While the San Francisco Giants want to have a better season under first-year manager Tony Vitello, there are some players who need to step up to the plate, so to speak.

One of those players highlighted in an MLB preview for the Giants' 2026 MLB season is designated hitter-first baseman Rafael Devers.

Last season, which saw Devers play with the Giants and Boston Red Sox, the Sanchez, Dominican Republic native hit a season-total 35 home runs. 

With an emphasis on putting a winning squad on the field, Devers is under the microscope. That's not surprising as he's one of baseball's best hitters.

In his overview of the Giants' upcoming season, ESPN MLB Insider Jeff Passan spent time focusing on Devers in his MLB preview story at ESPN.com. Passan compared what the Giants are looking to do this season alongside the Arizona Diamondbacks.

"Similar to the Diamondbacks, the Giants are a good team in need of bravura performances to separate them from a muddled NL," Passan wrote.

"It's why they were willing to take on more than a quarter of a billion dollars in future salaries to acquire him last June from Boston," Passan continued. "Devers was very good in his 90 games with the Giants, but $250 million-plus is a hefty sum for a first baseman with a 130 OPS+."

Passan pretty much spells out that the Giants will go as Devers goes this season.

"The best of Devers can punch a playoff ticket for the Giants," Passan wrote. "The same old, same old from him could mean the same old, same old for San Francisco."

After reading Passan's words about Devers, some Giants fans want to wonder what might happen with phenom Bryce Eldridge entering the 2026 MLB season. He thinks that Eldridge will be a main player in the middle of the Giants' lineup at some point.

"He might not be with the Giants on Opening Day because of roster gymnastics, but at some point this season, he will hit himself into the mix," Passan wrote.

Passan makes it clear that he believes Eldridge is ready to play in the majors.

Giants fans, keep your eyes not only on Devers but Eldridge this season, too. It'll be interesting to see what Vitello does regarding his lineup.

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