SF Giants’ Willy Adames named 2025 Willie Mac Award winner
SAN FRANCISCO In his first season as a San Francisco Giant shortstop Willy Adames has been named the Willie Mac Award winner Since its inception in the Willie Mac Award named after Hall of Famer Willie McCovey goes to the the bulk inspirational Giant in a given season The award is voted on by players coaches fans training staff and clubhouse staff The past winners who were in attendance on Friday included third baseman Matt Chapman designated hitter first baseman Wilmer Flores and former catcher and current president of baseball operations Buster Posey He s the same guy every day commented manager Bob Melvin He loves playing baseball Even now he doesn t want days off He wants to keep playing It s enthusiasm it s assistance for his teammates it s energetic it s every day almost as advertised from what I ve heard before he signed And now you look up and you see the numbers too the numbers are there as well after a slow start which can be complicated in a new place I m very impressed with Willy Adames Entering Friday Adames led all Giants in FanGraphs WAR Over a team-high games Adames was hitting with home runs RBIs runs scored and steals Adames had a rocky start to his tenure in San Francisco after signing a seven-year million deal this offseason the largest contract in franchise history at the time By the end of May Adames OPS was the lowest mark among the Giants qualified hitters Adames also rated out as a below-average defender as well worth - outs above average through two months The turning point of Adames season arrived in early June On June Adames was given his first off day of the season On June Adames spent the Giants crew off day meditating in the mountains of Colorado which made me go back to my roots That day put me in a better spot mentally Since that day I was like Just be yourself Adames stated It s been better It s been going in the right direction even though we haven t been playing the best ball as a organization We re moving forward Adames has been one of the best players in baseball since receiving that mental respite Since June Adames ranks th among all players in the majors in FanGraphs WAR posting an OPS with homers and RBIs during that span The -year-old shortstop entered Friday two homers away from becoming the first Giant to hit homers in a single season since Barry Bonds in His home runs as a shortstop are the second-most in the majors trailing only the New York Mets Francisco Lindor He took it hard that the offensive numbers weren t there early on but again he s picked it up and he s on the verge of hitting homers Melvin explained Worth noting Despite being eliminated from postseason contention the Giants plan to keep catcher Jesus Rodriguez on the taxi squad instead of activating him to make his major-league debut
