The San Francisco Giants have no shortage of offseason needs - rotation depth, bullpen reinforcements, and outfield help are all on the table. But while the front office scans the market, the path to real progress might just come from within. That’s where newly hired manager Tony Vitello steps in.
Vitello, known for transforming Tennessee’s baseball program into a powerhouse, brings a player development mindset that could be a game-changer in San Francisco. The Giants have a few young names who’ve already gotten a taste of big-league action - now it’s time for them to take the next step. If they do, it could shift the club’s trajectory in a big way heading into 2026.
Let’s break down three young players who could be difference-makers if they level up next season.
Bryce Eldridge: Power Potential Waiting to Click
The Giants have some flexibility at first base, especially after landing Rafael Devers from Boston. Devers can rotate between DH and first, giving the team options.
But the long-term vision? It has Bryce Eldridge written all over it.
Eldridge spent 2025 climbing the ladder from Double-A to Triple-A, and the numbers show a developing bat with legitimate pop. In Triple-A, he posted a .249/.314/.514 slash line, good for an .828 OPS and a 105 wRC+.
What jumps off the page are his underlying metrics: a hard-hit rate in the 98th percentile and a barrel rate in the 96th. That’s elite territory.
He’s not just a power guy - he uses the whole field and has the kind of swing that can wear out the gaps.
But the swing-and-miss is still a concern. His chase rate has hovered around 28%, and in a brief MLB stint (just 37 plate appearances), he struck out 13 times - that’s a 35.1% K rate, paired with a .107 average and a .476 OPS. It’s a small sample, but it underscores where the work needs to happen.
Eldridge has the tools to be a middle-of-the-order bat. If Vitello and the staff can help him tighten up his approach and cut down on the chase, there’s a real chance he becomes a cornerstone in the lineup.
Hayden Birdsong or Carson Whisenhunt: One Needs to Break Through
The Giants are expected to pursue pitching help this offseason - whether it’s a splashy name like Tatsuya Imai or a more cost-effective option with upside. But no matter who they bring in, the internal development of Hayden Birdsong and Carson Whisenhunt might be just as important.
Birdsong got extended run in the majors this season, tossing 65.2 innings in his second year with the big club. His 4.80 ERA and 4.96 FIP don’t jump off the page, and a 1.49 WHIP shows he allowed a few too many baserunners.
Still, there’s something to build on. His fastball velocity and swing-and-miss stuff are legit, and while his strikeout rate dipped from 27.9% in 2024 to 22.8% this year, he did improve his walk rate - a sign of better command.
If he can sharpen his secondary pitches, he could become a reliable mid-rotation arm.
Then there’s Whisenhunt, who spent most of the year in Triple-A. His ERA (4.43) and WHIP (1.37) were solid, and the most encouraging stat was a nearly 4% drop in walk rate.
That shows growth in command - a critical step for any young starter. His strikeout rate did take a hit, dropping by 7.5%, but he still excels at getting hitters to chase outside the zone.
At just 25, there’s plenty of runway left. If he can find a little more swing-and-miss without sacrificing control, he could slot in nicely at the back of the rotation - with upside for more.
Vitello’s track record with young arms at Tennessee speaks for itself. If he can help either Birdsong or Whisenhunt take the leap, the Giants’ rotation could look a whole lot deeper in 2026.
Drew Gilbert: Energy, Defense, and Untapped Offensive Upside
The Giants could go big on a free agent outfielder - someone like Cody Bellinger would certainly fit the bill - but that’s far from a guarantee. What they do have is a high-energy, high-upside option already in the building: Drew Gilbert.
Gilbert brings a spark to the dugout that’s hard to quantify, but easy to see. He plays with fire, celebrates big moments, and brings a level of intensity that can loosen up a clubhouse. That’s not nothing - especially over a 162-game grind.
The profile at the plate is intriguing. Gilbert doesn’t chase, doesn’t whiff much, and keeps his strikeouts in check.
He knows how to work a walk and has a knack for pulling the ball with purpose. His hard contact numbers are average, but there’s enough there to believe he can be an effective hitter.
His first 109 plate appearances in the majors were rocky - a .190 average, .598 OPS, and a 66 wRC+ - but that’s not unusual for a young hitter adjusting to top-tier pitching. Defensively, he saw time in both right and center field, with better results in center. That versatility gives the Giants options, especially if they’re trying to mix and match in the outfield.
One key detail: Gilbert played under Vitello at Tennessee. That familiarity could be a major asset. If anyone knows how to unlock his game, it’s Vitello - and that connection could be the edge Gilbert needs to take the next step.
The Bigger Picture
The Giants will almost certainly make moves this winter. But the real difference between a team treading water and one pushing for October could come down to internal growth. Bryce Eldridge, Hayden Birdsong, Carson Whisenhunt, and Drew Gilbert aren’t just prospects anymore - they’re players on the cusp of real impact.
With Tony Vitello now at the helm, the Giants have a manager who knows how to nurture talent and get the most out of his players. If he can do that here, 2026 could be the year San Francisco’s youth movement starts paying off in a big way.