SF Giants have quickly and quietly cut down on frustrating trend

Too many strikeouts has been a constant complaint about SF Giants hitters in recent years. If spring training is any indication, they look to be bucking that trend.

SF Giants have quickly and quietly cut down on frustrating trend

The Giants began Friday with only 43 strikeouts as a team. That was the fourth-fewest number of strikeouts this spring. This comes out to an 18.4 percent strikeout rate.

In 2025, the Toronto Blue Jays led baseball with a 17.8 percent strikeout rate. On the other hand, the Giants had a 22.7 percent strikeout rate, which was in the middle of the pack. The Giants are hoping to build a lineup that puts the ball in play more often. They have started by snagging former Blue Jays assistant hitting coach Hunter Mense to help steer the offense in the right direction.

In addition to prioritizing contact in last year's draft, the Giants have made several additions that should help them in that category. Of course, Luis Arráez is the notable addition on that front. He will take over as the team's second baseman and add some variance to the lineup.

The Giants also brought in Will Brennan on a split contract. He has quality contact skills, even if it comes at the cost of expanding the strike zone too much. Similarly, they traded for Jesús Rodríguez in a five-player deal that sent Camilo Doval to the New York Yankees. Rodríguez has a knack for barreling up pitches and above-average bat-to-ball skills. The Giants want him to handle catching, but are testing him out at second base as well.

Contact is an area where the Giants should see improvement. In addition to Arráez, Jung Hoo Lee had one of the best in-zone contact rates in 2025 at 92.2 percent. When they swing the bat, they will make contact more often than not.

The lineup still has plenty of swing-and-miss to it as well. Matt Chapman, Willy Adames, Rafael Devers, Harrison Bader, and Heliot Ramos will all likely post strikeout rates north of 20 percent. The same is true for Bryce Eldridge if he makes the team.

Patrick Bailey had a high strikeout rate at 29.4 percent last season, which is too high given the lack of offense that he provides. He would seemingly benefit from putting the ball in play more often, which is much easier said than done.

Will this improved strikeout rate carry over into the regular season? It is hard to put any weight into spring training stats, but this is a promising sign for a front office that has made contact a clear priority for its hitters.