For the third consecutive season, the Giants missed out on October baseball. San Francisco went 80-82 despite a flashy offseason that saw the Giants add two former Cy Young winners and several big bats. Now, the Giants will look towards 2025 with a new front office but will still have deal with the big powers of the NL West. Here’s our recap of the Giants’ 2024 season.
The Offense
| Stat | Number | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Runs Scored | 693 | 17th |
| Home Runs | 177 | t-16th |
| OPS | .701 | 19th |
| Whiff% | 25.0% | 18th |
| Hard Hit% | 39.7% | 11th |
The Pitching
| Stat | Number | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Starters’ ERA | 4.22 | 18th |
| Relievers’ ERA | 3.96 | 15th |
| Strikeouts | 1,436 | 7th |
| Whiff% | 25.4% | 15th |
| Chase% | 28.0% | 22nd |
The Good
The Giants were the beneficiaries of last year’s free agency, despite coming up short on the Shohei Ohtani chase. Amidst lighter-than-expected demand on several key free agents, San Francisco landed two big fish in Blake Snell and Matt Chapman. Both were among the Giants’ best performers in 2024.
For Chapman, he put numbers we’ve become accustomed to from the 2014 first-round pick. Chapman hit .247/.328/.463 with 27 home runs and 68 extra-base hits. He hit for power and was an exceptional defender yet again, as Chapman earned his fifth Gold Glove.
The Giants ultimately re-signed Chapman in the summer, a six-year extension that nullifed any opportunity for him to opt out this winter. However, the pretenses of the extension were a sign of things to come in San Francisco. Buster Posey, the now-president of baseball operations, bypassed Farhan Zaidi, who’s no longer at the helm, to negotiate the deal at the behest of ownership.
As for Snell, it was business as usual for the lefty. Sure, his first half (6.31 ERA, 42 K over 35.2 IP) wasn’t impressive, as the reigning Cy Young winner struggled after a late start. But in the second half, Snell led all pitchers in strikeouts (103) and ERA (1.45 ERA, min. 50 IP) in what was a dominant showcase for this winter.
This version of Snell was slightly different compared to the 2023 version. Yes, Snell still had incredible swing-and-miss stuff. However, the lefty attacked the zone more and actually increased his Chase% by almost four percent. The walks are part of his game. But, so is his lethal cureveball and high-carry (18.7″ IVB) fastball.
Snell tandemed with Logan Webb to form a fearsome 1-2 combination atop the Giants’ rotation. Webb threw over 200 innings for the second straight year and posted his best FIP (2.95) in three seasons.
San Francisco’s bullpen was (mostly) good, thanks in large part to depth. Tyler and Taylor Rogers were effective, as was former Phillie prospect Erik Miller. Ryan Walker, though, took the biggest step forward.
Walker was largely used as an opener and middle relief option in 2023 but took charge of the closer’s role after Camilo Doval‘s struggles. The 28-year-old notched 10 wins, saved 10 games, and struck out 99 over 80 frames in 2024. Given how effective he was in 2024, Walker will likely be the team’s closer again in 2025.
Getting back to the offense, two youngsters broke out in 2024: Heliot Ramos and Tyler Fitzgerald. Both were former top prospects who could have been considered written-off names before last season. That changed this past season.
Ramos turned in an exceptional power-hitting performance in 2024. The former first-round pick hit 22 home runs and a 14.5% Barrel%. Ramos turned that into an NL All-Star nomination and the only downside to last season for him was subpar play (-7 OAA) in center.
Fitzgerald, meanwhile, went off in July and hit .321 (1.239 OPS) with eight home runs. In total, Fitzgerald hit 15 home runs and stole 17 bases. He played all across the diamond for San Francisco but mostly at short (67 starts at short). That, however, will likely change in 2025.
The Bad
As noted earlier, Camilo Doval had problems on the mound. Doval produced two great seasons as the Giants’ closer in 2022-23. However, his command problems caught up to him in a big way last year. Doval walked 29 over 44 innings before he earned a demotion to Triple-A Sacramento.
Per reports, the Giants are listening on trade offers for Doval this winter.
The Giants also had problems at times filling out their rotation. Keaton Winn (7.16 ERA) couldn’t give the Giants innings needed. Jordan Hicks pitched well in the rotation early after the Giants gave him a hefty deal last winter to fill a starting role. However, his stuff didn’t hold up as well. His fastball velocity dropped two MPH between March and July and was ultimately moved back to the bullpen.
However, the Giants’ offensive depth was arguably the main reason why San Francisco couldn’t finish with more than 80 games.
Jung Hoo Lee played just 37 games thanks to shoulder surgery, a big blow after the Giants signed him to be a key contributor last winter. Thairo Estrada, who hit 28 home runs between 2022-23, was demoted last season to Sacramento after 96 games. He hit .217/.247/.343 with nine home runs. Patrick Bailey, a defensive specialist, had a .637 OPS.
The Giants went 16-23 against the three powerhouses — the Diamondbacks, Dodgers, and Padres — of the NL West.
Early Projected Lineup for 2025
- C: Patrick Bailey
- 1B: LaMonte Wade Jr.
- 2B: Tyler Fitzgerald
- 3B: Matt Chapman
- SS: (FA Addition)
- OF: Heliot Ramos (LF), Jung Hoo Lee (CF), Mike Yastrzemski (RF)
- DH: Marco Luciano
- SP: Logan Webb, Robbie Ray, Kyle Harrison, Hayden Birdsong, (FA Addition)
- RP: Ryan Walker, Jordan Hicks, Erik Miller, Taylor Rogers, Tyler Rogers, Sean Hjelle, Camilo Doval, Randy Rodriguez
New president of baseball operations Buster Posey stated in November that a shortstop is a priority for the Giants this winter. San Francisco appears to like Tyler Fitzgerald, their primary shortstop, at second base. Fitzgerald has great speed, perfect for a middle infield spot. But, subpar arm strength (31st percentile).
It also means Marco Luciano, a shortstop in the Minors but a player with fringe range at the position, also won’t be an option.
However, how the Giants will do this remains to be seen.
The Giants are reportedly looking to scale back payroll this winter, noteworthy for several reasons. One, the Giants were above the tax threshold per Spotrac, meaning San Francisco will pay a penalty this winter. Which means second, the Giants may not be able to pick up a big name in a free agent market where several talented bats are available.
Not only could the Giants use a shortstop but also depth in the rotation. San Francisco does have prospects (Mason Black, Carson Whisenhunt) knocking on the door, who could take over a rotation spot come early next season if the Giants don’t add anyone else notable.