Imagine having so many talented players at one position that it becomes a logistical puzzle! That's precisely the situation the San Francisco Giants find themselves in with their overflowing stable of young, promising shortstops. But is it a blessing or a potential roster bottleneck? Let's dive into the Giants' shortstop surplus and explore the team's strategy.
Want to stay updated on all the latest Bay Area sports news? Sign up for the Section 415 email newsletter here (https://sfstandard.com/newsletters/?newsletters=Section%20415%20and%20Sports%20Updates) and subscribe to the “Section 415” podcast wherever you listen (https://sfstandard.com/2025/10/01/introducing-section-415-our-bay-area-sports-podcast/?utmsource=nativeshare&utmmedium=sitebuttons&utmcampaign=sitebuttons).
Shortstops are often regarded as the athletes of the infield. Their roles demand agility, a strong arm, and leadership qualities. They are typically the field generals, directing traffic and making crucial plays. It’s no wonder teams covet players who can excel at this demanding position, and the Giants are no exception.
In fact, the Giants have been actively accumulating shortstop talent. Their latest acquisition is Luis Hernández, a 17-year-old Venezuelan sensation. Hernández officially joined the Giants' organization on MLB’s international signing day, inking his deal at the Felipe Alou Baseball Academy in the Dominican Republic.
Hernández isn't just another prospect; he’s considered a top-tier talent. The Giants awarded him a hefty $5 million signing bonus, reflecting his status as one of the most sought-after international players. Widely regarded as the best prospect in Latin America, his maturity and athleticism belie his young age. That bonus was the largest given out by any team on international signing day. This echoes their strategy from the previous year when they signed Josuar Gonzalez, another highly touted shortstop, for nearly $3 million.
“I don’t know if we can make this a habit – it’s a tough market, but we’re going to try,” said Joe Salermo, the Giants’ senior director of international scouting. His team scouts international talent years in advance, having scouted Gonzalez since he was 13 and Hernandez since he was 12. “We’re having meetings as we speak to set up the board for 2027, and hopefully we can surprise you next year with some top talent.”
It's important to remember that these young players are still developing. While the bonuses are significant, patience is crucial. Hernández, for example, is the age of a high school junior. The Giants will likely place him in the Dominican Summer League for the 2026 season, following a similar path to Gonzalez. But here's where it gets interesting... Salermo envisions a future where both players are playing stateside together. The final say rests with the Giants' player development staff, including figures like Buster Posey and Zack Minasian, but the prospect is certainly exciting.
“I hope that he goes the nontraditional way and goes right to the USA,” Salermo stated regarding Hernández. “It would be an exciting time, a fun time, to see Josuar and Hernández on the same field – one playing second, one playing short, another day flip-flopping.”
Adding to the shortstop depth chart is Gavin Kilen, the Giants’ top draft pick from July. Kilen, selected 13th overall, played under Tony Vitello at Tennessee. Jhonny Level, the crown jewel of the Giants' 2024 international class, also calls shortstop his primary position.
“The number of shortstops from A ball down, it’ll probably be hard for any team to match what we have,” said Kyle Haines, the Giants’ senior director of player development. “We’ve got to be one of the strongest groups, if not the strongest, in baseball right now.”
The challenge, however, lies in finding playing time for everyone. Gonzalez spent the previous season at shortstop in the Dominican Summer League, while Level showcased his skills at short in San Jose after being promoted from the Arizona Complex League. Kilen also saw action at both shortstop and second base for San Jose late in the season.
Other shortstops in the system include Maui Ahuna (fourth round, 2023 draft), another Tennessee product, and Walker Martin (second round, 2023). Martin split his time between shortstop and third base in San Jose.
- How Luis Hernandez, Josuar Gonzalez can help Giants make up for swings and misses
- The Giants keep adding, but they could still use a big offseason splash
- Section 415: Previewing major 2026 storylines for each Bay Area team
Lorenzo Meola (fourth round, 2025) and Zane Zielinski (ninth round, 2024) are other shortstops in the lower levels. Zielinski, who played at High A Eugene last year, is considered the most defensively polished of the group, although his offensive game needs further development. And this is the part most people miss... this wealth of talent could become valuable trade bait.
The Giants' abundance of shortstops provides them with significant depth and, potentially, valuable trade assets to bolster their major-league roster. But here's where it gets controversial... Can you really have too much of a good thing? Some argue that focusing on developing players at multiple positions is key, while others believe that specializing in one position allows for maximum development.
Salermo expressed confidence in the defensive abilities of Gonzalez and Hernández, stating, “Some believe Level can stay at shortstop, and some say he might not, but I think everyone believes 100% that Josuar and Hernández can stay at short.”
Given the limited number of shortstop positions available, it's unlikely that all these prospects will remain exclusively at shortstop. All will play shortstop in 2026, but all are expected to play at least one other position to increase their versatility and value and improve their chances to climb up the minor-league ladder. The Giants plan to develop them at multiple positions to increase their versatility and value, increasing their chances of reaching the majors.
“It’s a good problem to have,” Haines acknowledged. “You never want the problem of not having enough good shortstops. It raises the bar and the competition instead of telling someone, ‘You’re the shortstop’ and having no one challenging. If we’re going to win (in the big leagues), we’re going to win with pitching and defense, and defense starts with the catcher and shortstop. It’s hard to win without a plus catcher and plus shortstop. Then you go into center field as well.”
While the Giants have depth at shortstop in the lower levels, their major-league shortstop, Willy Adames, is under contract through 2031. The Giants’ international bonus pool was relatively tiny, $5.44 million, after $1 million was forfeited as a result of the Adames signing based on the fact he rejected a qualifying offer. All but $400,000 went to Hernández, a 5-foot-9, 175-pounder who played 104 games in an advanced Venezuelan league (Liga Mayor de Béisbol Profesional) and hit .346 with a .386 on-base percentage and .452 slugging percentage.
The Giants also announced the signing of Mexican pitcher Alexis Gallego and Venezuelan center fielder Angelo Ugueto.
Stockpiling shortstops is a strategy often employed by the Giants. Brian Sabean, during his tenure as baseball operations chief, frequently drafted shortstops who later transitioned to other positions, such as Joe Panik and Matt Duffy. Even Buster Posey played shortstop in college.
“A good shortstop gives you the best combination of athletic ability, arm strength, footwork, and when combining the total package, you can’t have a weakness because that gets exposed,” Haines explained. “The distance of throws, angle of throws, quickness needed and range, all the demands of the position, you can’t have a weakness. At second base, if you’re a little short on arm, you won’t get exposed. At third base, if you’re a little short on range, you won’t get exposed. But at shortstop, with those weaknesses, you’re hurting the team.”
Looking ahead, the Giants, thanks to a fortunate lottery outcome, will have the fourth overall pick in the upcoming draft. Several highly regarded draft prospects are shortstops, including Roch Cholowsky (UCLA), Justin Lebron (Alabama), and high schoolers Grady Emerson, Jacob Lombard, and Tyler Spangler (De La Salle, Concord).
So, what do you think? Are the Giants wise to accumulate so many shortstops, or should they prioritize developing players at other positions? Could this strategy backfire if some of these prospects don't pan out? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
