Zack Minasian has been promoted to GM of the Giants under new boss Buster Posey – NBC Sports Bay Area & California

SAN FRANCISCO – The Giants' new general manager grew up in MLB clubhouses and became the youngest scouting director in baseball at age 27, becoming vice president of pro scouting.

If Zack Minasian had worked for one of the other 29 teams, this resume would have put him at the top of the list when the Giants began their search for a new GM earlier this month. While it's a bit of a surprise that they stayed with the company, Buster Posey ultimately concluded that there was already someone in the front office who checked all the boxes.

The Giants promoted Minasian to general manager over Posey on Friday. He replaces Pete Putila, who was Farhan Zaidi's second GM and was reassigned.

“We are pleased to have Zack take on this new role,” Posey said in the press release. “Zack has brought a wealth of knowledge and experience to the organization in his six years here. He is also a thorough talent evaluator, but more than that, he is a great person that our community will be proud of. We believe he will immediately improve us as a team and organization in this new role and I look forward to working with him.”

Minasian is the 11th general manager in San Francisco Giants history and will be Posey's No. 2 in a front office that will have a new look but will be filled with holdovers. When Posey took over as head of baseball operations after another disappointing season, he had a clear idea of ​​what he wanted in a partner.

“I think someone with a scouting background will be important to me,” he said after his press conference. “I think someone you can relate to, someone who can empower not only the players or agents that they come into contact with, but also the guys or girls on our coaching staff, our medical staff, our Strength team can identify. Because everyone.” “These people are so important to us in achieving our ultimate goal.”

Minasian has a head start because he has worked with all of these people before. Zaidi hired him away from the Brewers shortly after he took over in 2018, and Minasian was later promoted to vice president.

The previous regime had its flaws, but under Zaidi the Giants were very good at finding value in other rosters and they generally won their trades. Minasian led the pro scouting department at a time when the Giants were facing Kevin Gausman, Mike Yastrzemski, LaMonte Wade Jr. and others who simply needed a fresh start. He has also been instrumental in the organization's efforts abroad, making several trips to Asia in recent years to explore Jung Hoo Lee, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Roki Sasaki and others.

As GM, Minasian is considered the go-to guy in most conversations with agents and other front offices. It's something he already has experience in, and he'll have an especially easy time getting a rival manager on the phone. His brother Perry is GM of the Los Angeles Angels.

The Minasians grew up playing the game because their father, Zack Sr., was the longtime clubhouse manager for the Texas Rangers. A third brother, Calvin, works for the Atlanta Braves.

“I am extremely grateful to Buster and the Giants organization for this incredible opportunity to lead our baseball department in this new role,” Minasian said in the press release. “There is so much to appreciate about this organization – an existing core of talent on both the major league roster and throughout the minor league system, a passionate fan base, an incredible alumni group and the organization's commitment to the community. “I look forward to working with Buster, Bob Melvin and the coaching staff, as well as our entire baseball department, to begin the work of bringing a World Series championship back to San Francisco.”

The Giants have made three changes so far, moving inside all three times. Posey moved from executive board to chairman of the president and JP Martinez was promoted when pitching coach Bryan Price resigned. They'll also need a new hitting coach soon, as Justin Many is heading to the Texas Rangers.

To continue to meet the need, Posey will work closely with Minasian, a man he met during his playing days, and Jeremy Shelley, the assistant GM who was part of the organization long before Posey was drafted.

There won't be a major overhaul for the Giants this offseason, at least behind the scenes. It's Posey's vision now and he'll make the big decisions, but so far he's made it clear he believes the Giants are already on the right track when it comes to personnel.

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