In the last twelve seasons, the Dodgers have only been unseated once in the National League West. The Giants, however, have had a bit of a managerial carousel since their 2021 title, cycling through three managers. Beyond that standout 107-win season, they’ve struggled through two seasons with sub-.500 records.
Last season, they made a notable change by bringing in former catcher Buster Posey into baseball operations. This winter, Posey took another big step, hiring Tony Vitello as the new manager.
Vitello, who previously led the University of Tennessee to a national championship, will be making history as the first college coach to transition directly into a major league managerial role.
This leads to one big question as Vitello gets ready for the season: Will he succeed?
Most important hitter: Rafael Devers
The Giants made a significant move six weeks before the trade deadline last season by acquiring Rafael Devers from the Red Sox. Unfortunately, the team faltered to a 40-50 record, marking the eighth time in nine years they missed the playoffs. Now, after settling into San Francisco and completing his first spring training, Devers is expected to lead what could be the Giants’ most solid batting lineup in years—perhaps even pushing them back towards postseason play.
Most important pitcher: Landen Loop
Posey chose to innovate rather than reconstruct his pitching lineup, relying on three reliable pitchers from last year and signing veterans Tyler Marr and Adrian Houser to short-term deals. This pair seems capable of securing the third and fourth spots in the rotation behind Logan Webb and Robbie Ray. Thus, the competition for the fifth spot leans towards the team’s younger pitchers, with 26-year-old Landen Roop seen as the leading candidate.
It’s going to be a better year than expected: Patrick Bailey
While his role may be more defensive than offensive, catcher Patrick Bailey is likely to enhance his value thanks to an automatic ball-strike (ABS) challenge system. Rated as one of the best defensive catchers, there were concerns that the automation would hinder his skills, but the challenge system seems to have benefited him. He demonstrated a solid understanding of the strike zone and excelled in challenging calls throughout the spring training.
Luis Arraez is most likely to be disappointed.
With Lee Jung-hoo already contributing as a contact-oriented hitter, and alongside Devers, Willie Adames, and Matt Chapman, the Giants seemed set. Bringing in three-time batting champion Luis Arraez made sense for this approach. However, having him play second base poses challenges, especially considering their ace is a top sinkerball pitcher. Arraez struggled at second during the last time he played there regularly in 2023, while the Padres have mostly used him at first base for the past two years.
Key call-up: Bryce Eldridge
There’s a chance Bryce Eldridge might start his season with the major league club, but it might be wiser to let him gain more experience in Triple-A. Standing 6-foot-7, the 20-year-old first baseman has shown he can hit hard, but he still needs to prove he can do so consistently at higher levels. Having played just 84 games above Double-A, Eldridge had a brief stint with the major league club last season. It’s only a matter of time before he secures a regular spot, but it’s uncertain where he would fit in.
Biggest business decision
EverythingTony Vitello does will be closely watched. Transitioning from NCAA baseball to the majors is no small feat. His players have started to gauge how he manages during spring training, but they’re hesitant to predict how he’ll handle in-game situations until the games kick off. Even local media, generally supportive, could erupt with criticism after a single misstep.
Don’t be surprised…
The Giants aren’t lacking for power hitters this year. They previously struggled to find players with over 30 home runs for two decades, but now they have multiple possibilities. With Devers, Adames, Chapman, and Heriot Ramos in the lineup, it’s likely that any of them could reach that mark this season.
It’s sure to leave fans dissatisfied.
Fans are tired of the poor fundamentals that derailed last season as the Giants fell out of playoff contention. Among National League teams, only the Rockies made more errors. On the base paths, they were similarly unproductive, failing to capitalize on opportunities more than any other team apart from Colorado. With a rookie manager, such mistakes will inevitably face more scrutiny.
How will their season end?: 88-74
There are either significant issues with the pitching staff or the Giants are on the path to their first playoff berth since 2021. If they can maintain pitching depth and their new manager uses it effectively, they might not overtake the Dodgers, but they could capitalize on any slip-ups from the Padres and Diamondbacks. With Logan Webb and Robbie Ray as a strong pitching duo, the Giants could be in a reasonable position for a wild-card series, though they may ultimately fall short in the postseason.
