Casey Schmitt offers some significant upside on both sides of the ball at second base for the 2026 San Francisco Giants. The team’s best option there might already be in-house.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – SEPTEMBER 27: Casey Schmitt #10 of the San Francisco Giants leaves the field after hitting a home run during the game between the Colorado Rockies and the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park on Saturday, September 27, 2025 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Kavin Mistry/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
As we inch closer to the start of spring training, we have yet to see the San Francisco Giants make a real splash via free agency or trade. Outside of some small bullpen additions and bolstering the backend of their rotation, it’s been quiet.
It has been clear, however, that there’s a significant amount of interest in finding an upgrade at second base for Buster Posey and new manager, Tony Vitello. While right field is arguably the more pressing need, second base comes in at a close number two.
There’s been endless reports about the organizations interest in several second base options, such as Nico Hoerner, Brendan Donovan, and even Ketel Marte earlier in the winter. This was capped off a few days ago when Jeff Passan vocalized the same idea across the baseball community.
When you hear something from Passan, you listen to it. Typically, he reports when a deal is done or close to being finalized. However, in this instance, he was simply letting the world know that the Giants have been extremely aggressive in attempting to find a deal for one of the two second baseman.
Naturally, bringing in one of Hoerner or Donovan would give the Giants one of, if not the, best infield groups across baseball. The caveat is that both of them would take a fairly hefty package to bring to San Francisco.
If San Francisco isn’t willing to part ways with the prospects it’ll take to land one of the two, there’s a more-than-solid option in house. They could get similar offensive output with above average defense from a homegrown infielder who has yet to get a full run at the big-league level.
Enter Schmitt
When you look at Casey Schmitt‘s overall numbers in Major League Baseball, they’re not too encouraging. However, when you dive a little deeper, you find the upside that should make the Giants fairly comfortable with him starting the year as the everyday second baseman.
His 2024 season stands out as his best showing, where he had a 109 wRC+ and 0.4 fWAR in just 40 games. He also hit more home runs (6) in less than half the games he appeared in during his rookie campaign the year prior.
Unfortunately, when you take a peek at this 2025 numbers, it would suggest that he took a step back. The good news is that that didn’t end up being the case.
At the beginning of the season, Schmitt looked noticeably more comfortable at the plate. Swing decisions were vastly improved which resulted in his hard hit rate jumping from 36.1% to 43.8%.
However, it took a Matt Chapman injury for everyday reps to become available for Schmitt and for the next two weeks, he would go ballistic and showcase the potential that lies within the bat. While it appears to be a small sample, he became the team’s best hitter for a significant stretch.
PA
AVG/OBP/SLG
wRC+
HR
OPS
54
.375/.444/.646
206
4
1.090
Casey Schmitt from 6/10-6/25
This run was highlighted by a huge grand slam off of Yoshinobu Yamamoto which won the Giants a series-opening game when they were still in the thick of a divisional race.
Unfortunately, Schmitt’s breakout was cut short due to an IL stint. A nagging left hand injury would keep him out for a few weeks and clearly hamper his production throughout the rest of the season.
Despite some regression towards the end of the season, the 26-year-old still ended the season right around league-average in terms of offensive production.
On the defensive side of things, it’s been an interesting ride. While Schmitt was believed to be an elite, top-of-the-line defender as a prospect, that didn’t necessarily translate during his first year as a second baseman. However, the Giants—along with many across the league—are still confident he can be an above-average defender at virtually any infield position.
Final Thoughts
In an offseason that has been disappointing up to this point, there’s no question that San Francisco needs to do something to keep up with the evil empire in LA. With reports swirling about them being aggressive in the second base market, it’s worth questioning whether that’s the market they need to be tapped into.
The rotation is still projected to be bottom-third in the league and right field is the biggest hole on the diamond. One could argue that the assets they’d be willing to give up—if focused on upgrading the lineup—should be used there.
The main reason, however, is the fact that they may have an affordable, above average option already on the 40-man. If Schmitt can tap into what made him an exciting prospect, the Giants are sitting pretty.
He’s shown the ability to be an above-average bat while defending well enough throughout several flashes in his big-league career. He’d also lengthen a Giants lineup that is widely seen as top-heavy.
Will Buster Posey make a splash on the trade market, or does he trust the upside of Casey Schmitt to contribute to
