A way-too-early lineup projection for the 2025 SF Giants

It may be way too early to project the SF Giants lineup for 2025, but it can be useful to see where the team needs to improve in the offseason. Let’s take a look at what a Giants lineup could look like in 2025 as things currently stand.

This article is not going to project any big free agent signings or trades, it is going to focus on players who are either under contract for next season or are arbitration-eligible and likely to come back. We are also assuming that any Giants who were injured last season will come back and be healthy and ready to go in 2025. Let’s start at the top of the order.

Projecting the SF Giants lineup for 2025

1. CF Jung Hoo Lee

The injury to Jung Hoo Lee in May was a big blow to the Giants. He was a huge free agent signing and seemed to be finding his stride in the big leagues before he got hurt. We can only hope his shoulder injury will not linger. His speed and contact skills still make him the team’s best option as leadoff hitter.

2. SS Tyler Fitzgerald

Tyler Fitzgerald was one of the most pleasant surprises for the SF Giants in 2024. His emergence with the bat as well as his ability to play solid defense at shortstop was a welcome development in an otherwise disappointing season. It is possible he could be moved to second base if the Giants land a shortstop via trade or free agency, but his speed makes him a viable option near the top of the order. We just need to hope that his cooling off at the plate the last few months of 2024 is not a sign of things to come.

3. LF Heliot Ramos

Heliot Ramos was another welcome surprise in 2024. He went from an afterthought at the beginning of the season to an All-Star by the middle of the season and even got a nice feather in his cap near the end of the year by becoming the first right-handed hitter to hit a home run into McCovey Cove. If he can continue to build upon this past season, he could establish himself as the left fielder of the Giants going forward.

4. 3B Matt Chapman

The Giants got a lot out of third baseman Matt Chapman in 2024. He played great at third base defensively and had a very solid year at the plate as well, blasting 27 home runs. He was rewarded with a 6-year contract extension and figures to be a fixture of the middle of the order for the rest of this decade.

5. RF Mike Yastrzemski

Mike Yastrzemski turned in another solid year in 2024. He was solid at the plate with 18 home runs even if the .231 batting average leaves a bit to be desired. But he is very solid defensively in right field. He figures to be a key part of the 2025 Giants and is an undisputed leader on the team.

6. 1B LaMonte Wade Jr.

LaMonte Wade Jr. turned in another respectable year for the Giants in 2024. His power numbers were down as he only hit 8 home runs but his .380 on base percentage is still impressive. He may lose playing time if top prospect Bruce Eldridge gets called up at some point in the year, though. 

7. DH Wilmer Flores

Wilmer Flores seems likely to exercise his player option after an injury-filled 2024 campaign that saw him struggle at the plate with a brutal .206 batting average. In 2023 he was one of the best hitters on the team so perhaps he can turn things around at the plate. The Giants may decide to move on from Wilmer though if they feel his best days are behind him.

8. C Patrick Bailey

Patrick Bailey had another second half slump in 2024 after doing the same thing in his rookie campaign in 2023. He is extremely valuable defensively so he will stay in the lineup, but the Giants will certainly be hoping to get more consistent offensive production from him throughout the year.

9. 2B Casey Schmitt

It seemed like the writing was on the wall for Casey Schmitt after the Giants signed Matt Chapman to his extension. However, Schmitt looked solid at second base which is not his natural position and impressed with the bat down the stretch hitting 6 home runs in just 107 at-bats. Even if the Giants make an upgrade up the middle, Schmitt did enough to show he can be a solid bench player.

That is how the Giants lineup would most likely stand if they made no moves going into 2025. There is certainly room for improvement. DH, shortstop, second base, and first base are some areas where the Giants may try to find an upgrade. We will have to see what moves Buster Posey and his front office make this offseason to make that lineup look more like a contender and less like another year of mediocre baseball.