How Mitch Haniger went from Cal Poly to playing for the San Francisco Giants

When Mitch Haniger signed with the San Francisco Giants this past offseason, it was a move away from the Seattle Mariners, a team he called home for five years and where he earned an All-Star appearance in 2018.

But Haniger heading to the Giants was also a return to the 2022 Cal Poly Hall of Fame inductee’s roots.

“Its been fun putting on the Giants’ uniform,” said Haniger, who grew up going to games at Oracle Park.

Haniger is originally from San Jose, and the close proximity allows his friends and family to attend games and watch him play, which he says has been “exciting.”

After attending Archibishop Mitty High School, Haniger went on to have a storied baseball career at Cal Poly.

In 2010, he was named Big West Freshman Field Player of the Year. In 2012, he earned Big West Field Player of the Year and was named first team All Big West, putting up a .346 average with 13 home runs and 64 RBIs.

Over his Cal Poly career, Haniger hit .317 with 26 home runs and 137 RBIs.

While his play at Cal Poly launched his baseball career, it was the off-the-field activities, particularly restaurants in San Luis Obispo, that Haniger recalls most fondly about his time here.

“Too many,” Haniger said when asked about any memories he had of Cal Poly, while chatting with a reporter before a Giants game in San Francisco on May 20.

He recalled eating at Firestone, getting burritos from Breakfast Buzz, and G-Brothers.

“It was a lot of good times at Cal Poly,” he said.

In his junior year, the Milwaukee Brewers selected Haniger with the 38th overall pick in the 2012 draft.

He got his first shot in the majors with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2016. After one season, he moved to the Mariners, where he played through 2022.

He put up his best offensive numbers in 2021, when he hit a career-high 39 home runs to go with 100 RBIs.

Former Cal Poly star finding his groove with Giants

After arriving in San Francisco, the outfielder spent the first month of the season on the injured list and then struggled coming off the IL. But he has recently picked up his play.

“He’s starting to swing the bat really well, and there hasn’t been a moment where we haven’t remembered his track record of success both in Seattle and even in some moments with us so far,” Giants manager Gabe Kapler said.

Over four games from Friday to Monday, Haniger recorded three hits in three different games, including two home runs and three doubles. On the season, he is batting .255 with 27 hits and 19 RBIs.

Kapler added Haniger has “integrated himself very well” to the team.

“A lot of that is because he’s pretty easy to like and easygoing and very prepared,” he said. “He just fits perfectly to our clubhouse. If anything I think the more comfortable he gets, the longer he’s a Giant, the more likely all of his leadership characteristics come out.”

Haniger is in the first season of a three-year $43 million contract with the Giants.