The 2024 MLB season was a rollercoaster for the San Francisco Giants, a team with rich history and past successes, including three World Series titles in the last decade. However, the 2024 campaign didn’t unfold as hoped, leaving the Giants just outside playoff contention. Below is an in-depth look at the team’s standings and overall performance throughout the season, analyzing key statistics, strengths, and areas where improvement is needed.
Final Standings for the 2024 Season
The San Francisco Giants concluded their 2024 season with a record of 80-82, which placed them in fourth position in the National League West division. Competing in a highly competitive division, they finished behind division leaders like the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres, both of whom had playoff aspirations. The Giants were unable to maintain the level of consistency needed to surpass their division rivals, especially as the Padres and Dodgers boasted stronger performances throughout the season.

Division Rank: 4th in NL West
Overall Record: 80-82
Games Behind (GB): 14 games behind the division winner (Los Angeles Dodgers)
While the Giants stayed in the playoff race for much of the year, they ultimately fell short of earning a Wild Card spot.
Key Team Statistics (2024)
The Giants had a mixed bag of performances in terms of both batting and pitching stats. Some players shone, but overall, the team lacked the consistency needed to clinch key wins.
Offensive Performance
Runs Scored: 693 (20th in MLB)
Home Runs: 177 (16th in MLB)
Team Batting Average: .239 (17th in MLB)
On-Base Percentage (OBP): .305
Slugging Percentage (SLG): .396
Despite having some strong individual performances, such as Matt Chapman’s 27 home runs and Heliot Ramos’ .269 average, the Giants struggled to put up consistent offensive numbers. They ranked in the bottom half of the league in runs scored, and their on-base percentage highlighted difficulties in getting runners on base.
Pitching Performance
Team ERA: 4.06
Strikeouts: 1,305 (15th in MLB)
Whip (Walks + Hits / Innings Pitched): 1.27
Pitching was an area where the Giants saw some success, led by ace Logan Webb, who had 172 strikeouts and consistently delivered quality starts. However, the bullpen often struggled to maintain leads, resulting in losses in close games.
Notable Players of the Season
Several individual performances were notable for the Giants, though they couldn’t always translate to consistent wins.
Matt Chapman leads the team with 27 home runs and a solid all-around game. He was one of the most reliable power hitters in the lineup.
Heliot Ramos: Ramos had a productive year, posting a .269 batting average with 22 home runs, solidifying his spot in the plans of the Giants.
Logan Webb: Webb was the team’s ace pitcher, showcasing his ability to control games with his 172 strikeouts and maintaining one of the lowest ERAs among starters.
These players provided the foundation for the team’s performance, but the Giants struggled to surround them with enough consistent support.
Challenges Faced by the Giants
Inconsistent Offense: The Giants’ offensive struggles were a major factor in their inability to secure more wins. Despite having power hitters, their batting average and on-base percentage were subpar. They ranked 20th in the league for total runs scored, indicating that clutch hitting was lacking.
Injuries: Injuries also played a role in derailing the Giants’ momentum at key points in the season. Several key players spent time on the injured list, forcing the team to rely on backup players or call-ups from the minors.
Pitching Depth: While their starting rotation was solid, the bullpen often faltered late in games. The inability to hold leads or close out tight games resulted in several blown saves and late-game losses.
Bright Spots and Prospects for 2025
The 2024 season may not have ended in a playoff run, but the Giants did have bright spots, especially in their young talent pool. The emergence of Heliot Ramos as a consistent performer in the outfield and solid production from Patrick Bailey behind the plate are encouraging signs for the future.
Looking ahead, the Giants have some key decisions to make in the offseason. Strengthening the bullpen, adding depth to the lineup, and ensuring health across the roster will be pivotal to improving their standing in the 2025 season.
Comparison with Rivals in NL West
The NL West remains one of the toughest divisions in baseball, with powerhouse teams like the Dodgers and Padres consistently fielding championship-caliber rosters. To compete, the Giants will need to improve both offensively and defensively, particularly in head-to-head matchups against these divisional rivals.
Team | Record | Division Rank | Games Behind |
---|---|---|---|
Los Angeles Dodgers | 94-68 | 1st | – |
San Diego Padres | 88-74 | 2nd | 6.0 |
Arizona Diamondbacks | 85-77 | 3rd | 9.0 |
San Francisco Giants | 80-82 | 4th | 14.0 |
Colorado Rockies | 64-98 | 5th | 30.0 |
This table highlights the uphill battle the Giants face within their division. Closing the gap on teams like the Dodgers and Padres will require strategic roster upgrades and more consistent performances across the board.
Offensive Struggles: A Key Limiting Factor
One of the clearest issues for the Giants in 2024 was their inability to score runs consistently. The team ranked 20th in MLB for runs scored (693), significantly behind leading offensive teams. The offense had its bright spots with power hitting, as demonstrated by the team’s 177 home runs (16th in MLB), but their overall .239 batting average (17th in MLB) and .305 on-base percentage highlighted the struggle to get on base consistently and capitalize on opportunities.
Here’s a closer look at the offensive production of key players in 2024:
Player | Home Runs | RBI | Batting Avg | On-Base % (OBP) | Slugging % (SLG) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Matt Chapman | 27 | 78 | .247 | .328 | .463 |
Heliot Ramos | 22 | 72 | .269 | .322 | .469 |
Michael Conforto | 20 | 66 | .237 | .309 | .450 |
Mike Yastrzemski | 18 | 57 | .231 | .302 | .437 |
While power hitters like Matt Chapman and Heliot Ramos delivered solid individual seasons, the rest of the lineup struggled to consistently produce hits and generate scoring opportunities. The lack of contributions from the bottom of the lineup, combined with a subpar batting average, made it difficult for the Giants to string together rallies in key games.
Improving their offensive depth and situational hitting will be crucial if the Giants hope to contend in 2025.
Pitching: Strong Starting Rotation but Bullpen Issues
On the pitching side, the Giants’ starting rotation provided stability, with Logan Webb leading the way. Webb was the team’s ace, compiling a strong season with 172 strikeouts and an impressive ERA that helped keep the Giants competitive. Other starters, like Alex Cobb and Sean Manaea, contributed, but the bullpen’s inconsistency remained a significant issue.
Team ERA: 4.06 (14th in MLB)
Strikeouts: 1,305 (15th in MLB)
WHIP (Walks + Hits per Innings Pitched): 1.27
The bullpen, in particular, was responsible for a number of late-inning collapses. The inability to close out games effectively and protect leads led to several losses in tight games, impacting the Giants’ chances to stay in the playoff hunt.
Strengths and Weaknesses: A Breakdown
To better understand the Giants’ performance, let’s break down their strengths and weaknesses:
Strengths:
Power Hitting: Players like Matt Chapman and Heliot Ramos provided significant power, with the team ranking 16th in home runs.
Starting Pitching: Logan Webb was a standout performer, and the overall starting rotation showed flashes of brilliance.
Young Talent: Prospects like Patrick Bailey and Luis Matos showed promise, giving the Giants something to build on for the future.
Weaknesses:
Offensive Inconsistency: The team struggled to get on base, ranking 17th in batting average and 20th in runs scored.
Bullpen Issues: Inconsistent relief pitching led to blown saves and critical losses late in games.
Injuries: Key players missing time during the season disrupted the team’s momentum and depth, making it difficult to maintain a competitive pace.
Key Areas for Improvement in the Offseason
For the Giants to improve their standings in 2025, several key areas must be addressed during the offseason:
Bullpen Reinforcements: Strengthening the bullpen will be crucial. Adding experienced relievers who can close out games consistently will prevent the blown saves that plagued the 2024 season.
Improving On-Base Skills: The Giants need to find players who can consistently get on base. Signing or developing contact hitters who can drive up the team’s on-base percentage will help improve run production and give power hitters more opportunities to shine.
Adding Depth to the Lineup: Injuries played a role in the team’s struggles, so adding depth to the roster, especially in the outfield and at key infield positions, will help the Giants remain competitive throughout a long season.
NL West: A Highly Competitive Division
Competing in the National League West is no easy task. With powerhouses like the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres, both of whom made playoff runs in 2024, the Giants are facing strong competition year after year. To close the gap, the Giants need to make significant roster improvements and maintain consistency throughout the season.
Team | 2024 Record | Division Rank |
---|---|---|
Los Angeles Dodgers | 94-68 | 1st |
San Diego Padres | 88-74 | 2nd |
Arizona Diamondbacks | 85-77 | 3rd |
San Francisco Giants | 80-82 | 4th |
Colorado Rockies | 64-98 | 5th |
As seen in the table, the Giants finished 14 games behind the Dodgers, highlighting the competitiveness of the division. It will require a combination of strategic signings, improved performances from current players, and strong management decisions to climb higher in the standings next season.
Looking Ahead to 2025: Can the Giants Compete?
While the 2024 season was ultimately a disappointment in terms of missing the playoffs, the San Francisco Giants showed enough potential to build on for the future. The core group of players, including Webb, Chapman, and Ramos, gives them a solid foundation. However, success in 2025 will depend on:
- Offseason Moves: Addressing key areas of need, particularly in the bullpen and lineup depth.
- Player Development: Continuing to develop young prospects like Bailey and Matos will be critical for long-term success.
- Health and Consistency: Staying healthy and maintaining consistent performances, especially in division games, will be vital.
The Giants have the potential to return to the postseason, but they’ll need to make significant strides in improving their roster and maintaining consistency throughout the 2025 campaign.
Conclusion
The San Francisco Giants had a challenging 2024 season, finishing fourth in the NL West with a record of 80-82. While individual performances from players like Matt Chapman and Logan Webb provided hope, the team struggled with inconsistency, particularly on offense and in the bullpen. However, with some promising young talent and areas identified for improvement, the Giants have a solid foundation to build on as they look toward the 2025 season.
Their primary focus in the offseason will be to address the offensive inconsistency, bolster the bullpen, and stay competitive in a highly challenging NL West division. With the right adjustments, the Giants could position themselves as strong playoff contenders once again.