San Francisco Giants: Analyzing the final three managerial candidates

San Francisco Giants (Photo by Jeff Chiu - Pool/Getty Images)
San Francisco Giants (Photo by Jeff Chiu - Pool/Getty Images) /
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3. Pedro Grifol

Pedro Grifol is the most unproven and low-profile name of the three final candidates, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t qualified or a good fit for the job.

Grifol has been a part of the Royals organization since 2014 serving in a variety of roles with the team including his current ones as quality control coach and catching coach. That quality control position has been sweeping through MLB coaching staffs and is held in high regard by many.

The aforementioned Kotsay, a former favorite for the open position, also holds that same position over in Oakland.

Consider the role a do-it-all, jack-of-all-trades position where the individual has their hands in the day-to-day coaching, player development, and could even dabble in some front office decision making from time to time.

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But perhaps more intriguing from Grifol is his catching coach background. This could prove invaluable for the Giants who will see top prospect Joey Bart make his big-league debut very soon and Grifol could be someone to help develop him.

On top of that, he’s also a former minor-league catcher who played in both the Minnesota Twins and New York Mets systems so he has experience playing the position.

Moreover, Grifol worked in the Seattle Mariners organization prior to joining the Royals and even coached a full season of High-A ball back in 2012 before taking over as the club’s director of minor league operations.

His biggest selling points for the job likely come with his catching background and experience in the field of player development — something that should prove important with a heap of young prospects set to hit the major league level.

While not a known commodity, Grifol might just impress enough to earn the job.