San Francisco Giants infield coach Ron Washington has reportedly found it challenging to get star infielder Willy Adames to consistently commit to defensive work, a situation that comes as the team struggles with a 47-63 record.
Comments made during a recent broadcast indicated that it has been "a little bit harder to get Willy Adames to commit to the work, day-in and day-out," though the commentator added that Adames has been improving recently. Giants manager Tony Vitello has reportedly observed defensive gains in Adames' play when he works one-on-one with Washington.
The discussion surrounding Adames' defensive effort gained traction after a clip of the broadcast comments was shared on social media. While Adames has been dealing with back issues throughout the season, which may have limited his practice participation, the reported comments from a respected coach like Washington are viewed as a negative reflection on the struggling team.
Adames has had a statistically difficult defensive season, posting a -10 Fielding Run Value, the lowest among shortstops in the league, along with struggles in range. This contrasts with a +4 Fielding Run Value he recorded in the 2025 season. Offensively, Adames is currently batting .225 with 18 home runs and a .701 OPS.
The San Francisco Giants are reportedly considering trading Adames before the upcoming deadline, and these public comments about his defensive commitment could potentially impact his market value.