Can Tyler Fitzgerald Reignite His Spark for the Giants in 2026?

Heading into the 2025 season, the San Francisco Giants had Tyler Fitzgerald penciled in as their everyday second baseman. It was a vote of confidence after a breakout 2024 campaign that saw him force his way into the lineup with a hot bat and surprising pop. But baseball can be unforgiving, and by the end of 2025, Fitzgerald found himself back in Triple-A, searching for answers.

Let’s rewind to what made the Giants believe in him in the first place. In 2024, Fitzgerald came out swinging-literally.

After the team cycled through multiple shortstop options, he stepped in and delivered a .280/.334/.497 slash line, along with 15 home runs and 34 RBIs. For a player whose calling card had always been speed, that kind of slugging was a revelation.

He didn’t just hold down the position-he made it his.

Fast forward to 2025, and things didn’t start off terribly. By the end of May, Fitzgerald was hitting a respectable .276/.331/.398.

Not quite the power stroke of the year before, but still solid production for a middle infielder. Then came the rib injury-a turning point in his season.

After that, he just couldn’t find his rhythm.

The Giants sent him down to Triple-A in June following a prolonged slump. He was recalled briefly due to injuries elsewhere on the roster, then sent back down again.

In August, the team gave him another look, this time experimenting with him in right field as part of a utility role. But the results didn’t improve, and another demotion followed.

By season’s end, Fitzgerald’s big-league numbers had dipped to a disappointing .217/.278/.327 with just four homers and 14 RBIs. The bat that once forced the Giants’ hand in 2024 had gone quiet.

His Triple-A numbers didn’t offer much encouragement either, suggesting the struggles weren’t just about adjusting to a new role or bad luck in the majors. He simply never looked comfortable at the plate.

So, where does that leave him heading into 2026?

The good news: he’s still in the mix. A full offseason to rest, heal, and recalibrate might be exactly what he needs. The Giants haven’t closed the door on him, but the path back to the big-league roster won’t be easy.

Casey Schmitt has taken over at second base and shown he can handle the job, while Christian Koss has emerged as a reliable utility option. Both leapfrogged Fitzgerald in the depth chart last season, and that’s the reality he’s facing now.

Still, there’s a window-however narrow-for Fitzgerald to make his case this spring. If he can recapture the form that made him such a valuable piece in 2024, especially if Schmitt needs extra time to recover from wrist surgery, Fitzgerald could force his way back into the conversation. His speed remains a weapon, and if he can pair that with solid defense and a more consistent bat, there’s a role for him-perhaps as a super-utility player who can cover multiple spots around the diamond.

The 2026 season could be pivotal for Fitzgerald. He’s already shown he can surprise people. Now it’s about proving he can do it again-and stick.

Can Tyler Fitzgerald Reignite His Spark for the Giants in 2026?

Heading into the 2025 season, the San Francisco Giants had Tyler Fitzgerald penciled in as their everyday second baseman. It was a vote of confidence after a breakout 2024 campaign that saw him force his way into the lineup with a hot bat and surprising pop. But baseball can be unforgiving, and by the end of 2025, Fitzgerald found himself back in Triple-A, searching for answers.

Let’s rewind to what made the Giants believe in him in the first place. In 2024, Fitzgerald came out swinging-literally.

After the team cycled through multiple shortstop options, he stepped in and delivered a .280/.334/.497 slash line, along with 15 home runs and 34 RBIs. For a player whose calling card had always been speed, that kind of slugging was a revelation.

He didn’t just hold down the position-he made it his.

Fast forward to 2025, and things didn’t start off terribly. By the end of May, Fitzgerald was hitting a respectable .276/.331/.398.

Not quite the power stroke of the year before, but still solid production for a middle infielder. Then came the rib injury-a turning point in his season.

After that, he just couldn’t find his rhythm.

The Giants sent him down to Triple-A in June following a prolonged slump. He was recalled briefly due to injuries elsewhere on the roster, then sent back down again.

In August, the team gave him another look, this time experimenting with him in right field as part of a utility role. But the results didn’t improve, and another demotion followed.

By season’s end, Fitzgerald’s big-league numbers had dipped to a disappointing .217/.278/.327 with just four homers and 14 RBIs. The bat that once forced the Giants’ hand in 2024 had gone quiet.

His Triple-A numbers didn’t offer much encouragement either, suggesting the struggles weren’t just about adjusting to a new role or bad luck in the majors. He simply never looked comfortable at the plate.

So, where does that leave him heading into 2026?

The good news: he’s still in the mix. A full offseason to rest, heal, and recalibrate might be exactly what he needs. The Giants haven’t closed the door on him, but the path back to the big-league roster won’t be easy.

Casey Schmitt has taken over at second base and shown he can handle the job, while Christian Koss has emerged as a reliable utility option. Both leapfrogged Fitzgerald in the depth chart last season, and that’s the reality he’s facing now.

Still, there’s a window-however narrow-for Fitzgerald to make his case this spring. If he can recapture the form that made him such a valuable piece in 2024, especially if Schmitt needs extra time to recover from wrist surgery, Fitzgerald could force his way back into the conversation. His speed remains a weapon, and if he can pair that with solid defense and a more consistent bat, there’s a role for him-perhaps as a super-utility player who can cover multiple spots around the diamond.

The 2026 season could be pivotal for Fitzgerald. He’s already shown he can surprise people. Now it’s about proving he can do it again-and stick.