Bold statement: A single wrist surgery could ripple through the Giants’ plans this season, revealing how thin their depth at second base truly is.
The Giants announced that Casey Schmitt underwent surgery this morning to remove a carpal boss from his left wrist and will miss eight to ten weeks in recovery. If recovery goes smoothly, he should have enough time to ramp up for Opening Day, but the window could shrink if healing hits any snags.
This news comes on the heels of reports that San Francisco is exploring upgrades at second base. The position was a clear problem area in 2025, with the collective batting line for Giants’ second basemen at .217/.273/.343, for a 73 wRC+ — 27% below league average and 27th in MLB.
Last season, the Giants gave reps at second to Casey Schmitt, Tyler Fitzgerald, Christian Koss, and Brett Wisely. None delivered strong offensive numbers at the keystone, though Schmitt posted a solid overall line of .234/.305/.401 (98 wRC+), which was slightly below average but respectable. Including 113 plate appearances in 2024, Schmitt has shown he can contribute offensively over a two-year span, hitting .241/.300/.420 with 18 homers in 461 plate appearances.
As things stand, Schmitt sits atop San Francisco’s depth chart at second base. Fitzgerald and Koss remain in the organization, while Wisely was claimed by Atlanta in September and remains on the Braves’ 40-man roster.
There isn’t a top internal prospect pushing Schmitt for the job. Gavin Kilen, Josuar Gonzalez, and Jhonny Level play middle infield, but none are expected to be MLB-ready for 2026. The Giants have long been a candidate to add help at second base, but their reluctance to commit long-term on starting pitching this offseason complicates any pursuit of a premier free agent like Bo Bichette. Free-agent options include Jorge Polanco and Ha-Seong Kim, while trade targets could involve Brandon Lowe, Brendan Donovan, CJ Abrams, or buy-low candidates like Nolan Gorman and Luisangel Acuña.
For now, Schmitt remains the best internal option, but his injury highlights the Giants’ need at second base. If the club pursues outside help, Schmitt could still contribute—he’s versatile enough to handle all three infield spots to the left of first base, possesses decent speed and a strong throwing arm, and offers value as a utility piece. He also has a minor league option remaining, providing roster flexibility to send him to Triple-A Sacramento and recall him if needed due to injuries elsewhere. The Giants control Schmitt for at least four more seasons, potentially five if time spent in the minors doesn’t exhaust his option year.
What’s your take on the Giants’ approach at second base this winter? Is adding external help the best path, or should Schmitt be given more time to prove himself in 2026? Share your thoughts in the comments.
