Giants Hire Former Red Sox Assistant Pitching Coach Brian Bannister

The San Francisco Giants have retooled their entire franchise, from the front office to a new manager in Gabe Kapler. Now, there's another new addition to the organization.

Jon Morosi reports that San Francisco has hired former Boston Red Sox vice president of pitching development and assistant pitching coach Brian Bannister on Wednesday. Bannister will serve as the Giants' director of pitching.

Source: #SFGiants hire Brian Bannister, former #RedSox vice president of pitching development. @MLB @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) December 4, 2019

The move comes despite the Red Sox confirming in October that Bannister would return for next season, though he would be surrendering his role as an assistant pitching coach.

Bannister reportedly chose to join the Giants because he wants to spend more time with his family in California, including his wife and two young children.

Brian Bannister will join Giants as their Director of Pitching. He had been VP of pitching development for Red Sox. Giants definitely going in a new direction with staff. Hire was first reported by @jonmorosi
— Alex Pavlovic (@PavlovicNBCS) December 5, 2019

Bannister tweeted out a thank you to the Red Sox organization after news broke of his move to San Francisco.

I want to specifically thank Chaim Bloom and Brian O’Halloran - they are incredible leaders and the Red Sox will be in good hands for a very long time. Thank you to the coaches and support staff, it was a privilege winning a World Series with you in 2018 and all the best in 2020.
— Brian Bannister (@RealBanny) December 5, 2019

Bannister was a former MLB pitcher himself, having pitched in five seasons with the New York Mets and Kansas City Royals.

Once his career came to an end, Bannister joined the Red Sox as a pro scout, before being promoted to director of pitching analysis in 2015, and the aforementioned vice president gig one year later.

With the San Francisco Giants rebuilding, they hope the addition of Brian Bannister can provide a boost in the pitching department.