The Cleveland Guardians have lost some coaches this offseason, with Conner Watson leaving for the Houston Astros and other teams reportedly circling assistant pitching coach Brad Goldberg. On Friday, the club went the other direction and brought in a new face from outside the organization. Alex Burg, who spent this past season as the San Francisco Giants’ field coordinator and catching coach, is heading to Cleveland as a quality control coach.
“Alex Burg, the Giants’ field coordinator and catching coach, is joining the Cleveland Guardians as a quality control coach, per source. He will be reunited with Patrick Bailey, who won two Gold Gloves under Burg in SF,” Justice delos Santos wrote.
Alex Burg, the Giants' field coordinator and catching coach, is joining the Cleveland Guardians as a quality control coach, per source.
He will be reunited with Patrick Bailey, who won two Gold Gloves under Burg in SF.
— Justice delos Santos (@justdelossantos) November 13, 2026
That connection is what makes this move so interesting. Bailey has become one of the best defensive catchers in baseball, and he developed much of that reputation working with Burg in San Francisco. Bailey is Cleveland’s starting catcher, and his framing, blocking and game calling are a huge part of why the Guardians’ pitching staff was so dominant this season. Bringing back the coach who helped him get there should keep his defense at an elite level.
Burg could make an impact well beyond Bailey, too. The Guardians still need a backup catcher after Austin Hedges reached free agency, and International League MVP Cooper Ingle is one of the top candidates for the job. Ingle’s bat is ahead of his glove, and spending time with a catching specialist like Burg could help him close that gap. Cleveland also has a deep group of catching prospects coming through the system, including Reiner Herrera, Bennett Thompson and Kody Huff.
Burg’s own path to this point was a long one. The 39-year-old grew up in Des Moines, Washington, and was named the state’s Player of the Year as a senior at Mount Rainier High School. He played two seasons at Clemson before transferring to Washington State, and the Giants drafted him in the 24th round in 2009.
He spent eight seasons in the minors from 2010 to 2018, hitting .260 with a .344 on base percentage and a .441 slugging percentage while playing several positions. He also spent a season with the Long Island Ducks in the independent Atlantic League and played winter ball in Australia and Venezuela.
His coaching career started in Texas. The Rangers hired Burg in 2019 for a newly created position as their Coordinator of Run Production, a role he held for three years. He returned to the Giants in 2022 as a bullpen catcher, was promoted to big league catching coach in 2024 and added field coordinator duties this past season.
That mix of experience is a strong fit for a quality control role, which usually involves breaking down data, scouting opponents and helping the coaching staff prepare. Burg has worked on both the offensive and defensive sides of the game, and he understands how to turn information into something players can actually use.
This is not the kind of move that grabs headlines, but it is the kind Cleveland has made for years. The Guardians just added a coach with a proven track record of developing elite defensive catchers, and he already has a strong relationship with their starter behind the plate.
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