Kainoa Thomas Correa (born July 14, 1988) is an American professional baseball Major League Field Coordinator/Director of Defense, Baserunning, & Game Strategy for the Cleveland Guardians of Major League Baseball (MLB). He is the former bench coach/interim manager and infield/baserunning instructor for the San Francisco Giants of Major League Baseball (MLB). He played college baseball for the University of Puget Sound. He served as the interim manager for the Giants' final three games of the 2023 season, after the dismissal of manager Gabe Kapler.
| Kai Correa | |
|---|---|
| Cleveland Guardians – No. 50 | |
| Coach | |
| Born: July 14, 1988 Hilo, Hawaii, U.S. | |
Bats: Right Throws: Right | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Managerial record | 1–2 |
| Winning % | .333 |
| Managerial record at Baseball Reference | |
| Teams | |
| As manager
As coach
| |
Early life
editCorrea is of Native Hawaiian, Portuguese, and Japanese descent.[citation needed] Correa attended Waiakea High School in Hilo, Hawaii.[1] He attended the University of Puget Sound, where he played college baseball as an infielder for four years (2007–2010).[2] He graduated with a degree in U.S. History.[2]
Coaching career
editCorrea joined the Puget Sound coaching staff after graduating, and spent the 2010–2011 through 2013–2014 seasons there.[2] During his time there, his roles included head assistant coach, recruiting coordinator, infield coach, third-base coach, academic advisor, and overseeing the team's strength and conditioning program.[2] Correa then moved on to the University of Northern Colorado, where he spent four seasons.[3] His first was as a volunteer assistant, and final three as a full-time assistant coach. He served as the overall defensive coordinator, infield coach, third base coach, and as the recruiting coordinator.[4] He drew a following for posting baseball videos on social media.[5]
Correa joined the Cleveland Indians organization in 2018, and served as the AZL Indians infield coach that season.[1] He spent the 2019 season as the Indians short-season defensive coordinator.[6]
Prior to the 2020 season, Correa joined the San Francisco Giants coaching staff as their bench coach and infield instructor.[7][8]
On September 29, 2023, the Giants fired manager Gabe Kapler and named Correa interim manager for the final three games of the 2023 season.[9]
On November 27, 2023, the Cleveland Guardians hired Correa to be their major league field coordinator.[10]
On November 13, 2024, the Cleveland Guardians promoted Correa to be their director of defense, baserunning, & game strategy in addition to major league field coordinator. [11]
Managerial record
edit- As of games played on October 1, 2023
| Team | Year | Regular season | Postseason | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Games | Won | Lost | Win % | Finish | Won | Lost | Win % | Result | ||
| SF | 2023 | 3 | 1 | 2 | .333 | 4th in NL West | – | – | – | – |
| Total | 3 | 1 | 2 | .333 | 0 | 0 | – | |||
References
edit- ^ a b Kevin Jakahi (December 21, 2017). "Cleveland Indians hire Correa as minor league infield coach". Hawaii Tribune-Herald. Retrieved December 9, 2019.
- ^ a b c d "Kai Correa bio". Puget Sound Loggers. Retrieved December 9, 2019.
- ^ Kevin Jakahi (July 17, 2016). "Baseball: Correa's good fortune, hard work propel him on D1 level". West Hawaii Today. Retrieved December 9, 2019.
- ^ "Kai Correa coaching bio". Northern Colorado Bears. Retrieved December 9, 2019.
- ^ "The Business of Baseball". University of Puget Sound. Retrieved November 18, 2021.
- ^ Paul Hoynes (January 22, 2019). "Manager Tony Mansolino promoted to Class AAA Columbus as Cleveland Indians set minor league staff". The Plain Dealer. Retrieved December 9, 2019.
- ^ "SFGiants Add Eight To Coaching Staff". MLB.com. December 11, 2019. Retrieved December 11, 2019.
- ^ Andrew Baggarly (December 7, 2019). "Winter Meetings preview: The Giants are truly free to remake themselves this offseason". The Athletic. Retrieved December 9, 2019.
- ^ Wirth, Taylor (September 29, 2023). "Giants name Kai Correa interim manager after Kapler firing". NBC Sports Bay Area & California. Retrieved October 30, 2024.
- ^ Potosky, Logan (November 27, 2023). "Cleveland Guardians Announce 2024 Major League Coaching Staff". si.com. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
- ^ Bell, Mandy (November 13, 2024). "Guardians announce on-field staff promotions". mlb.com. Retrieved November 13, 2024.