Giants’ Hector Borg Ready to Bring Heat as New Third Base Coach
SCOTTSDALE - When the Giants finally unveiled Tony Vitello’s coaching staff just days before spring training, the timing might’ve been late, but the preparation was anything but rushed. Vitello, the club’s newly minted manager, wanted to be thorough - to turn over every stone before finalizing the group that would help shape his first season at the helm.
But when it came to naming his third base coach, there was no hesitation.
Back in November, Vitello and members of the Giants’ front office jumped on a Zoom call with Hector Borg, who at the time was coaching in the Dominican Republic. The call didn’t last long, but Borg’s energy, authenticity, and passion for player development came through loud and clear. According to general manager Zack Minasian, it took all of five seconds after the call for Vitello to make up his mind: “Can we hire that guy?”
It’s easy to see why.
Borg, 40, has spent years in the Giants' system and is known for his relentless work ethic and infectious enthusiasm. This spring, he’s been practically attached at the hip to Ron Washington - a pairing that makes a lot of sense. Both are cut from the same cloth: high-energy, detail-oriented, and deeply committed to the craft.
When Vitello was hired, he was handed a short list of internal candidates by Buster Posey and Minasian. For those who’ve been around the organization, it was no surprise that Borg quickly stood out.
In fact, there was a growing sense that if the Giants didn’t elevate him to the big-league staff soon, another team would. Vitello didn’t just bring him on board - he handed him one of the most visible, pressure-packed roles on the field.
Third base coach might not always be in the spotlight, but when the game’s on the line and a runner’s rounding second, every arm wave or stop sign becomes magnified. And after a season where San Francisco struggled in that department, all eyes will be on Borg.
He’s not shying away from it.
“I’m an aggressive third base coach,” Borg said with a grin this week. “I’ve always been that way.”
That mentality fits perfectly with Vitello’s vision. His Tennessee teams were known for their attacking style, and both he and Posey have made it clear: they want the Giants playing with an edge. If there's a bang-bang play at the plate on Opening Night, don’t be surprised if Borg is waving the runner home with everything he’s got.
Vitello put it plainly: “I think you'd rather err on the side of being aggressive and then pull back, as opposed to tiptoeing around and not knowing.” It’s a mindset shift - one that reflects a broader cultural change the Giants are chasing.
Borg is ready for it.
He’s not just leaning on instinct. He’s drawing from a deep well of experience.
Borg signed with the Giants out of the Dominican Republic as a teenager and spent time in the minors as a second baseman before transitioning to coaching in 2008. Since then, he’s done it all - from managing in the Dominican Winter League to coordinating the Giants’ complex league operations in Arizona.
He even led the Dominican Republic to a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics.
That’s 17 years of coaching experience in the Dominican alone, plus seven winters coaching third base in one of the most competitive offseason leagues in the world. Had he not gotten the call-up, he would’ve been working alongside Albert Pujols with the Dominican team at the World Baseball Classic this spring.
Instead, he’s here - finally getting his shot in the big leagues after two decades of grinding through the system.
Borg found out he got the job while still in the Dominican. He returned to the clubhouse one night and saw a missed call from Minasian. When he called back, he got the news he’d been waiting for.
“It’s one of the things about being in this position that’s so much fun,” Minasian said. “Calling someone and being able to offer that opportunity and hearing their reaction. I almost feel selfish that I get to enjoy it because there are so many people that vouched for him and believed in him.”
Now, Hector Borg steps into the spotlight - not just as a third base coach, but as a symbol of what the Giants are trying to build: a team that’s aggressive, fearless, and ready to take the extra base.