Photo credit: MLB.com

By Vince Cestone

As it always seems to be in spring training, there’s one player who you least expect that makes a strong impression. And for the San Francisco Giants, that player is non-roster invitee Victor Bericoto.

Bericoto has been making loud contact all spring. He is 8-for-14, with two home runs. He is a long shot to make the team when they go north, but you never know if one of the Giants’ main outfielders suffers an injury. If that happens, Bericoto may have his shot on Opening Day if he keeps up his successful spring training at the plate.

The Giants signed Bericoto as an international free agent out of Venezuela in 2018. He cost the Giants $25,000. During that time, the Giants also signed current roster member Luis Matos and former Giants infielder Marco Luciano, who is now in the New York Yankees organization.

Before Monday’s game, Bericoto had 9 RBIs in seven games, with an impressive 1.642 OPS. His most impressive season in the minors came in 2023, where he hit 27 home runs and had a .272 batting average in 122 games. Bericoto’s 456 at-bats were split between the Eugene Emeralds (High-A affiliate) and the Richmond Flying Squirrels (Double-A affiliate). He had a solid combined .840 OPS that season.

Bericoto was in Triple-A Sacramento last season, only hitting .196 in 46 at-bats. He had one home run and a double but did not draw a walk in his Triple-A stint. He probably will start 2026 in Sacramento, unless he continues his hot-hitting spring and the Giants decide otherwise.

Even though it’s spring training, Bericoto hit a grand slam against the Dodgers on Friday which will always get attention even if the games don’t count. His two home runs leads the team in that category.

Bericoto, 24, is a converted catcher who plays left field, right field, and also some first base. It will be interesting to see where he ranks in MLB Pipeline’s top 30. That list has not yet been released in 2026.

This is Bericoto’s fifth spring training with the Giants. He could be an intriguing option if he’s on the Opening Day roster at Oracle Park. Opening Day is March 25 against the New York Yankees.