The Giants recently hired Bruce Bochy as a special advisor to baseball operations, giving new manager Tony Vitello an additional voice as he prepares for his unprecedented leap from collegiate head coach to major-league manager. Now, Vitello will have another experienced voice in the dugout itself.
General manager Zack Minasian confirmed a report by USA Today on KNBR 680 that the Giants are finalizing a deal with Ron Washington to join Vitello’s coaching staff as a major league infield coach.
“I give Tony a lot of credit. He talks a lot about being a team and filling blind spots as well as possible,” Minasian said on The Murph & Markus Show. “I think he recognizes his experience level in the professional ranks. He originally brought up Wash and would say, ‘What do you think about bringing Wash in with his experience?’”
Washington, 73, has more than 50 years of experience in pro ball dating back to when he signed with the Kansas City Royals in 1970.
Along with two managerial stints with the Texas Rangers (2007-14) and Los Angeles Angels (2024-25), Washington also served as a coach with the Oakland A’s on two occasions (1996-2006, 2015-16) as well as the Atlanta Braves (2017-23). Washington also played 564 games in the majors over 10 seasons.
In Anaheim, Washington worked under Minasian’s older brother, Perry, who is the team’s general manager. Washington, of course, was the manager of the Rangers when they lost to Bochy and the Giants in the 2010 World Series.
“My brothers and my father have experience with Wash dating back to Texas,” Minasian said. “Obviously, Perry hired him to manage with the Angels. Not only them, but really anyone Wash comes in contact with just thinks the world of him. The energy level, the expertise, the experience just seemed like a no-brainer as Tony continued to have conversations with Wash.”
Washington won’t be the only former manager in Vitello’s corner.
Jayce Tingler, who spent two years managing the San Diego Padres, will also be on Vitello’s staff, though his role has yet to officially be determined. Along with Bochy, Dusty Baker is a special advisor to baseball operations.
Minasian said the Giants’ entire coaching staff in Orlando for the backend of the Winter Meetings and “be able to sit and talk in-person.” The Giants have yet to officially announce their new coaching staff, and Minasian added it’s an “option” that Washington could be the team’s third-base coach.
Washington served as an infield coach during his time in Oakland, helping transform infielders Eric Chavez and Marcus Semien into elite defenders at their respective positions. Now, Washington will have two new assignments: Rafael Devers and Bryce Eldridge.
Devers and Eldridge are both learning the intricacies of first base. The former hadn’t played the position in any professional capacity until July, while the latter began playing first base in 2024 after being a pitcher and designated hitter at James Madison High School.
It’s currently unclear whether Devers or Eldridge will receive the majority of playing time at first base in 2026. Eldridge, in particular, is not a guarantee for the Opening Day roster after playing just 10 games with the Giants at the tail end of their season. Regardless, Devers and Eldridge will both spend their share of time with Washington and Ron Wotus in spring training and beyond.