The Giants underwent a major leadership change over the offseason, bringing in former University of Tennessee coach Tony Vitello to replace Bob Melvin as their manager.
It’ll be a fascinating spring for Vitello, who will not only have to learn the ins and outs of pro ball but also determine which 26 players will be the best fit for a team that will be looking to improve on its underwhelming 81-81 finish in 2025.
The Opening Day roster won’t need to be finalized until the end of March, but here’s an early look at how the group appears to be coming together as pitchers and catchers prepare to report to Spring Training this week.
Catcher (2): Patrick Bailey, Daniel Susac
Possibilities: Jesus Rodriguez, Eric Haase, Logan Porter
Susac will come into camp as a Rule 5 Draft pick, meaning he’ll have to stick on the big league roster for the entire season or be offered back to the A’s. That should make Susac the frontrunner to back up Bailey, though the Giants also created some extra depth by bringing in two more experienced options -- Haase and Porter -- on Minor League deals over the offseason.
First base/DH (2): Rafael Devers, Bryce Eldridge
It’s not a foregone conclusion that Eldridge will be on the Opening Day roster, as the Giants could have their No. 1 prospect open the season at Triple-A Sacramento if they think he needs more seasoning in the Minors. Still, the 21-year-old Eldridge certainly has more than enough talent to force their hands, especially if he shows that he’s comfortable sharing a position with Devers this spring.
Second base (1): Luis Arraez
Arraez’s elite contact skills should bring a new dimension to the Giants’ lineup, but he’ll need to hit enough to make up for his shortcomings on defense. The 28-year-old has accrued -35 Outs Above Average since 2023, the second-worst mark in the Majors behind the Nationals’ CJ Abrams.
Shortstop (1): Willy Adames
Adames emerged as a key impact bat and clubhouse leader after signing a franchise-record $182 million deal with the Giants last offseason. He crushed a team-high 30 home runs in 2025, becoming the first Giants hitter to reach the mark since Barry Bonds in 2004.
Third base (1): Matt Chapman
Chapman endured some inconsistency at the plate after suffering a right hand injury that led to two stints on the injured list last year, but he remained a stabilizing force on defense, which has long been his calling card.
Outfielders (5): Heliot Ramos, Harrison Bader, Jung Hoo Lee, Drew Gilbert, Jerar Encarnacion
Possibilities: Luis Matos, Grant McCray
Bader should provide a much-needed boost to the Giants’ outfield defense, but his arrival might not bode well for the 24-year-old Matos, who is out of options and no longer has an easy path to the big league roster.
Utility (1): Casey Schmitt
Possibilities: Christian Koss, Tyler Fitzgerald
With Arraez expected to play second base for the Giants, Schmitt will likely be bumped to a super-utility role. He could still end up with plenty of at-bats, as he can serve as a defensive replacement at second base and back up the rest of the starting infielders when needed.
Starting rotation (5): Logan Webb, Robbie Ray, Tyler Mahle, Adrian Houser, Landen Roupp
Possibilities: Hayden Birdsong, Blade Tidwell, Carson Whisenhunt, Trevor McDonald
The Giants’ rotation appears mostly set, though there are some durability concerns since Roupp and Mahle have both struggled with injuries in the past. San Francisco has several young starters waiting in the wings, so the club should have options to fill in if holes arise during camp.
Bullpen (8): Ryan Walker, Erik Miller, José Buttó, Sam Hentges, Spencer Bivens, Joel Peguero, Hayden Birdsong, JT Brubaker
Possibilities: Reiver Sanmartin, Tristan Beck, Matt Gage, Carson Seymour, Keaton Winn, Michael Fulmer, Gregory Santos
The most intriguing spring competition will be the battle for bullpen spots, as the Giants are light on established arms after trading away Camilo Doval and Tyler Rogers and losing Randy Rodríguez to Tommy John surgery. Walker is the longest-tenured member of the group, but he’s coming off a down year and will have to compete to reclaim the closer role this spring. Miller, Buttó and Bivens are among the holdovers from last year, so they should be solid bets to be in the Opening Day bullpen along with Hentges, who signed a one-year, $1.4 million deal over the offseason. The final few spots could be up for grabs, which could create openings for non-roster invitees like Fulmer and Santos to potentially crack the big league roster.