Giants manager Tony Vitello speaks on the strides the team has made as it stays hot.
With momentum building after two straight wins over the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco continues to prioritize growth over results, a theme Tony Vitello reinforced during his pregame media availability.
Vitello pointed to lineup flexibility as a key factor in the Giants’ early approach, noting the importance of managing workload while keeping players engaged.
“Trying to balance out some of these guys’ workload,” Vitello said. “We’ve got a bunch of guys that want to be out there every day…maybe it keeps Schmitty a little fresh, and even if it doesn’t, it’ll keep Brendan a little more seasoned.”
That balance also extends to late-game strategy. “You at least want the option to pinch-hit late in the game,” he added, referencing prior in-game decisions. “Try to knock out a few things, but keep the overall goal trying to win the game.”
Offensively, Vitello highlighted the importance of process over immediate production, pointing to recent adjustments paying off.
“He’s been putting in extra work in the cage,” Vitello said. “You don’t always get the outcome right away… but if you rewatch that swing… it was a pretty swing for any type of hitter.”
Defensive development has followed a similar trajectory, particularly for players still gaining experience at new positions.
“He’s bounced around with good energy… moved well side to side,” Vitello said. “We’re still under 100 games he’s ever played over there… there’s been days where he and Wash put in extra time… that’s progress.”
While the Giants’ recent wins over their division rival carry weight, Vitello made it clear the focus remains internal.
“You just want progress… if you get better every day, it takes care of everything,” he said. “This early in the season… you’d like to see strides rather than inches. And I think our guys have made strides.”
Those strides, according to Vitello, extend beyond the field. “Personality-wise, character-wise, the way guys approach things… some of the swings have a little more dig to them,” he said. “The pitchers… there’s been a lot of grit.”
On the mound, the Giants will look to Logan Webb to continue that trend. Vitello expressed confidence in his preparation heading into the matchup. “I think he’s had a good week leading up to it… I think he’s in a good place,” Vitello said.
More broadly, Vitello believes both Webb and the team are still evolving. “We’re in a good spot if we haven’t found our best selves,” he said. “He’s like that too… searching and finding the best version of their 2026 self.”
As San Francisco looks to extend its early-season success, the message remains consistent: progress first, results second, and right now, both are beginning to align.
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