In the ever-evolving world of baseball, surprises can redefine a team’s season. The San Francisco Giants experienced just such a revelation in 2024 with the unexpected rise of Heliot Ramos.

After being largely dismissed following his struggles in prior years, Ramos caught fire after a May call-up, swinging his way straight to the All-Star Game. With one surprise performance already in the books, the Giants might find lightning striking twice.

Enter David Villar as a dark horse candidate to take center stage in 2025.

Villar’s journey to stardom has had its share of ups and downs. When the Giants sent him to the minors last August, it was easy to question his role within the team.

During his limited 2024 stint with the Giants, Villar delivered 9 hits in 35 at-bats, which included a home run and 4 RBIs. While respectable, these numbers didn’t quite scream standout.

In Triple-A, Villar posted a more consistent slash line of .260/.361/.441 with 16 home runs and 77 RBIs over 408 at-bats. Solid, but still not quite enough to demand attention from the big league spotlight.

It’s important to recall that the Giants saw potential in Villar back in 2023, handing him the key to third base, inspired by his strong close to the 2022 season. Unfortunately, his struggles in 2023, reflected in a .145 batting average over 124 at-bats, turned that dream into a distant memory. This prompted the Giants to recruit Matt Chapman, effectively sealing off third base as a possible avenue for Villar.

However, opportunity now beckons at second base. With Thairo Estrada’s future with the team looking uncertain after a tough 2024 season, second base appears ripe for a shakeup. The race for this spot is anticipated to feature names like Casey Schmitt, Brett Wisely, Tyler Fitzgerald, and of course, Villar.

Tyler Fitzgerald might have the inside track after a commendable 2024, but his cooling bat towards the end of the year might just open the door for Villar to make his mark. It’s tempting to dismiss Villar’s chances, but as Ramos demonstrated, sometimes the script flips when you least expect it. Villar has yet another shot to rewrite his narrative in 2025, and if he seizes it, the Giants could be in for another unforgettable surprise.