The Giants finalized Gabe Kapler's coaching staff on Tuesday, announcing that Antoan Richardson will be their first base coach and Nick Ortiz will serve as quality assurance coach.
The Richardson hire leaked before the holidays, but Ortiz is a new name and was first connected to the Giants on Monday by The Athletic. The 46-year-old has spent the previous four seasons with the Yankees, managing in rookie ball and the Gulf Coast League. Ortiz also was a scout for the Yankees at some point.
Ortiz played 15 minor league seasons as an infielder, suiting up for the Red Sox, Expos, Indians, Dodgers, Yankees, Royals and Cubs. He also played in the independent league for three seasons and spent a whopping 16 seasons playing in the Puerto Rican Winter League. Ortiz will join in a role the Giants did not previously have on staff. He fills a final requirement for Kapler, who said at the Winter Meetings that he would hire a native Spanish speaker for one of the two remaining positions.
Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Bay Area and California sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.
[RELATED: What you need to know about Giants' 18 non-roster invites]
The second one goes to Richardson, who was a minor league field coordinator for the Giants before the promotion. Richardson will also coach the big league club's outfielders and will instruct on baserunning.
Kapler will have 11 coaches on staff, with 10 of them being newcomers and the majority coming from the minor league ranks. Ron Wotus, the third base coach, is the lone holdover.