San Francisco Giants offensive coordinator James Loust plans to contact as many players as possible before the anticipated December 2 lockout, according to reporting from The Athletic.
The outreach initiative arrives as the organization seeks to improve offensive production for the 2027 season.
Coaching staff adjustments in San Francisco
The Giants recently appointed James Loust as offensive coordinator following the departure of former hitting coach Hunter Mense, who joined the Kansas City Royals.
Loust, who spent the previous three years as a hitting coach for the New York Yankees, will work alongside coach Oscar Bernard and an additional hitting coach the team intends to hire, as reported by The Athletic. The move is designed to support manager Tony Vitello as he manages the club’s offensive strategy.
The coordinator’s philosophy on scoring
Loust said that his role extends beyond individual hitting advice to include the orchestration of the team’s total offensive approach. Drawing a comparison to the NFL, Loust explained to The Athletic that the objective is to prioritize team scoring.
“In the NFL, they have running back coaches, wide receiver coaches, and individual position coaches, but there is an offensive coordinator who is thinking about how we can go out there and score the most points as a club,” Loust said. “I think baseball can learn from that.”
Manager Tony Vitello expressed confidence in the new structure. “He knows how to handle big-name stars, he’s been in a big market for a long time, and beyond his track record of getting great feedback from hitters, what stood out in our conversations was how well everyone syncs up,” Vitello said.
Contacting the roster
Loust is expected to coordinate with the hitting staff to prepare for the 2027 campaign. His immediate priority is to establish communication with the players while the roster remains intact before the expected December 2 lockout.
Regarding the talent currently on the team, Loust told The Athletic, “This roster is really interesting. There are great players, guys who understand the game well, young talent, speed, power, and hitting ability. There is a lot to be excited about from an offensive perspective.”
Implications for 2027
Lee Jung-hoo, who is currently resting in South Korea, remains a focal point for the staff’s outreach efforts.
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