As the 2026 season kicks off for the San Francisco Giants, the first base conundrum looms large. While fans weren’t too concerned during the offseason, the reality has set in that the Giants are in a bit of a pickle when it comes to finding a reliable first baseman.

The offseason chatter revolved around whether the Giants had an abundance of first basemen, with Rafael Devers and Bryce Eldridge expected to be in the mix for the foreseeable future. However, as the season unfolds, it turns out the team is still searching for a solid fit at first.

The Giants have cycled through three players at first base so far: Casey Schmitt, Jerar Encarnacion, and Rafael Devers. None of them are your typical first baseman.

Schmitt, primarily a third baseman, can also cover middle infield positions. Encarnacion is better suited as a designated hitter, with occasional appearances in left field.

Devers, more experienced at third base, is still getting the hang of first base.

These experiments have highlighted the Giants’ struggle at first base, a lesson learned the hard way in the season’s opening weeks.

Schmitt’s stint at first base was rocky, marked by mishandled throws from Matt Chapman that should have been routine catches. This led to a memorable exchange in San Diego and Schmitt’s back issues opened the door for Encarnacion to step in.

Encarnacion, however, proved to be an even less suitable option, missing a crucial throw from Chapman. This misstep hastened Devers’ return to first base, despite a tight hamstring. In his two starts, Devers struggled with throws from Chapman, including a challenging play on Sunday where he couldn’t scoop a low throw.

Monday night saw more of the same, as Devers missed another throw from Chapman, this time resulting in the ball hitting the runner. While Chapman’s throws have been less than perfect, a seasoned first baseman might have salvaged some of these plays.

The Giants’ predicament is clear: they lack a true first baseman. There’s hope in the minors with Bryce Eldridge, a tall and promising player, but he’s young and still learning the ropes.

Perhaps when Brandon Belt returns to Oracle Park later this month, he can offer some sage advice-or even take up the position himself, since he hasn’t officially retired yet.

The Giants are in a tough spot, but with time and practice, whoever takes up the mantle at first base could grow into the role. For now, though, the team is navigating through a tricky situation, looking for stability in a key position.