a 97 wRC+, a measure of offense where 100 is league average.
He played at the University of Missouri, where Vitello coached him from 2004 to 2006. He is from Liberty, Mo., and the move will put him closer to family.
In Kansas City, Mense and Marcus Thames will be the hitting coaches, with Connor Dawson as offensive coordinator, MLB Trade Rumors reported, citing MLB.com's Mark Feinsand.
Other staff changes
Assistant pitching coach Christian Wonders is expected to become director of pitching with more of a minor league role, and Frank Anderson will move from director of pitching to assistant pitching coach. Pitching coach Justin Meccage and bullpen coach Jesse Chavez are expected to stay.