MLB insider views former big league backstop as strong candidate for SF Giants managerial opening

Not much is known about the SF Giants candidate pool, but they do appear to be targeting former pro catchers. According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, Nick Hundley is "strongly in the mix" for the Giants' managerial opening.

MLB insider views former big league backstop as strong candidate for SF Giants managerial opening

As soon as the Giants dismissed Bob Melvin last week, a league source immediately told Around the Foghorn that Hundley would receive strong consideration for this role. There has not been much to dispel that belief, and Heyman's report adds traction to the idea.

Of course, Robert Murray of FanSided also views Hundley as a good fit for the Giants' opening. Prior connections usually open the door to a conversation for any job in baseball.

Hundley has ties to the Giants organization. He played for the club for two seasons while serving as Buster Posey's backup and taking home the 2017 Willie Mac Award. Hundley was recently in San Francisco as part of this year's Willie Mac Award ceremony for Willy Adames.

It is not uncommon for former recipients to return for the annual celebration. However, Hundley's presence was especially notable given that Bob Melvin's hold on the managerial role was tenuous in the final weekend of the year. That proved to be more than just a feeling, as the Giants parted ways with the veteran skipper as soon as the season concluded.

Posey did not reveal many details about his search in his end-of-the-year press conference last weekend. However, it has been established that the Giants are looking at a lot of former catchers, with the belief that catchers tend to make good managers.

You can cross one former catcher off the list. Bruce Bochy will not be part of the mix. Posey quickly confirmed that Bochy was not viewed as a candidate.

Since then, Nick Hundley, Craig Albernaz, and Curt Casali have been speculated as candidates. Murray reported that another catcher, Kurt Suzuki, was in San Francisco on Friday to interview for the opening.

It is hard to ignore that all four of these names have limited or no coaching experience. Hundley has served as a special advisor to Texas Rangers general manager Chris Young for the past three seasons. Casali and Suzuki are also working in the front office for the Cincinnati Reds and Los Angeles Angels, respectively.

Albernaz has a bit of coaching experience. This includes a stint with the Giants as a bullpen and catching coach. Over the past two seasons, he has worked with the Cleveland Guardians as a bench coach and associate manager.

More from Around the Foghorn: