If the Giants want their next manager to come from in-house, a frontrunner appears to be emerging.
According to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle, the Giants interviewed third base coach Mark Hallberg for the manager position.
Hallberg, 37, has worked in the Giants organization since 2018. He rose on the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes coaching staff to manager in one year, then joined the big-league club in 2020.
During his press conference at the end of the season, president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi said the Giants would likely consider “one or two” internal candidates. In 2022, he took over for Ron Wotus as San Francisco’s third-base coach.
Hallberg’s unique perspective and communication skills have made him an indispensable member of the coaching staff in recent years.
Hallberg grew up in Saudi Arabia and also lived in Pakistan before moving to the states for high school. During is junior and senior years at Barron High School (WI), he didn’t strike out a single time. He continued to succeed in college, first at University of Illinois Chicago and then at Florida State, where he was roommates with Buster Posey.
After five minor league seasons, Hallberg got into coaching and instruction. He coached at the high school and Class-A levels and also taught at the American School of Dubai.
The Giants interviewed Hallberg this week, per Slusser. He likely wasn’t the only one.
Kai Correa served as interim manager for the last three games of the season once Gabe Kapler was dismissed. Craig Albernaz, the bullpen and catching coach, is reportedly interviewing for the Guardians’ managerial job. Andrew Bailey has earned respect as the club’s pitching coach and could be even more valuable than ever to the Giants as Brian Bannister is gone. Wotus, currently a special advisor, is as experienced as any candidate who hasn’t already managed can be. Zaidi mentioned Pat Burrell by name (in passing), and the former Giant has experience in player development; The Athletic floated him as a darkhorse option.
If the Giants only interview a couple people from within the organization, some will get left out.
San Francisco also may prefer to make an outside hire, distancing itself from the previous coaching staff led by Kapler. Zaidi has said he wants to commit to major changes, and that may include philosophical differences.
“I’ve worked with seven managers in my time in baseball, and they all had different styles,” Zaidi said. “I think five of them won Manager of the Year. My role’s been different in those different organizations, but my relationships have been different with them too. At least from my experience, one thing I’ve learned is there are no absolutes.”
Outside candidates to watch could include Donnie Ecker, Stephen Vogt and Mark DeRosa.