Kainoa Thomas Correa (born July 14, 1988) is an American professional baseball Major League field coordinator 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 |
| Teams | |
As coach
As manager | |
Early life
Correa 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
Correa 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]
Managerial record
- 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 | – | |||