The team has identified its problem spot: first base.
This afternoon, Zack Minasian made the first in-season transaction for the San Francisco Giants. IF Casey Schmitt has been placed on the 10-day IL with a left oblique strain. Taking his spot on the roster is IF David Villar, but in order to make room for him on the 40-man roster, Jerar Encarnacion, still rehabbing following surgery to repair a left hand fracture, was transferred to the 60-day IL.
Villar was one of the last cuts of Spring Training, and the Giants had to place him on waivers to do it as the 28-year old is now out of major league options. In 15 games with the River Cats in 2025, he’s slashing .368/.439/.439 in 66 plate appearances.
He’ll be taking the backup corner infield role Schmitt had occupied and the fit might make a little more sense. In the abstract, Villar is a bit better at the plate, even if he’s much worse as a defender. In practice, though, the Giants might not be any better with Villar over Schmitt. Villar’s line is beefed up by being on base 29 times in 66 plate appearances, but within that, he has just two extra base hits: a homer and a double. He also has 8 walks and 21 singles.
At the same time, it’s clear that the Giants are deeply uncomfortable with their current first baseman/DH situation. If Wilmer Flores plays first, then who’s DH? If he’s DH, then who plays first when there’s a lefty on the mound? LaMonte Wade Jr.’s play to start the season is firmly entrenched in “give him time” territory where we’re wondering if he’s cooked or simply off to a slow start. With Jerar Encarnacion unavailable, Casey Schmitt became the odd compromise position; but now it’s down to Villar, who two years ago showed flashes of being quite capable in this exact role, but who couldn’t repeat that demonstration in 2024.
Meanwhile, Encarnacion was already expected to be out 8 weeks so this transfer doesn’t impede his ability to come back when he’s available. If Villar doesn’t work out, then the Giants won’t be able to outright him to Triple-A again unless he agrees to it. This last time he didn’t have a choice. It’s plausible he starts tomorrow against Yusei Kikuchi.