Slugger from Sacramento can fill an overlooked need for SF Giants

The SF Giants have a clear need for pitching this offseason, but one need that has been under-discussed is the need for a first baseman or designated hitter. Perhaps Sacramento native Rhys Hoskins could fill this need.

The Giants will enter 2026 with Rafael Devers being either their Opening Day first baseman or DH. He looked comfortable in both roles last year so he could potentially be used interchangeably at those two spots in the lineup.

SF Giants can add Rhys Hoskins to fill overlooked need

Top prospect Bryce Eldridge was promoted late in the season and hit the ball hard when he made contact but he only had three hits in 28 at-bats. Perhaps the Giants will have him on the Opening Day roster, but he may need more seasoning or maybe he could be a trade chip.

San Francisco was fortunate enough to have Dominic Smith on the team last season who played great defensively at first base and was one of the team's best hitters for stretches. While the Giants would love to have Smith back, he may rather go somewhere where he has a more clearly defined role that is not contingent on prospects hitting poorly in the minors.

That is where Hoskins could come into play. In 2025 with the Milwaukee Brewers he slashed .237/.332/.416 with 12 home runs and 43 runs batted in. He has always been a potent power threat since his days with the Philadelphia Phillies and he may be more amenable to a role where he may be taking whatever spot of the order Devers doesn't fill between first base and DH.

The Giants would probably be wise to sign Hoskins to a one-year deal just in case Eldridge does get hot and forces the Giants to put him in the lineup every day. In that case, the Giants could still trade Hoskins at the deadline.

We do not know how the giants are viewing Eldridge going into next year which is what all of this would depend on. If they are confident in him, then they would probably not sign Hoskins. But if there is any doubt about Eldridge or his ability to be a solid hitter in 2026 then they need to have some sort of backup plan.

If the Giants do want some insurance, Hoskins makes sense as a right-handed bat who grew up not too far from San Francisco and could help the team fill a spot in the order especially if they are not able to get Smith back.