Giants Promote Taira Uematsu to First-Base Coach
San Francisco names the first Japan-born first-base coach in MLB history, replacing Shane Robinson, who stays in the organization.
Updated on Nov. 11, 2026 in Baseball
The San Francisco Giants promoted Taira Uematsu to first-base coach, replacing Shane Robinson. Buster Posey announced the internal move at MLB's general managers meetings in Las Vegas.
Why it matters
The move elevates a longtime organizational staffer to the major-league coaching staff and will make him the first Japan-born first-base coach in MLB history. It also reflects a shake-up of the Giants' coaching group after a season in which the team ranked 22nd in MLB with 88 stolen bases.
The announcement is an official team staffing decision, with the Giants ranking 22nd in MLB with 88 stolen bases last season. The source does not say whether baserunning performance factored into the change, and a new hitting coach has not yet been named.
The players
Taira Uematsu
A longtime Giants staffer who began as a minor-league bullpen catcher in 2006 and is now set to become the team's first-base coach.
Buster Posey
Former Giants catcher who now serves in a front-office role and announced the internal promotion.
Shane Robinson
Former Giants first-base coach who will remain in the organization as a minor-league roving outfield coordinator.
The details
Uematsu began his Giants career as a minor-league bullpen catcher in 2006 and is originally from Chiba prefecture, Japan. He served as interim first-base coach for a week last season while Robinson dealt with family matters and was promoted to the major-league staff by Gabe Kapler, with Gabe Kapler's role in the decision as described in the source. Robinson will remain with the organization as a minor-league roving outfield coordinator.
Timeline
Last season (2025): Uematsu held the quality control coach title under Tony Vitello.
Past season (2025): Uematsu served as interim first-base coach while Robinson was away.
November 10, 2026: Buster Posey announced the promotion at MLB's general managers meetings in Las Vegas.
2027 season: Uematsu takes over as first-base coach.
Season Trajectory
The staffing changes follow a 2025 season in which the Giants ranked 22nd in MLB with 88 stolen bases, and the team is still searching for a new hitting coach, the third hitting coach in as many seasons. The moves reshape the coaching staff heading into the 2027 season, with Justin Meccage remaining head pitching coach and Gary Pettis returning as third-base coach.
Uematsu's promotion means the Giants' first-base coaching position changes hands for the 2027 season, which affects how fantasy managers and fans track the team's baserunning and coaching decisions. The team's stolen base ranking and hitting coach search will be the practical benchmarks to watch as the coaching staff takes shape.
The takeaway
Internal promotions like Uematsu's often signal organizational continuity, and the Giants' next hitting coach hire will show whether the team is looking outside for a new approach to offense and baserunning.
Further reading
For more on the team's coaching moves, see Baseball coverage on Wisevoter.
Source note: This article includes information reported by New York Post.
