Taking a look at the San Francisco Giants’ left field outlook heading into the 2026 season, the club appears to be in a solid position as the new year approaches.

The offseason addition of center fielder Harrison Bader has significantly reshaped the Giants’ outfield alignment. With Bader expected to handle center field duties, Jung Hoo Lee is likely to slide over to right field, a move that could benefit him on both sides of the ball.

Lee made noticeable offensive strides this past season, and shifting to right field should reduce some of the defensive burden he faced in center, where his glove was one of the few areas that drew mild criticism.

With Lee penciled in as the everyday right fielder and Bader anchoring center, left field now projects as a platoon situation between Drew Gilbert and Heliot Ramos.

The pairing makes sense on paper as Ramos brings a right-handed bat while Gilbert hits from the left side, allowing the Giants to optimize matchups depending on opposing pitching.

Offensively, Ramos likely offers the higher ceiling hitting a slash line of .256/.328/.400 in 2025, but his defensive profile remains a concern. While he possesses a strong throwing arm in left field, his consistency on routine plays has been questioned.

According to Baseball Savant, Ramos posted a -9 Outs Above Average, highlighting the defensive limitations that could impact his everyday role.

Gilbert, on the other hand, profiles as the stronger defender. He finished with a +2 Outs Above Average, grading out as slightly above average at the position and offering more reliability in the field.

Although his offensive production lagged, posting a .198/.248/.350 slash line across 100 at-bats, it is important to note that 2025 marked his first extended look at the big-league level, leaving room for growth moving forward.

Entering the 2026 season, Ramos is still expected to see the majority of playing time in left field due to his bat, but Gilbert should factor in as a defensive-minded option and matchup-based starter.

If Gilbert can take a step forward offensively, then the Giants could find themselves with a well-balanced platoon that adds both depth and flexibility to their outfield mix.

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