Young SF Giants infielders may be on the move after Willy Adames signing

The SF Giants signing shortstop Willy Adames does a lot to solidify the team’s infield. However, it also closes off opportunities for several young infielders in the organization who could be on the move via trade as a result. 

These infielders could include Casey Schmitt, David Villar, and Brett Wisely.

Young SF Giants infielders could be traded due to Adames signing

After the Giants signed Adames, president of baseball operations Buster Posey made it clear that 2024 breakout rookie Tyler Fitzgerald would slide over to second base from shortstop in 2025.

Fitzgerald became the starting shortstop in 2024 thanks to his hot bat during the summer. He slashed .280/.334/.497 with 15 home runs, 34 RBI, and 17 stolen bases on the season. 

While his defense was not abominable, it was clear that he was playing out of position and would probably benefit from playing second base which is a little less demanding. 

That means that third base (Matt Chapman), shortstop (Willy Adames), and second base (Fitzgerald) are all covered going into 2025. Where does that leave Schmitt, Villar, and Wisely?

Both Schmitt and Wisely saw a good amount of playing time in 2024. Wisely had to play a lot of shortstop due to injuries on the team and filled in nicely, hitting the ball well before cooling off later in the year and finishing with a slash line of 238/.278/.345 with 4 home runs and 31 RBI. Schmitt had the inverse of that. He was ice cold when he was first called up but got hot with the bat late in the year, hitting six home runs in just 107 at-bats on the year, and displayed impressive defense along the way.

Villar has been in a state of limbo ever since his demotion to the minors in 2023 after starting the year off as the starting third baseman. He has impressive power as evidenced by his 22 home runs in Triple-A in 2022, but has just not been able to replicate that success in the majors despite a hot streak to end 2022 which earned him the starting job the following season.

Villar and Wisely have experience at first base, but the Giants already have Wilmer Flores and LaMonte Wade Jr. there and top prospect Bryce Eldridge is waiting in the wings. 

Of course, the Giants still need infield depth on their bench. As things currently stand, it would not be surprising if both Schmitt and Wisely made the Opening Day roster given their solid output last year and the fact that both can play at second, third, and short. 

There is also the possibility that one of them could usurp Fitzgerald at second base if he struggles in 2025. Fitzgerald’s bat cooled off significantly late last season so it is possible that one of these players could beat out Fitzgerald for the job by the end of the year. 

But, if Fitzgerald is solid next season and there are no major injuries in the infield, the Giants may feel compelled to shop someone like Schmitt who could be attractive to teams with his strong arm and offensive potential. Villar could be another attractive reclamation project for teams given his power. Wisely would make for an attractive versatile player who does a lot of small things well.

For now, the Giants will probably want to hold on to these young infielders as depth pieces. But if the infield begins to crystalize next season, do not be surprised if San Francisco deals one or more of their young infielders who are now somewhat blocked by the Adames signing.