SF Giants manager tries to put positive spin on uninspiring first base platoon

The SF Giants seem likely to have a platoon at first base in 2025 with Wilmer Flores and LaMonte Wade Jr. Many fans are not thrilled about this platoon, but manager Bob Melvin tried to put a positive spin on it in a recent interview.

Melvin appeared on KNBR recently and was asked about many subjects including the situation at first base. His response can be viewed here.

Bob Melvin puts positive spin on SF Giants first base options

"It looks like (it'll be) the tandem we had going into last season. Unfortunately Wilmer was never healthy enough to do what Wilmer does. Looking forward to him coming back and doing his thing. Both those guys (Flores & LWJ) understand the platoon situation and embrace it," Melvin said on KNBR.

Melvin acknowledges that first base will look pretty much exactly like it did going into 2024. However, he seems to believe that injuries were the main culprit behind why things did not work last season and that things will be better in 2025.

Flores had one of his worst years as a professional in 2024, slashing a dismal .206/.277/.318 with 4 home runs and 26 RBI. That was a far cry from his stellar 2023 season when the veteran slashed .284/.355/.509 with 23 homers and 60 RBI. It would have been wishful thinking to assume Flores could replicate those numbers, but his injuries prevented him from even coming close.

Wade has a respectable year in 2024, slashing .260/.380/.381 with 8 home runs and 34 RBI. His ability to get on base at such a high clip is impressive, but he too has struggled to stay on the field. He appeared in 117 games last season and it is probably fair to assume he will spend at least one or two stints on the IL in 2025.

On paper, if both players can stay relatively healthy they should provide some positive value at first base. Although, our own Jeff Young has argued that relying on them to stay healthy and productive is a risk. At his best, Flores absolutely rakes against lefties and at Wade’s best he gets on base a lot and acts as a table-setter for the rest of the offense. Melvin has even floated having Wade bat leadoff given his high on base percentage.

Rolling with this platoon at first base for one more season is not the worst strategy considering the team’s top prospect, Bryce Eldridge, plays first base. Signing someone like Pete Alonso, even though a reunion with the New York Mets is looking less likely, would probably block Eldridge. Melvin is bullish on Eldridge as well, saying he has a chance to be a star.

Many fans will not love rolling with the same platoon at first base though. While Wade and Flores are both well-liked players, they have a limited ceiling and do not have the potential to be transformative players. They make sense as a stopgap measure while the team waits for Eldridge to develop, but it would be a surprise if either of them has a career year.