Organizational Depth Charts: First Base

The Giants clearly hope Rafael Devers and Bryce Eldridge lock down first base and designated hitter for the next 6-8 years.  The only question is when Eldridge takes his place in the tandem and of course there is no such thing as a can't miss prospect and Eldridge is still a prospect.   If everything goes as planned, organizational depth at first base is essentially a moot issue. 

MLB:

Rafael Devers:  Like it or not, for better or worse, Rafael Devers and the Giants fortunes are now tied to each other for the next eight seasons.  On the plus side, Devers is one of the best hitters in the game and comes at a reasonable price by today's standards.  On the other hand, eight years is a long, long time.  At this point it seems clear that playing first base is going to be part of Devers job description which creates an inneresting situation because that's the position top prospect, Bryce Eldridge, plays.  For now, the stated plan is for them to divide first base and DH.  From an aesthetic standpoint it seems less than ideal for both your 1B/DH and top two power hitters bat from the same side but it might just work since the next 3 best hitters, Adames, Chapman and Ramos all bat righthanded.  

One of the more interesting subplots to the 2025 season was watching a bewildered Devers come in looking like he didn't know what hit him and playing baseball was the last place on Earth he wanted to be then progressing to look like he was actually having fun out there.  He seemed to be nursing some sort of muscular injury when he first arrived and when he first started playing first base I held my breath on every play wondering if he was going to collapse in a heap and be done for the season.  Instead, he seemed to pick up the basics of the position quite quickly and by the end of the season was making some athletic plays that made me remember he was a third baseman not that long ago.  With an offseason and spring training to polish his defensive game I can visualize him becoming a plus fielder at the position.

Bryce Eldridge:  In 2024, Eldridge emerged as the top prospect in the organization and did nothing to diminish that designation in 2025.  Personally I would not have added him to the 40-man roster logjam even at the end of the season, but here we are.  Eldridge got his cup of coffee and maybe it will pay off with accelerating his development.  While the numbers were not impressive, he did not look nearly as wide-eyed as Brandon Belt in 2011.  He appears to already have feel for the strike zone and didn't swing at a lot of bad pitches, yet was also not afraid to swing with authority at good pitches.  It appears to be just a matter of time until some of the near-misses turn into splash hits.  He also seemed surprisingly nimble around first base.  While his future success as a major league power hitter is far from assured it seems the only remaining question is when, not if, he takes his place as the co-1B/DH with Devers.  

Jerar Encarnacion:  The Giants had high hopes for Jerar going into last season only to have it lost to a series of injuries.  He's out of options and will need to stay healthy and have an impressive spring to win a roster spot.  He can play a passable RF but is also a right handed option at first base if Eldridge isn't quite ready.

AAA:  

None:  Drew Ellis is listed on the Sacramento River Cats roster and he played a little first base but he batted just .208 and I think he's a minor league free agent.

AA:  

None:  Sabin Ceballos played a little first base but is mostly 3B and struggled at the plate most of the season.

A+:

Parks Harber:  Intriguing player who came over from the Yankees in the Doval trade.  Listed as 3B but also played first.  Big kid at 6' 3", 225 lbs.  Bats right.  scored an assignment to the Arizona Fall League. Raked every place he's played.

Charlie Szykowny:  We've talked a lot about Szykowny.  He had a power breakout in 2025.  The challenge of AA awaits.

A:  

Robert Hipwell:  Drafted as a 3B but now mostly plays 1B.  3-true outcome stat pattern with low BA, high OBP and a 30% K rate.  Appears to need work on defense.

Jeremiah Jenkins:  Tall lefty first baseman.  Got a late start on the season apparently due to injury.  Has shown flashes of power in limited playing time.

ACL:

Angel Guzman: Small for a first baseman with a disappointing batting line in the ACL after two DSL seasons.  2025 was his age 19 season.

Jesus Alexander:  Listed as a catcher but now plays almost exclusively first base.  Hits for average but so far little power.

DSL:

Evan Estevez:  Completed two pro seasons before his 18'th birthday.  Has shown early ability to hit for both average and power.

Fernando Pena: Another catcher who moved to a lower defensive position.  Decent batting line in age 18 season.  

Franco Willias:  Old for the DSL at age 20 but only 2 pro seasons so still has time to develop.  Shows some power and speed.

Comment:  The big question facing Buster Posey and Zach Minasian this offseason is whether they are ready to put their faith in Bryce Eldridge from Opening Day.  If so, they need a righthanded bat off the bench who can play the Wilmer Flores role, maybe even re-sign Wilmer?  If they feel Eldridge needs more seasoning they need to a credible DH/1B to split the two roles with Devers.  If that is the case it seems like their best bet is to re-sign Dom Smith who played a stabilizing role after joining the 2025 team.