Hubbry Logo
Mark HallbergMark HallbergMain
Open search
Mark Hallberg
Community hub
Mark Hallberg
logo
7 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Mark Hallberg
Mark Hallberg
Mark Hallberg
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

Marcus T. Hallberg (born December 9, 1985) is an American professional baseball bench coach in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Minnesota Twins. A former infielder. During his junior and senior seasons in high school, Hallberg did not strike out once. He then batted .362 in his three-year college career. In 2006, he was the toughest batter in the NCAA to strike out, at once every 36 at-bats. The Arizona Diamondbacks selected Hallberg in the ninth round of the 2007 MLB draft. He played five seasons in the minor leagues, before turning to coaching and managing. He previously served as the first base coach for the San Francisco Giants.

Key Information

Early years

[edit]

Hallberg was born in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. His parents were teachers who lived abroad; Hallberg spent his first eight years living in Jeddah and Riyadh in Saudi Arabia and another five years living in Islamabad, Pakistan. Hallberg moved from Islamabad to Barron, Wisconsin before his sophomore year at Barron High School.[1]

High school career

[edit]

Hallberg graduated from Barron High School, batting .455 in his high school career.[2] During his junior and senior seasons in high school, Hallberg did not strike out once.[3] As a senior, he had a 5–0 win–loss record with an 0.80 earned run average as a pitcher.[4] He was named All-State three times, and was the 2004 Northwest Wisconsin Player of the Year.[4] In soccer, he led the state in scoring as a senior, with 45 goals.[4] He was inducted into Barron High School's Wall of Honor on December 22, 2017.

College career

[edit]

Hallberg attended the University of Illinois Chicago for two years, where he played college baseball for the Illinois-Chicago Flames. In his freshman year for the Flames in 2005, he was the fourth-toughest hitter in the nation to strike out, and batted .354, while leading the league in hits (84) and runs (54).[3] He was named to the 2005 Horizon League All-Newcomer Team, and named a 2005 Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American by Collegiate Baseball.[4] In 2006, he was the toughest batter in the NCAA to strike out, at once every 36 at bats, and had a .373/.462/.512 slash line.[4] He was named All-Horizon League First Team in both 2005 and 2006.[4]

Hallberg transferred to Florida State University to play for the Florida State Seminoles for his junior year, and in 2007 Hallberg slashed .360/.447/.476 in 250 at bats, while playing shortstop.[5] He was selected as All-Conference First Team for the Atlantic Coast Conference, Third Team All-American by the American Baseball Coaches Association, and All-American Honorable Mention by Ping.[6] Overall, he had a .362/.438/.486 slash line for his college career.[7]

Minor league career

[edit]

The Arizona Diamondbacks selected Hallberg in the ninth round, with the 283rd overall selection, of the 2007 Major League Baseball draft, and he signed for a signing bonus of $95,000 and played in Minor League Baseball within the Diamondbacks' farm system.[8] He was the 2008 Hawaii Winter Baseball Most Valuable Player, playing for the West Oahu CaneFires, for whom he batted .362 while playing primarily second base.[9][10]

In Hallberg's minor-league career, he played 221 games at second base, 168 games at shortstop, and 121 games at third base.[7] In five minor-league seasons, in which he played as high as Triple-A, he batted .277, retiring after a season in which he had a nagging painful throwing arm injury through which he played.[11]

Coaching and managing career

[edit]

After he retired as a player in April 2012, Hallberg coached the River Falls High School baseball team as he finished his Bachelors degree. From 2014 to 2017, he was assistant coach of the Orleans Firebirds of the Cape Cod Baseball League.[12] He coached for the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes in 2018 and was their manager in 2019.[13] He previously worked as a teacher and recreational coordinator at the American School of Dubai from 2016-2020.[14]

San Francisco Giants

[edit]

The San Francisco Giants hired Hallberg as an Assistant Coach in 2020, and he was named their Third Base Coach following the 2021 season.[13][15]

On November 10, 2023, following the hiring of Matt Williams as the third base coach for the Giants, it was announced that Hallberg would be named first base coach for the 2024 season, replacing Antoan Richardson.[16]

Minnesota Twins

[edit]

On November 14, 2025, Hallberg was hired by the Minnesota Twins as their bench coach.[17]

Education

[edit]

Hallberg holds a Bachelor’s in Health and Human Performance (K-12 Teaching) and a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA).

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Mark Hallberg

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Marcus T. Hallberg (born December 9, 1985) is an American professional baseball coach and former infielder, who served as the first base coach for the Giants of (MLB) from 2024 to 2025 and was hired as bench coach for the in November 2025. Born in , , to parents who worked as administrators, Hallberg spent much of his childhood living in various countries in the , including , while spending summers in . Hallberg attended Barron High School in , where he excelled in multiple sports and earned 12 varsity letters, and was recognized as a four-time . He began his career at the University of Illinois at (UIC), playing two seasons for as a and , where he posted a .280 over 2005 and 2006. Transferring to (FSU) for his junior and senior years, Hallberg continued as an for the Seminoles, earning All-ACC First Team honors in 2007 after batting .345 with 10 home runs and 52 RBIs; during this time, he roomed with and influenced future Giants teammate to switch from third base to . Hallberg graduated from FSU with a degree in and later earned a master's in . Selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the ninth round (283rd overall) of the 2007 MLB Draft out of FSU, Hallberg signed a professional contract and played five seasons in the minors as a right-handed batting , primarily at second base and , reaching Triple-A Reno in 2010. Over 542 games, he hit .288 with 21 home runs and 241 RBIs, and was ranked as the Diamondbacks' No. 4 prospect by Baseball America entering 2009 for his defensive skills and plate discipline. Retiring from playing at age 25 after the 2011 season to pursue teaching abroad, Hallberg worked as an educator in while coaching amateur , including three summers with the Orleans Firebirds in the starting in 2013. Hallberg's coaching career began in earnest with the Giants organization in 2019, when he was hired as manager of the short-season , leading them to a first-half division title in his debut year and emphasizing fundamentals that earned praise from farm director Zack Minasian. Promoted to assistant coach for the major league team in 2020 under manager , he contributed to the Giants' 107-win season in 2021. He transitioned to third base coach after the 2021 season, helping improve baserunning during the 2022 season. In 2024, with the arrival of Matt Williams as third base coach, Hallberg shifted to first base coach, a role he held through the 2025 season, where he oversaw baserunning strategies amid the team's rebuild. In October 2025, he emerged as a candidate for the Giants' managerial vacancy before was hired. In November 2025, following the 2025 season, Hallberg left the Giants to become the bench coach for the . Throughout his Giants tenure, Hallberg has been noted for his global perspective and player development acumen.

Early life and education

Early life

Mark Hallberg was born on December 9, 1985, in , , to American parents employed as international school administrators. He spent the first eight years of his life in before the family moved to , where his parents continued their work in international schooling, while spending summers in . The Hallbergs relocated to , before Hallberg’s sophomore year of high school, drawn by proximity to extended family and his father's subsequent role as a school district administrator.

Education

Hallberg attended Barron High School in , where he graduated in 2004. During his time there, he excelled in multiple sports, earning 12 varsity letters, recognition as a four-time , and Scholar-Athlete of the Year for the 2003-04 school year. Following high school, Hallberg briefly attended the University of Illinois at Chicago before transferring to to continue his career. He later completed a degree in from . After retiring from , Hallberg pursued further education, earning a (MBA). His undergraduate studies in provided foundational knowledge in athlete development, directly supporting his transition into coaching roles focused on player performance and skill enhancement.

Playing career

High school career

Mark Hallberg attended Barron High School in , where he emerged as a standout multisport , particularly in . As a versatile player, he primarily competed as an while also taking on pitching duties, showcasing his athletic prowess across multiple roles on the diamond. Throughout his high school career, Hallberg demonstrated exceptional hitting consistency, compiling a .455 overall. Notably, he recorded zero strikeouts during his junior and senior seasons, highlighting his plate discipline and contact skills. In his senior year, he excelled on the mound with an undefeated 5-0 record and a 0.80 ERA, contributing significantly to the team's success. His performance earned him three-time All-State honors in , along with All-District and All-Conference recognitions. Hallberg's high school achievements laid a strong foundation for his college recruitment, drawing attention from programs like the University of -Chicago. In recognition of his contributions to Barron athletics, he was inducted into the school's Golden Bears Reaching Dreams Wall of Honor on December 22, 2017, during halftime of a boys' game.

College career

Mark Hallberg began his college career as an at the University of at Chicago (UIC) in 2005, where he played second base and during his and seasons. In his debut year, Hallberg batted .354 over 59 games, recording 84 hits, 54 runs scored, 42 RBI, 3 home runs, and just 11 strikeouts in 237 at-bats, which ranked second in UIC's single-season history for hits. His performance earned him selections to the All- First Team, the All-Newcomer Team, and the Louisville Slugger All-American team, while he led the league in hits and runs scored. As a in , Hallberg improved to a .373 across 55 games, with 81 hits, 41 RBI, 3 home runs, and only 6 strikeouts in 217 at-bats, securing his second consecutive All- First Team honor. Hallberg's plate discipline stood out nationally during his UIC tenure, particularly in 2006 when he recorded just one every 36 at-bats, making him the toughest batter to strike out in baseball that season. Over his two years at UIC, he tallied only 17 s, underscoring his exceptional contact skills. He was also considered for Player of the Year honors in both seasons based on his consistent production and leadership in key offensive categories. Following his sophomore year, Hallberg transferred to (FSU) for his junior season in 2007, continuing as a and . At FSU, he hit .360 in 62 games, amassing 90 hits, 68 runs, 56 RBI, and 3 home runs with 20 strikeouts in 250 at-bats, contributing significantly to the Seminoles' campaign. His efforts were recognized with an All-ACC First Team selection, as well as Third Team All-American honors from the American Baseball Coaches Association and honorable mention from Ping! Baseballs. Across his three seasons, Hallberg maintained an overall of .362. Hallberg's collegiate success culminated in his selection by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the ninth round (283rd overall) of the 2007 MLB Draft out of FSU.

Minor league career

Following the 2007 MLB Draft, where he was selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the ninth round out of , Mark Hallberg signed with the organization and began his professional career that summer. He spent his first season with the Short-Season A Yakima Bears of the , where he posted a .313 over 58 games, showcasing early promise as an . Hallberg demonstrated defensive versatility across the infield, primarily at and second base, while occasionally playing third base during his minor league tenure. Over the next four seasons from 2008 to 2011, Hallberg progressed through the Diamondbacks' affiliates, reaching Triple-A by 2010. In 2008, he split time between the Advanced A of the , where he hit .283 in 69 games, and the winter Hawaii Winter Baseball League with the West Oahu CaneFires. He advanced to Double-A with the Mobile BayBears of the Southern League in 2009, appearing in 132 games, before making his Triple-A debut with the of the in 2010, where he played 121 games. In 2011, Hallberg shuttled between Mobile (15 games) and Reno (114 games), batting .288 overall across 129 games at the Double-A and Triple-A levels. Across five minor league seasons, Hallberg compiled a career .283 batting average in 542 games, with 534 hits in 1,890 at-bats, 21 home runs, and 241 RBIs, while stealing 38 bases. His positional flexibility extended to 221 games at second base, 168 at , 121 at third base, and some time at first base, making him a utility option in the system. Despite reaching the highest level, Hallberg never appeared in a Major League Baseball game. In January 2012, he retired from playing due to a nagging throwing arm injury that had persisted through his final season and prevented further advancement.

Coaching career

Early coaching roles

Following his retirement from professional baseball in early 2012 due to injury, Hallberg transitioned into coaching by joining the River Falls High School baseball team in as co-head coach, where he helped guide the program while completing his in at the . After his time at River Falls, Hallberg taught and worked as a recreational coordinator at in and from 2012 to 2018, while returning to the U.S. for summer coaching. Hallberg spent the summers of 2014 through 2017 as an assistant coach for the Orleans Firebirds in the , a premier collegiate summer league, contributing to the team's development of top prospects. Under his tenure, the Firebirds achieved strong regular-season records, including 31 wins and 12 losses in 2015, and advanced to the playoffs in multiple seasons, reaching the West Division Final in 2015 where they fell to the Yarmouth–Dennis Red Sox. In 2018, Hallberg joined the San Francisco Giants organization as fundamentals coach for their Short-Season A affiliate, the Salem–Keizer Volcanoes of the Northwest League, before being promoted to manager in 2019. As manager, he led the Volcanoes to a 46–30 record and second-place finish in the South Division, though they were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs. These roles allowed Hallberg to draw on his nine years of minor league playing experience as an infielder to emphasize player fundamentals and strategic growth at the amateur and low-level professional stages.

San Francisco Giants roles

Hallberg joined the San Francisco Giants in 2020 as an assistant coach, completing Gabe Kapler's major league coaching staff alongside . He was promoted to third base coach on November 9, 2021, succeeding and serving in that role through the 2023 season, with a focus on baserunning decisions and defensive signaling. In advance of the 2024 season, Hallberg shifted to first base coach on November 10, 2023, a position he maintained entering 2025. Following the hiring of new manager in October 2025, Hallberg was granted permission to pursue other opportunities. On November 14, 2025, he was hired as bench coach for the . Hallberg's work emphasized baserunning efficiency and infield coaching, contributing to the team's strategies for attempts and defensive alignments during his time as third and first base coach. During the Giants' 2025 managerial search, Hallberg emerged as an internal candidate, drawing interest for his progression within the organization and prior collaboration with , but he was not selected.

References

  1. https://www.mlb.com/player/mark-hallberg-506912
  2. https://www.nbcsportsbayarea.com/mlb/san-francisco-giants/hallberg-took-unique-journey-to-giants-coaching-staff/1181460/
  3. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/1154774/2019/08/23/35-under-35-the-story-behind-how-minor-league-manager-mark-hallberg-already-has-changed-giants-history/
  4. https://uicflames.com/sports/baseball/roster/mark-hallberg/306
  5. https://www.nolefan.org/baseball/hallberg_mark.html
  6. https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=hallbe001mar
  7. https://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Mark_Hallberg
  8. https://sports.yahoo.com/article/mark-hallberg-six-years-giants-060143727.html
  9. https://www.wsj.com/sports/baseball/san-francisco-giants-coaching-staff-11651493931
  10. https://www.startribune.com/twins-bench-coach-mark-hallberg-barron-wisconsin-saudi-arabia-pakistan-derek-shelton-mlb/601525692
  11. https://www.apg-wi.com/rice_lake_chronotype/sports/baseball-mlb-coach-barron-grad-mark-hallberg-makes-giant-impact-on-young-ballplayers/article_892ba716-dda6-506e-a025-b77342b4e5f8.html
  12. https://www.news-shield.com/news/top_stories/article_c3f1922a-da92-11e7-b0b0-a3423c968e15.html
  13. https://www.news-shield.com/news/top_stories/article_a368abb3-5f51-52ab-ac4a-8faf695c99e8.html
  14. https://www.mlb.com/press-release/press-release-giants-hire-mark-hallberg-and-alyssa-nakken-as-assistant-coaches
  15. https://www.thebaseballcube.com/content/player/56352/
  16. https://uicflames.com/news/2005/6/8/first_baseman_mark_hallberg_named_to_2005_louisville_slugger_freshman_all_american_baseball_team.aspx
  17. https://www.nolefan.org/summary/ba2007.html
  18. https://uicflames.com/news/2006/4/27/mark_hallberg_the_nation_s_toughest_hitter_to_strike_out.aspx
  19. https://uicflames.com/news/2006/1/25/_i_baseball_america_i_tabs_uic_as_horizon_league_favorite_in_2006.aspx
  20. https://www.news-shield.com/sports/other_sports/article_1b3eda60-6875-11e1-ba34-001871e3ce6c.html
  21. https://sfgiants.mlblogs.com/2020-coaching-staff-part-iii-472c7efc6
  22. https://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Orleans_Firebirds
  23. https://www.facebook.com/CapeCodBaseballLeague/videos/y-d-red-sox-beat-orleans-firebirds-2-1-to-win-the-west-division-final-anything-c/960301530700606/
  24. https://www.thebaseballcube.com/content/minor_team.asp?ID=10374&view=staff
  25. https://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Salem-Keizer_Volcanoes
  26. https://www.statscrew.com/minorbaseball/roster/t-sv14254/y-2019
  27. https://www.espn.com/mlb/team/transactions/_/name/sf/season/2021
  28. https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/giants/article/Giants-make-several-coaching-moves-promote-Mark-16606307.php
  29. https://www.mlb.com/press-release/sf-2023-coaches-announced-11-10-2023
  30. https://www.mlb.com/news/twins-finalize-major-league-coaching-staff
  31. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/4557012/2023/05/27/giants-runners-brandon-crawford-sits-brewers/
  32. https://www.sfgate.com/giants/article/sf-giants-manager-rumored-candidates-21073888.php
  33. https://www.justbaseball.com/mlb/top-candidates-sf-giants-next-manager/
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.