Key Takeaways
- Willy Adames is back in the San Francisco Giants lineup after missing three games with back spasms.
- He will start at shortstop and bat sixth in the three‑game series against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field.
- Adames is the Giants’ third‑most prolific home‑run hitter this season (14 HR) but struggles with a .231 average and a career‑low .275 OBP.
- Defensively, he has logged 12 errors, the second‑most among MLB shortstops.
- In 2025 the Giants signed Adames to a franchise‑record 7‑year, $182 million contract; roughly $150 million remains owed over the next five seasons.
- The Giants recently snapped an eight‑game losing streak versus the Arizona Diamondbacks and now look to build momentum in July with a favorable slate that includes seven games against the Rockies.
- Adames became the first Giants player since Barry Bonds (2004) to hit 30 homers in a season during his first year in San Francisco.
The San Francisco Giants are preparing for a three‑game road trip to Denver, where they will face the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. A key storyline heading into the series is the return of veteran shortstop Willy Adames, who missed the previous three contests after experiencing back spasms during a 3‑2 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Sunday. Adames struck out in the seventh inning of that game and was held out of the lineup thereafter, but the Giants opted not to place him on the injured list. After an off day to recover, he reported feeling much better and has been inserted into tonight’s lineup, starting at shortstop and batting sixth in the order.
Adames’ second season with San Francisco has been a study in contrasts. On the power side, he ranks third on the team in home runs with 14, trailing only Rafael Devers (15) and utility player Casey Schmitt (16). His ability to drive the ball out of the park remains a valuable asset, especially in a ballpark like Coors Field that favors extra‑base hits. However, his overall offensive production has been inconsistent. He is currently batting .231 with a .275 on‑base percentage—both marks represent career lows for the 30‑year‑old. The low average reflects difficulty making consistent contact, a problem that has limited his ability to turn his raw power into a higher overall contribution.
Defensively, Adames has also encountered challenges. He has committed 12 errors at shortstop, the second‑most in the major leagues behind only Zach Neto of the Los Angeles Angels. While his arm strength and range remain solid, the error total raises concerns about reliability in the infield, particularly in tight games where a single misplay can shift momentum.
The Giants’ front office is well aware of Adames’ profile. After 241 career games in a San Francisco uniform, the organization knows what it is getting: a middle‑of‑the‑order bat capable of delivering home‑run power, paired with a player who can be streaky at the plate and prone to occasional defensive lapses. This understanding was a driving force behind the historic contract Adames signed during the 2025 offseason. The Giants agreed to a seven‑year, $182 million deal—the largest in franchise history—to bring the slugging infielder to the Bay Area. The contract was heavily backloaded, meaning that the bulk of the financial commitment lies ahead. As of today, the Giants still owe Adames more than $150 million for the next five seasons. When the deal expires, Adames will be 35 years old and is projected to earn roughly $31 million per year in the final year, according to Spotrac figures.
Adames’ impact was immediately felt in his first season with San Francisco. He became the first Giants player since Barry Bonds in 2004 to hit 30 home runs in a single season, ending a 21‑year franchise drought for that milestone. That feat underscored the power upside the Giants hoped to harness when they pursued him.
Beyond the Adames storyline, the Giants are looking to turn their season around in July. They recently broke an eight‑game losing streak against division rival Arizona Diamondbacks with a 6‑4 win on Wednesday, July 1. The upcoming month offers a relatively favorable schedule: seven games against the Colorado Rockies, plus three‑game series versus the Toronto Blue Jays, Seattle Mariners, Kansas City Royals, and Los Angeles Angels. Facing the Rockies multiple times presents both high‑altitude Coors Field and a team that has struggled offensively this season could provide the Giants with opportunities to accumulate wins and regain momentum as they push for a postseason berth.
In summary, Willy Adames’ return to the lineup adds a much‑needed power boost to a Giants team that has been inconsistent at the plate. While his recent struggles with average and defense remain points of concern, his track record of delivering home runs and the sizable investment the franchise has made in him underscore his importance to San Francisco’s short‑ and long‑term plans. The July schedule, highlighted by multiple matchups with the Rockies, will be an early test of whether the Giants can capitalize on Adames’ strengths and translate them into a sustained winning streak.