SF Giants among 3 teams who are projected to see biggest improvement on defense

Mike Petriello of MLB.Com highlighted teams that are projected to see the biggest improvement on defense in 2025. The Boston Red Sox, SF Giants, and Chicago Cubs are seen as the three teams expected to see the biggest improvement.

SF Giants among 3 teams who are projected to see biggest improvement on defense

On the other hand, the New York Yankees and Kansas City Royals are viewed as the teams who will see the biggest drop off on defense. Petriello took the average of two defensive projections from Fangraphs and translated it in terms of runs above average.

Zero runs is the baseline. Anything above it is considered above average and anything below it is considered below average.

In this analysis, the Red Sox get the nod for the biggest improvement with +22 runs above average. The Giants are not far behind with +18 runs above average.

Interestingly, the Giants are returning many of the same players from last year's roster. The notable addition was adding Willy Adames on a long-term deal.

When last year began, the Giants had quality options at just about every position. You could have made the case that Michael Conforto in left field and the combination of Wilmer Flores or LaMonte Wade Jr. at first base were the weakest spots.

Of course, baseball happens and the Giants' depth was tested and exposed at some key positions. Nick Ahmed began the year as the everyday shortstop and did nicely on defense but was a weak link with the bat. When the Giants released him midway through the year, Brett Wisely and Tyler Fitzgerald saw the bulk of the playing time at shortstop.

Wisely has made some nice strides on defense and turned out to be a serviceable option at shortstop. However, Fitzgerald was challenged at shortstop but a move to second base should benefit both him and the team.

In addition to this, Jung Hoo Lee missed most of the year after sustaining a season-ending shoulder injury. The Giants relied on Heliot Ramos as the primary option in center field after that, but he better profiles as a corner outfielder.

The Giants' improvement on defense is largely predicated on Lee staying healthy. On paper, Ramos, Lee, and Mike Yastrzemski should give the Giants better outfield defense than they have had in recent years.

The addition of Adames will bolster the lineup. Before the 2024 season, he was an above-average glove at shortstop as well. That was not so much the case last year, but the projections see his glove as rebounding to some degree.

Plus, the veteran infielder will be paired with some elite options in the infield grass including Matt Chapman at third base and Patrick Bailey at catcher. Having Chapman should only help Adames at shortstop.

Pitching and defense will need to be a strength for the Giants to have a chance at a playoff spot. On paper, they should see a pretty nice improvement, especially at a couple of premium positions, on defense in 2025.