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Former SF Giants coaching notes: José Alguacil's infield, Ethan Katz on the move

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ByJeff Young
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Aug 11, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Kansas City Royals infield coach Jose Alguacil (68) looks on prior to the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Aug 11, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Kansas City Royals infield coach Jose Alguacil (68) looks on prior to the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The SF Giants were shut out of the Gold Glove voting in 2026. The same cannot be said for the Kansas City Royals, led by infield coach José Alguacil.

Former SF Giants coaching notes: José Alguacil's infield, Ethan Katz on the move

1. José Alguacil's golden infield

Alguacil spent years in the Giants' farm system, serving as a coordinator and manager. His early work involved helping Pablo Sandoval improve his infield defense.

The Giants were so impressed with Alguacil's work that he was elavated to the major league staff after the 2016 season. He served as a first base coach for Bruce Bochy for three seasons. In the transition from Bochy to Gabe Kapler after the 2019 season, Alguacil was free to pursue other opportunities. That is not uncommon with managerial changes.

Alguacil latched on with the Kansas City Royals as an infield coach, and he has worked in that role for the past four seasons. This includes a strong 2026 campaign, in which every Royals infielder was named a finalist in the Gold Glove voting. The results will be revealed on November 1, 2026.

Bobby Witt Jr. at shortstop headlined this group, but a strong defensive infield is often a good reflection of the infield coach. This may even make Alguacil a candidate for a promotion if an opportunity arises. Promotions usually take place when coaches change organizations. That said, teams can retain valued coaches by expanding their responsibilities or giving them an associate manager title.

2. Ethan Katz is now a free agent

Former Giants assistant pitching coach Ethan Katz is now a free agent after spending this past season in that role with the Houston Astros. In a bit of a surprise, the Astros cleaned house after parting ways with Joe Espada. Espada's contract was up, and the Astros decided not to renew it.

Houston will look a bit different next season. Not only are they now searching for a new manager, but they have a general manager vacancy as well. Espada is already receiving interest from the Seattle Mariners.

As is often the case with coaching changes, several coaches on Espada's staff were let go. This includes Katz. Jim Duquette of The MLB Network shares that the Astros recently denied Katz an opportunity to interview for a promotion with another team. Presumably, that offer is still available, as it is still very early in the offseason.

Katz originally joined the Giants as a minor league pitching coordinator in 2019. He was elavated to assistant pitching coach before the 2020 season. He only spent one season on the Giants' coaching staff before becoming the Chicago White Sox's pitching coach. He held that role for five years.

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