Victor Bericoto gave the Giants plenty to think about in 2026. He showed real juice, flashed clutch power, and reminded everyone why San Francisco was willing to move on from Heliot Ramos after getting a look at what Bericoto could do. But the bigger question now is the same one that followed him all season: can he get on base enough to matter?
The power was never in doubt. Bericoto delivered a mammoth walk-off homer that showed just how far the ball can travel off his bat, and he also turned in a strong showing after the trade and after returning from injury. Against Los Angeles Dodgers ace Tarik Skubal, he went 3-for-6 with a double, a home run and a walk, the kind of stretch that can make a front office sit up and take notice.
That wasn’t a one-off burst, either. Bericoto had already earned attention in spring training, when he won the Barney Nugent Award, typically given to a young standout in Scottsdale. He kept raking in the minors, which eventually pushed him to the big leagues in May.
Once he arrived, there were more bright spots. His solo home run against the Milwaukee Brewers helped seal a 1-0 San Francisco win, and at times he showed a really strong arm in the outfield.
For a 24-year-old rookie, the overall line - .241/.267/.420 with five home runs and 15 runs batted in - is solid enough. But the Giants will need more than solid if he’s going to be part of the solution next year.
The rough edges were there too. Bericoto had some puzzling defensive miscues and even lost track of the number of outs on the bases, moments that made him look like a Little Leaguer on occasion.
That kind of sloppiness is hard to ignore, especially when it brings back memories of some of Ramos’ lower moments with the Giants. The hope is that he grows out of those mistakes.
Plate discipline may be the biggest hurdle of all. Bericoto struck out 32 times and drew only four walks, a swing-happy profile that leaves him vulnerable. He’s never going to be Brandon Belt at the plate, but even a little more selectivity would go a long way.
So what comes next? Bericoto should have some kind of role with the Giants in 2027.
He could open the year as part of a platoon with Bo Davidson in left field, and if he ever makes the kind of Ramos-like breakout he’d need to become an everyday player, that would change the picture quickly. Even if that doesn’t happen, he still looks like a useful bench bat - the kind of guy you can call on late for a pinch-hit swing that might leave the yard.
He also brings some defensive flexibility, since he can handle both corner outfield spots and first base. That kind of versatility can matter over the course of a season.
There’s no guarantee Bericoto becomes a major part of the Giants’ plans, but he showed enough in 2026 to earn another look. The talent is there. Now he has to clean up the mental mistakes and reach base more often if he wants to stick.
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