Five infielders who could be competing for a utility infielder role with SF Giants

As currently constructed, the SF Giants have a blueprint for what their infield will look like in 2026. Who will be competing in spring training for a role as a utility infielder?

Who will be competing for a utility infielder role with the SF Giants this spring?

The Giants will likely go with Rafael Devers, Casey Schmitt, Willy Adames, and Matt Chapman to round out the infield. The only question mark here is Schmitt at second base. The Giants have surveyed the market for opportunities to upgrade at that position. This could leave one or two spots open for bench roles.

1. Christian Koss

Christian Koss likely has the edge in this competition. He posted a .676 OPS with three home runs and 23 RBI in 191 plate appearances last season. He was also surprisingly good in run-scoring opportunities, notching 16 hits in 41 at-bats with runners in scoring position.

Koss played primarily at second base and graded out favorably at that position. He also saw some time on the left side of the infield, and was a capable defender at shortstop and third base. Koss also has some pro experience in the outfield.

2. Tyler Fitzgerald

If the Giants carry two utilit infielders, Tyler Fitzgerald has a good chance at making the club. He entered the 2025 season as the everyday second baseman, but lost his role to Casey Schmitt midway through the year.

Overall, the right-handed bat posted a .606 OPS with four home runs and 14 RBI in 243 plate appearances. Similar to Koss, he graded out as a good defender at second base and has some experience in the outfield. Fitzgerald's exposure to the left side of the infield should be limited.

3. Osleivis Basabe

Earlier in the offseason, the Giants re-signed Osleivis Basabe to a minor league deal. Presumably, this includes a camp invite. He should provide infield depth with the Sacramento River Cats. In 2025, he recorded a .721 OPS with 14 home runs and 56 RBI in 477 plate appearances with the River Cats.

Basabe has above-average contact skills, but struggled to a .587 OPS in 94 plate appearances during his brief time with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2022. He has experience all around the diamond, and while he does not excel at any one position, he is a passable infield defender.

4. Nate Furman

The next two options could fill niche roles for the Giants soon enough, but both will need to be extended non-roster invites. The current infield alignment leans heavily on right-handed hitters, which could open the door for a left-handed-hitting infielder.

Nate Furman returned from injury midway through the 2025 season. He tallied a 1.100 OPS with seven home runs and 22 RBI in 154 plate appearances split across four levels. Furman has excellent contact skills and sprays line drives to all fields. He did display a pull-heavy approach in 2025.

Furman has played primarily second base as a pro, but has experience at third base as well. There could be at-bats available for a left-handed bat behind Casey Schmitt at second base.

5. Dayson Croes

Dayson Croes has a similar skillset as Furman. He has elite contact skills and sprays line drives to all fields from the left side. Croes has an oppostive-field heavy approach, so a lot of his contact goes toward left field.

The undrafted free agent had a meteoric rise through the minor league system in 2025, including a brief stint with Sacramento at the end of the season. Overall, he slashed .300/.381/.423 (126 wRC+) with three home runs, 41 RBI, and 44 runs in 365 plate appearances split across four levels.

Croes split time at second base and third base in 2025. Interestingly, he has been getting a lot of outfield reps in the Mexican Pacific Winter League.