Why Bryce Harper called Tony Vitello to Giants 'one of best hires' in MLB

Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper praised the San Francisco Giants for hiring former Tennessee Vols baseball coach Tony Vitello. The Giants' first spring training game is Feb. 21 vs Seattle. Vitello will make his regular-season debut when the Giants play the first game of the entire 2026 MLB season vs the New York Yankees at Oracle Park on March 25.

Harper, who played one season of junior college baseball, has supported the Vols program since becoming a fan of the style of play Vitello instilled. Harper's father pointed out to him that some of UT's stars, including Drew Gilbert and Trey Lipscomb, played as he does.

Why Bryce Harper called Tony Vitello 'the man' Harper called Vitello "the man" on Taylor Lewan's recent podcast "Bussin' With The Boys" and commended Giants president of baseball operations Buster Posey for hiring Vitello in October. “I think it’s one of the best hires around,” Harper said. “Buster did a great job. I mean, Buster wanted him.

I think being able to have Buster as your president and GM, there’s nothing like it. I mean, Posey is one of the best to ever do it as well. I think the big thing for Tony was like, ‘Hey, I want to be able to come in and be myself. I don’t want to have to change, or I don’t want to have to listen to this guy or this guy.’" Harper said he has no problem pulling for an opposing team's manager.

"Every time we play them, I hope we beat them, obviously, but I wish him all the success − just because of the person (Vitello) is ... he's gonna be great for that organization," Harper said. The Phillies play at San Francisco April 6-8 and host the Giants April 28-30.

Tony Vitello has several former Tennessee Vols on Giants roster Harper also pointed out the Giants have several former Vols in their organization, which could benefit Vitello. Gilbert is in the organization along with former Vols pitcher Blade Tidwell, who is on the 40-man roster, Maui Ahuna and Gavin Kilen. "I think (Vitello's) going to do really good things up there," Harper said.

"I think having a guy like that, just the way he coaches − he’s got a lot of Tennessee boys on that team, too − so it’ll be cool.” After becoming close to Vitello, Harper and his family moved from Las Vegas to Knoxville in 2023. Reach Mike Organ at 615-259-8021 or on X @MikeOrganWriter.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Why Bryce Harper is big fan of Giants hiring Tony Vitello Bryce Harper lives in Knoxville and is a Tennessee Vols baseball fan. Bryce Harper lives in Knoxville and is a Tennessee Vols baseball fan.