Shortstop projects as another key strength for the San Francisco Giants entering the 2026 season, anchored by a proven veteran and supported by dependable internal depth.

With Willy Adames locked in as the everyday starter and Christian Koss providing coverage behind him, the Giants appear well-positioned at one of the game’s most demanding defensive positions.

According to MLB.com, Adames and Koss are the two shortstops currently listed on the Giants’ depth chart entering the season. While that list does not guarantee Opening Day roles, it offers a clear insight into the organization’s internal options as Spring Training approaches.

Adames is coming off his first season in San Francisco after signing a seven-year, $182 million contract last offseason. While his 2025 campaign featured some inconsistency, he still provided significant value.

Adames appeared in all 160 games, posting a .225/.318/.421 slash line with 30 home runs, good for a 111 OPS+, while finishing the season worth 3.7 WAR. Even with a dip in batting average compared to prior seasons, his combination of power, durability, and elite defense made him one of the Giants’ most valuable everyday players.

Defensively, Adames remained a standout, continuing to grade among the league’s better shortstops with his range, instincts, and arm strength.

Looking ahead to 2026, the Giants will be counting on him to rebound offensively, particularly by improving his on-base percentage, while maintaining the defensive consistency that has defined his career.

If Adames can lift his average even modestly, then he profiles as a cornerstone player for a Giants team aiming to close the gap in a competitive NL West.

Behind him, Christian Koss offers reliable depth. Koss made his MLB debut in 2025 and appeared in 74 games, hitting .264/.309/.368 with three home runs. While his offensive profile does not project as a standout, Koss brings sound fundamentals, positional versatility, and steady defense across the infield.

At 27 years old, he is expected to serve primarily as a backup, with additional playing time likely coming at second base alongside Casey Schmitt, who is projected to handle the bulk of the workload there in 2026.

Overall, shortstop remains firmly in Adames’ hands, with Koss providing capable support behind him.

With strong defense up the middle and the potential for offensive improvement, the position stands as another area of stability for the Giants as they look to take a step forward in 2026.

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