Giants Organizational Depth Charts: Second Base

 For the second consecutive season, second base was a problematic position for the Giants as the player expected to stabilize the position, Tyler Fitzgerald struggled to make contact and finished the season in AAA purgatory.  Casey Schmitt showed some improvement in plate discipline and power potential but faded in the second half while Christian Koss showed steady improvement in his role as a utility infielder as the season progressed.  Buster Posey and Zach Minasian have a big decision to make:  Do they put their trust in Schmitt and Koss to continue the upward trajectory of their careers or do they go outside the organization to upgrade the position?

MLB:

Casey Schmitt:  Schmitt's first half line was .254/.343/.398, 4 HR in 135 PA's.  His second half line was .227/.282/.402, 8 HR in 213 PA's.  Although his K rate remained about the same as previous years at between 23-24%, his walk rate improved to around 8% but regressed in the second half.  While the power potential is intriguing, there just is not a lot here to create confidence going forward.  

Christian Koss:  Christian Koss's overall numbers were not much different than Casey Schmitt's but he had two really good months and one of them was in September when he hit .310.  The other was in June when he broke out with a .353 BA after struggling the first two months.  In between, he spent July on the IL with a hamstring strain and took awhile to get going after he came back with a .234 BA in August.  Still, the general impression was that he improved his game as the season went along and seemed to thrive with more playing time.  He will almost certainly stick around as a utility infielder but can he progress to a starting gig at 2B?  

Tyler Fitzgerald:  To say 2025 was a disappointing season for Tyler Fitzgerald is an understatement.  He entered the season as the starting second baseman but K rates approaching 30% took their toll and he found himself optioned out to Sacramento.  He returned several times to fill in for injuries but did not appear in any MLB games after 8/22.  At this point he appears to be a lot closer to a DFA than to reclaiming a MLB role.  

AAA:  

Dayson Croes:  Signed out of indy ball at age 26 after a collegiate career at Quincy University in Illinois.  Where?  He's raked everywhere he's played and proceeded to hit .300 across 4 levels in his first season of affiliated ball.  He's now listed on AAA Sacramento roster.  He's a lefty bat.  If he continues to hit there is a great chance we see him in The Show sometime in 2026.

AA: 

Nate Furman:  Acquired from the Guardians for Alex Cobb in late August of 2024.  Got a late start on 2025 but batted .369 across 4 levels.  Showed a little pop with 7 HR in 227 PA.   Rule 5 Draft eligible in November.

Diego Velasquez:  International bonus baby in 2021 signed as a shortstop.  Good contact hitter but power failed to develop.  Played exclusively 2B in 2025 which really puts a dent in his value.  Rule 5 eligible in November.

A+:

Jean Carlos Sio:  Batted .304/.395/.422, 8 HR, 18 SB across two levels in 2025.  11% walk rate with 13.4% K rate.  Not Rule 5 eligible until Dec 2027.  Sleeper in the system.

Quinn McDaniel:  Nice power and speed combo but K rates near 30% continue to drag down his overall value.

A:  

Gavin Kilen:  First round draft pick from 2025.  Drafted as a SS but future is likely at 2B.  Appeared in just 10 pro games for A San Jose and batted just .205 before an injury ended his season.  Maybe just a blip in his pro career but that's not what you want to see from your top draft pick in their pro debut.

ACL:  

None

DSL:  

Yosneiker Rivas:  Batted .315/.412/.462 in his third DSL season at age 19.  

Yulian Barreto:  .322/.449/.394 9 SB, 15.9 BB%, 14.5 K% in his first pro season at age 17. 

Comment:  Second Base is a potential position for upgrade this offseason.  Some potential free agent names include Jorge Polanco, Luis Rengifo and Gleyber Torres.  Polanco and Torres will be pricey.  Rengifo is coming off a down season and would likely accept a 1 year contract but Oracle Park would likely be a deterrent.  Isiaiah Kiner-Falefa is a multi-positional player the Giants reportedly had interest in at the trade deadline.  A lot depends on how much Buster has to spend on upgrading the pitching which is a much higher priority.