A Review Of The Season So Far

The 2026 Giants remind me of a riddle. Not an easy, fun riddle like “what gets bigger the more you take away” (a hole), but a riddle more akin to the type of puzzle that would be found in an Indiana Jones or Saw movie.

No matter how hard I try, no matter how many games I watch, I just can’t seem to figure this team out. As of writing, we are 16 games into the 2026 season, and the Giants have a slightly disappointing record of 6-10, putting them in 4th place in the National League West. However, it goes far deeper than just the record. So let’s get into it, starting with the biggest question mark entering the year: Tony Vitello.

The Manager

Vitello, the first-ever big league manager to be hired with no MLB experience, has been full of surprises through the opening act in the baseball season.

The first and most apparent one is his openness; while most managers prefer to keep clubhouse business to the clubhouse, Vitello has been airing out all the dirty laundry at postgame pressers. It began when, after an incredibly rough start to the season where the team only scored one run in three games, Vitello said he thought he got the team too amped up because of the speech he gave.

To say the statement shocked and confused fans and analysts alike would be an understatement. However, just a couple of games later, Vitello revealed the team had some clubhouse drama.

Soon, Vitello’s discussion of what’s been going on behind the scenes became more of a regular occurrence. While I don’t think he will maintain this level of informality (such as discussing locker-room drama), Vitello ushers in a new age where managers are more open and honest about what’s going on behind the scenes. Whether that is good or bad, only time will tell.

Another comment on Vitello’s management has been his use of the bench and bullpen. Considering we are 16 games into the year, Vitello has only used 13 players offensively, and four of those players have less than 10 at-bats.

While I am not the biggest fan of constantly platooning, playing the matchup, especially in games when the team is down late, is a strategy Vitello is significantly underutilizing. Additionally, it almost feels like Vitello is spinning a wheel to determine which bullpen arm comes in when. I’m sure part of this is because in a bullpen full of question marks (which we’ll discuss later), Vitello is looking for the standout guys.

However, the impacts of inconsistent reliever use are far-reaching — one notable example is how it affects the mentality of relievers. Overall, some growing pains are expected from a manager with unprecedented inexperience. And yes, sometimes it feels like it was the wrong move, but we are only 16 games into a 162-game season, and I think Vitello will be just fine.

The Hitters

Next, let’s discuss the hitting. The team is dead last in home runs and walks, second to last in runs, and fourth to last in OPS. Oof. Additionally, the Giants are in the 3rd percentile for team barrel rate, xSLG, and xwOBA.

That stings. Suffice to say, the hitting has not been sniffing the expectations of a team with the likes of Rafael Devers, Willy Adames, Luis Arraez, and Matt Chapman. The main problem with the offense hasn’t actually been the top of the order (although they haven’t exactly performed), but the rest of the team. Jung Ho Lee, Patrick Baily, and Harrison Bader are all key starters batting below .200.

In general, even when batters get on base, the Giants have struggled to get them home. These are the same issues that have plagued the Giants for the past five years, and, ignoring the 2021 season, the past decade or so. Sure, Oracle Park isn’t known to help hitters, but the Giants’ numbers just don’t cut it for a team looking for a playoff spot, and there’s no other way to say it. Part of it is on the hitting coaches, but in reality, unless the players can step up, nothing will change. 

The Pitchers

In terms of pitching, most stats put the Giants somewhere near the middle of the pack. However, a gander at the underlying numbers will be enough to give any fan a heart attack. The Giants have the highest barrel rate and hard hit rate, along with the highest xSLG and xwOBA. Hard hit rate is a stat that measures what percentage of balls are hit 95mph or higher — the Giants’ rate is 45.2%.

That means that out of every 100 pitches the Giants throw, roughly 45 of them are absolutely smoked. All the other numbers corroborate that story. Basically, other guys hit the ball hard against the Giants. Very hard. Logan Webb is still eating innings, yet in his four starts, he has conceded three or more runs three times, leading to a shockingly high 5.25 ERA.

Both Robby Ray and Landon Roupp have held strong, boasting ERAs of 2.08 and 3.24, respectively. In the bullpen, no one has emerged as a clear go-to guy. JT Brubaker and Matt Gage have taken the lead, yet they only have a couple more innings pitched than the guys at the back end. Vitello seems to be pressing buttons and seeing who can step up, and no clear answer has come out yet. In general, while pitching has been mediocre with scary underlying numbers, I think in a couple more starts, once everyone’s in their groove, things will look up. 

How Much Really Is 16 Games?

Sixteen games is both a monumental number and absolutely meaningless, depending on what philosophical approach you take to the season. Some say that April games are just the warmup, the growing pains of the season still making themselves felt. Others believe a strong start can lead to a strong season.

Personally, I’m a believer that the second half matters much more — oftentimes, teams that are red hot to start fizzle while teams that get on an August run make the playoffs (see 2025 Mets and Blue Jays for examples).  But that doesn’t mean 16 games is nothing. The team has looked like it could settle for another season of mediocrity, but at this point, anything can happen. Rumors are beginning to circulate that star prospect Bryce Eldridge might be called up, but I think both Posey and Vitello will be hesitant to rush him. So far, we’ve seen a whole lotta meh, but there is always hope.