The Giants are going to hire Blue Jays assistant hitting coach Hunter Mense as their hitting coach, reports Mitch Bannon of The Athletic. Yesterday, Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic reported that the Giants were targeting Mense.
Mense, 41, played baseball at the University of Missouri at the same time as new Giants manager Tony Vitello. Mense was drafted by the Marlins and played in the minor league system for a while, then spent some time in indy ball. Once his playing days were done, he pivoted to coaching, working in the Blue Jays’ minor league system.
He was promoted to the major league staff ahead of the 2022 season. It’s always tough to give one coach credit for the performance of several players, but for what it’s worth, the Jays have performed well during his time as an assistant hitting coach. Over the past four years, the Jays have a .257/.326/.416 line and 109 wRC+, which puts them fourth-best in the majors.
Last week, Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins said there would be no “proactive subtractions” from the coaching staff. However, it seems Mense has been lured to San Francisco by his former college teammate offering him a promotion. The Giants have had Pat Burrell as their hitting coach for the past two years. It was reported last week that he would be staying with the Giants but in a different role.
The Giants have been hovering around .500 for the past four years. In 2025, they hit .235/.311/.386 for a wRC+ of 97. Perhaps a full season from Rafael Devers and/or a breakout from Bryce Eldridge will help them break through, but Mense will also try to do his part to help. The Jays will presumably look to add an assistant to replace Mense, whether that’s an internal promotion or external hire.
Photo courtesy of Nathan Ray Seebeck, Imagn Images
Here goes nothinā¦ š„ŗ
Hold on, is this just Hunter Pence in a fake mustache?
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I thought it was a misspelling. Who knew it was for real.
No kidding man! I even read it as Hunter and did a serious double take. Lol
Congrats to him on the promotion. Our hitting staff is about to be picked apart. Wonāt be surprised if Lou Ionnotti lands the top hitting coach job elsewhere as well.
Wasn’t Popkins though the sorta mastermind behind the Jays new hitting approach?? I bet he stays.
Who knows it was a team approach, not just one dude.
Rhymes with?
I was hoping the Giants would poach someone from the Brewers hitting coaches. I love their approach at the plate.
If Pat Burrell has an advisory role, I hope it won’t be advising the new hitting coach.
But I’ll admit to knowing nothing about coaches (possibly about Burrell as well). Certainly how a team hits isn’t entirely based on the coaching.
But Mense’s impact on the Blue Jays looks exactly like what the Giants need.
I’m saying that when it comes to coaches be careful of making a direct correlation.
Instead of going with the ālocals onlyā Bay Area ties philosophy, now itās hiring or signing anybody thatās a former Missouri Tiger.
Why is he so sad to get this job?
Not Vitelloās teammate at Mizzou, Vitello was a coach when Mense and Scherzer were players.
Great hire for the SF Giants. We have been ranking towards the bottom in Average (Rank #25– .235 Team AVG), OBP (Ranked # 20– .310), Hits (Ranked #26– 1261 Hits). Chapman, Adames, Devers, Lee, & Ramos should see some improvement to the philosophy Mense is preaching.
I think the Giants really need to improve the Starting Pitching because Webb & Ray seemed great at times (Ray started to falter towards the end of the season). Giants need 1-2 more pitchers. Roupp had an excellent campaign for his 1st season as a Starter – just needs to cut down the walks. Also need a closer, we cannot run Ryan Walker again – he just seemed like he could never get 3 outs. Hopefully we can pick up some minor league Relievers for camp and have them fight it out.
Walker shouldn’t even be a setup man, dude constantly loses confidence and never has his best stuff after his crazy good year. Sign Rogers back to be the closer for the next year and half until Rodriguez comes back, still need another pen arm though. Plus a starter or two
I want Rogers back too but not as the Closer. Maybe Devin Williams b/c Edwin Diaz will be too expensive.
Building the Tony Vitello Coaching Tree.
With the numbers the Jays put up hitting, Ok let’s do it !
I know the family well. The menses are a lively bunch, but you get tired of them after about a week
Hunter Mense eats mayo on salad
Lite mayo too
At least they know the Rockies will beat them to the bottom of the standings with ease. 4th place is better than last.
I think you’re in for a surpriseāand I don’t mean the Giants finishing 5th.
Too many people learning on the job for it to go well.
Who are the “too many” people learning on the job? Posey has a year of experience, and did well in that first year. He’s also supported by experienced people in the FO. That leaves Vitello as the “too many” people, I guess.
I feel the need to apologise Giants fans. Exposing Pads Fanās childish multi account narcissism seems to have set him on a troll the Giants revenge spree. My bad.
Nah. Trolls are going to troll no matter what.
Ha ha. Pads fan is on a troll the Giants tear !
I feel like he is taking his revenge on me out on you. My bad.
Has somebody been partaking??
All the Madre fans are getting testy.
Their owners are selling, and discarding them. They will have abandonment issues that may require counseling.
Tatis Jr. as trade candidate, who wants him? Mariners please.
As A Jay’s fan I don’t like this.
This Hunter Penceās Dƶppleganger?