The SF Giants’ latest baserunning blunder has put Buster Posey’s “detail” mandate back under the microscope.
When Posey moved on from Bob Melvin, he said he wanted the next manager to be “ obsessive about the details.” He clearly believed Tony Vitello fit that description, but the Giants keep making it hard to see that standard in action, especially once they get on the bases.
The newest example came last night, when Victor Bericoto drifted off the base and seemed unaware of the count or how many outs there were. By the time he realized what had happened, he was picked off and couldn’t get back.
Bericoto said part of his absentmindedness may have been tied to what is going on in his native Venezuela, which is understandable. But that explanation only goes so far for a team that has made a habit of this kind of mistake.
Erm ... not sure what happened here ... pic.twitter.com/zmkFkh1XBa
- Justice delos Santos (@justdelossantos) June 30, 2026
Bericoto isn’t alone. Willy Adames also lost track of the outs while chatting with Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts, and rookie Jonah Cox has recently made the same mistake.
For a club built around the idea of “detail-oriented” baseball, it’s the kind of sloppiness that sticks out in the worst way. The responsibility doesn’t stop with the players, either - Posey, Vitello and the entire coaching staff are all part of it.
The Giants’ baserunning has been tough to watch, and the issues go beyond one runner or one inning. First base coach Shane Robinson, who likely got the job because he was Posey’s Florida State teammate, may not be doing enough to remind runners of the outs, which should be standard.
Or maybe the problem is simpler: too much lackadaisical play, too little urgency, and a clubhouse tone that shows up on the field. However it’s being explained, it has to be corrected.
This roster is not talented enough to keep giving away outs like this. Posey knows better than most that clean baseball can carry a team a long way, even into magical playoff runs.
He has talked about “details” and “clean baseball” throughout his time as an executive. But saying it and actually getting it to happen are two different things.
At some point, Posey may need to address the clubhouse or sit down with the coaching staff and get the problem sorted out. If not, these baserunning mistakes are only going to keep happening.
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