The San Francisco Giants had a below average offense in 2025, and a specific issue contributed greatly to their struggles.
After another mediocre season, the San Francisco Giants enter the 2026 season with a new manager in Tony Vitello and a chance to return to contending for a spot in the postseason.
The Giants finished with a .500 record in 2025 and had a subpar offense, with glaring struggles specifically from their left-handed hitters. The lack of production from that side of the plate has ESPN’s David Schoenfield emphasizing a need for San Francisco to improve in his “2026 MLB Predictions: One stat to make or break every NL team” article.
“The Giants ranked 27th in the majors in home runs from left-handed hitters,” he wrote. “Some of that low total was a result of Oracle Park, one of the most difficult home run parks for left-handed hitters, but mostly it was due to a lack of power from the left side, with Rafael Devers hitting 20 of those 52 home runs.”
“Having him for the entire season will help, but the Giants' other three top power hitters were Willy Adames, Matt Chapman and Heliot Ramos, all lower-average, right-handed hitters who either strike out too much (Adames and Chapman) or don't walk enough (Ramos). That made it easier for teams to match up against the middle of the lineup.”
The Giants ranked 19th in Major League Baseball with 173 home runs and a .235 batting average that ranked 25th. It is clear San Francisco has a collective need for better hitting with most of the weakness resulting in its southpaws.
“Rookie first baseman/DH Bryce Eldridge is the Giants' big hope from the left side,” Schoenfield added. “He's just 21 years old and debuted late last season, although a little more polish in Triple-A might be in order. Schwarber would have been a nice addition for San Francisco.”
“Maybe Kyle Tucker is the answer to fill a hole in the outfield. Maybe there is a trade for a lefty-hitting second baseman with power (Brandon Lowe or Jazz Chisholm Jr. would fit). No matter the fix, the Giants need more pop from the left side.”
At least for the time being, Buster Posey and the Giants front office can forget about Lowe after the Pittsburgh Pirates acquired him in a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays earlier this month. However, he could be an option by the next trade deadline or offseason. Chisholm Jr. is in his final arbitration year, making his future with the Yankees uncertain and opening him as a possible target for the Giants.
Whatever the solution, San Francisco needs to improve its left-handed hitting and offensive production overall to once again become a contender.