Remember when everyone doubted Willy Adames’ huge contract with the Giants? Well, he just flipped the script! After a rocky start, Adames has turned his season around, showing why he’s San Francisco’s new face. What do you think his impact will be on the Giants’ future?

After years of striking out on high-profile free agents like Bryce Harper, Aaron Judge, and Shohei Ohtani, the San Francisco Giants finally landed their marquee star in shortstop Willy Adames. The immense pressure on Adames was palpable, tasked with not only leading a franchise hungry for a championship but also justifying a historic $182 million contract, the largest in team history. His arrival was meant to signal a new era for the Giants, a departure from their recent struggles in attracting top-tier talent.

The offseason surrounding Adames’ signing was abuzz with other major names, yet the Giants remained steadfast in their pursuit of the Milwaukee Brewers’ former star. They bypassed the Juan Soto sweepstakes, focusing intently on Adames from the outset. This deliberate strategy paid off, securing a player envisioned as the new face of the franchise, fulfilling a lifelong dream for Adames with a significant payday that underscored the team’s commitment.

However, the dream start quickly turned into a nightmare. Adames’ initial performance with the Giants was profoundly underwhelming, sparking widespread concern and leading many to question the wisdom of such a substantial investment. Fans and pundits alike wondered if the Giants had once again miscalculated, fearing that their new star might be an expensive bust rather than the transformative talent they desperately needed.

Despite the on-field struggles and growing public skepticism, Adames displayed remarkable resilience and an unwavering positive attitude. Even when his batting average languished, he remained a vibrant presence in the dugout, often the first to celebrate teammates’ successes and always playing with visible joy. This commitment to team morale, even in personal adversity, began to win over a segment of the fanbase, albeit slowly.

The turning point arrived with a series of immediate and dramatic improvements following an opportune off-day. Adames launched three home runs in the subsequent four games, including a memorable blast in his first at-bat during the heated rivalry clash against the Los Angeles Dodgers. This sudden surge in power and production offered a glimmer of hope, suggesting that the highly anticipated breakout might finally be materializing.

What followed was an extraordinary two-month stretch where Adames transformed into one of baseball’s elite hitters. From June 10 to July 31, across 43 games, he performed at a level commensurate with, if not exceeding, the expectations placed upon the highest-paid player in Giants’ history. This period showcased the talent and potential that had made him such a coveted free agent, reigniting excitement among the San Francisco faithful.

While sustaining such a torrid pace for an entire season is unrealistic, Adames’ mid-season surge significantly improved his overall statistics, bringing them closer to his established career norms. His current slash line of .222/.312/.402, coupled with 22 home runs and 66 RBIs, while perhaps not the MVP-caliber numbers some hoped for, represents a remarkable recovery from his abysmal start, turning his inaugural season into a success story.

Crucially, Adames’ impressive run has elevated him to an above-average major league hitter, reflected in his current 102 wRC+. With over a month remaining in the 2025 season, there’s a distinct possibility he could flirt with the 30-home run mark, a feat not achieved by a Giants hitter since the legendary Barry Bonds. His defensive performance has also seen marked improvement, contributing to his solid 2.9 fWAR for the season, with projections pointing towards a mid-3.0s finish.

As just the first year of a monumental seven-year contract, Willy Adames’ inaugural campaign in San Francisco has proven to be a solid foundation for what the Giants hope will be a long and successful tenure. His ability to overcome early struggles and deliver impactful production has reassured the fanbase, making the remainder of his $182 million deal seem far more promising than its initial shaky start. This performance is a vital component of Buster Posey’s vision for the franchise’s future.