Giants Restructure Under Buster Posey

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — As the Giants kick off their season on Wednesday, it’s noteworthy that only three players on the roster were drafted and developed during coach Farhan Zaidi’s tenure of five years.

Essentially, the pipeline for player development stagnated under the previous management.

Fast forward less than two years, and Buster Posey has stepped in with hopes of revitalizing that pipeline. The former catcher has shifted the organization’s focus from the analytics-heavy approach of his playing days.

“It’s certainly a different vibe. Right now, we’re concentrating on aspects that seemed to slip away in recent seasons,” commented Idwin Villegas, who manages the Giants’ Single-A affiliate in San Jose, speaking to the California Post. He was part of the Giants’ farm system while Posey played and has been coaching in the organization since moving on from the Spike. This season marks his third year leading the Single-A team.

Villegas’ squad, he believes, best embodies “Buster Posey’s vision of how we should play” in 2025, according to Randy Wynn, the club’s chief minor league executive.

The new leadership’s messaging is straightforward: advance base runners, bring them home, throw strikes, and play sound defense. In simpler terms, it’s all about mastering the basics.

“It was enjoyable because that’s what we focused on when I was in the minors,” Villegas reflected. “When you start teaching the fundamentals early on, players understand what to do as they progress, which makes it easier when they finally hit the majors.”

This contrasts sharply with Zaidi’s philosophy, who came on board in 2019 but was let go after the 2024 season. At the major league level, he emphasized waiting for pitch opportunities that could yield significant rewards, even at the risk of a strikeout or walk.

This mindset filtered down to the minors, often overlooking fundamental skills.

“In the last few years, it was all about making hard contact and seeking power,” Villegas explained. “Now, it’s really about advancing base runners, reaching base, and scoring.”

Wynn, who played alongside Posey, was among the first to join the newly structured front office after Posey’s arrival. He took on the role of vice president of player development while farm director Kyle Haynes kept his position.

“What I take pride in most is situational hitting, pitching strikes, and aggressive base running. I’ve witnessed the young players excel in these areas. The pinnacle of this success is our San Jose team,” said Wynn regarding his first year.

This has translated into success on the field, with San Jose clinching the California League championship for the second time since 2010. Moreover, many promising prospects, including Posey’s top two draft picks, infielder Gavin Killen and outfielder Trevor Cohen, advanced quickly through the system.

“They gained valuable experience and a taste of what we want to achieve,” Wynn added. “They executed well on the bases, and the pitchers were consistent with their strikes. It’s been thrilling to see young players commit to our goals and win in the process.”

The next step is to translate this success to the major league level.

Looking ahead, it’s expected that the Giants will be competitive this year, primarily due to new free agent and trade acquisitions. Notably, catcher Patrick Bailey, No. 5 starter Landen Loop, and utility infielder Casey Schmidt are the remnants from the Zaidi era.

Posey understands the vital role of a homegrown core in building a consistent World Series competitor. Five former players—Posey, Pablo Sandoval, Brandon Crawford, Brandon Belt, and Joe Panik—are set to have their plaques added to the Giants Wall of Fame outside Oracle Park during an upcoming ceremony.

These five homegrown players were essential in securing three World Series titles, and all are part of the team’s culture as they pass through the clubhouse.