Fansided

Sources: Giants hiring Jacob Cruz as assistant hitting coordinator

By Robert Murray

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 19: Manager Gabe Kapler #19 of the San Francisco Giants looks on during the game against the Atlanta Braves at Oracle Park on September 19, 2021 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 19: Manager Gabe Kapler #19 of the San Francisco Giants looks on during the game against the Atlanta Braves at Oracle Park on September 19, 2021 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /
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The San Francisco Giants are adding a former first-round draft pick to Gabe Kapler’s coaching staff.

Jacob Cruz is joining the San Francisco Giants as assistant hitting coordinator, according to sources familiar with the situation.

Cruz, 48, was drafted by the Giants in the first round of the 1994 MLB Draft and spent two seasons with the team in the majors in 1996-1997. He played nine seasons in baseball, hitting .241/.331/.377 with 19 home runs and 105 RBI. He transitioned to coaching in 2010, where he has spent time coaching in the minor leagues with the Arizona Diamondbacks (2010-2016) and Chicago Cubs (2017-2018) before joining the Pittsburgh Pirates (2019) and Milwaukee Brewers (2020-2021) as assistant hitting coaches.

Cruz becomes the second former Brewers coach to head to San Francisco, with Ed Lucas joining the Giants as assistant hitting coordinator in Nov. 2020. The Giants recently lost Michael Brdar, their previous hitting coordinator, when he left to join the San Diego Padres as major-league hitting coach.

Cruz and hitting coach Andy Haines were dismissed by the Brewers following an inconsistent season that featured disappointing years for Christian Yelich and Keston Hiura, among others. But under their eye, Luis Urias broke out and hit 23 homers. Willy Adames emerged as their best player following a midseason trade from the Tampa Bay Rays. Kolten Wong had arguably the best offensive season of his career. Omar Narvaez, meanwhile, was an All-Star after a down 2020 season.