Giants Sign Harrison Bader in Key Acquisition

Giants Sign Harrison Bader in Key Acquisition

The San Francisco Giants have reached an agreement with free agent outfielder Harrison Bader on a two-year contract, as reported by Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. The deal is pending the completion of a physical examination. This significant signing marks an important acquisition for the Giants as they seek to bolster their roster.

Harrison Bader’s Recent Performance

Bader, 31, has been navigating free agency for the past three offseasons. Previously, he signed one-year contracts with the New York Mets and the Minnesota Twins. His recent achievements include a standout performance in 2025, during which he displayed impressive batting skills after joining the Philadelphia Phillies via a midseason trade.

  • 2025 Stats: Bader recorded a batting line of .277/.347/.449.
  • Home Runs: He hit 17 home runs.
  • Doubles: He tallied 24 doubles.
  • Stolen Bases: Bader stole 11 bases in 18 attempts.

His offensive metrics included a 7.8% walk rate and a 27.1% strikeout rate, the latter being the highest of his career since 2019. Bader’s success stemmed from increased playing time and an exceptional .359 batting average on balls in play.

Defensive Skills

Defensively, Bader has excelled throughout his career. Over 5,925 innings in center field, he has achieved 51 Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) and 67 Outs Above Average (OAA). In the 2025 season, he played primarily left field with the Twins but still maintained impressive defensive statistics:

  • DRS in 2025: 7
  • OAA in 2025: 3 over 496 innings

Since his MLB debut in 2017, Bader has accumulated 6,799 innings in outfield defense. Remarkably, only four outfielders have surpassed his total DRS, while no one has outperformed his OAA during that time period.

Future Outlook

With Bader celebrating his 32nd birthday in June, questions about his longevity and performance may arise. However, recent statistics indicate a continued high level of play. His average sprint speed of 28.8 feet per second improved from 2024 and maintains strong rankings among MLB position players.

As the Giants prepare for the upcoming season, Harrison Bader’s multifaceted skill set, both at the plate and in the field, positions him as a critical component of their roster adjustments. His proven track record in defense and recent offensive success makes him a significant addition to the Giants in 2025.