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SAN FRANCISCO – Brett Harris, a 28-year-old journeyman from Arlington Heights, Illinois, had played for the Red Sox and Athletics before becoming the answer to a trivia question in the sixth inning of Wednesday’s stunning comeback victory over the Cardinals.
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By taking over for Drew Gilbert in center field, Harris became the 66th ballplayer to participate in a game for the Giants, tying a team record set in 2022.
Harris was hit by a pitch in his second at-bat of the game, making him part of a six-run eighth-inning rally that was capped off by another callup in Shay Whitcomb.
They were just two of the dozens of unheralded players trying to prove they belong on an MLB team long-term. That desperation can bring a certain kind of positive vibe.
“It’s been a lot of fun,” Whitcomb said after driving in the game-winning run. “I think the young guys just bring a lot of energy.”
His manager agreed. Tony Vitello also noted that for players such as Jonah Cox, one of the prospects who has become an everyday player this season, a chance to be in the lineup consistently teaches a lesson only experience can bring.
“Durability is almost a skill that you have to learn, just like hitting or throwing a baseball,” Vitello said. “They’ve done well in that category, among others.”
Vitello, in his first year on the job, has managed a team that is almost unrecognizable from when the season began.
Established veterans like Luis Arraez and Robbie Ray departed in early August at the trade deadline, but the historic roster churn started when the regular season was only six days old.
The Giants promoted catcher Eric Haase on the last day of March, making him the first player to be added to the team.
He was the first of 40 men – so far – who have worn the Giants uniform after not beginning the season on the Opening Day roster.
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A few arrived with pedigree: Bryce Eldridge, Carson Whisenhunt, Trevor McDonald and Cox fit in that group.
But like many of his other peers, Haase did not last long in San Francisco. The Giants released him on July 23 and he now catches in the Braves’ minor league system.
But at least Haase played in 29 games and hit four home runs during his time in the Bay Area.
Logan Porter, his fellow catcher, was promoted from Sacramento on May 9, scored a run in a 13-3 loss that same day, and then was promptly sent back to Triple-A in the state’s capital two days later.
Porter never played for the Giants again, being designated for assignment on June 1.
Gregory Santos, Will Brennan, Seth Lonsway, Yunior Marte, Wilkin Ramos and Eddys Leonard all suited up for the Giants at some point after being promoted from Triple-A before eventually being cast away for other anonymous names.
Somewhat surprisingly, despite being perhaps the most active team in the league in the trade market, only two players from the Giants’ six deals made have played for the club thus far.
Matt “Tugboat” Wilkinson is a promising pitcher and the crown jewel of the Patrick Bailey trade to Cleveland, and Anthony Molina has earned a win in all three of his appearances after arriving in the Tyler Mahle trade with Atlanta.
Who could be the player who will break the Giants’ record? Perhaps Marcelo Mayer, the talented shortstop acquired in the Erik Miller trade from Boston.
If he gets his wish, Mayer will be No. 67.
“We know what he wants: He wants to wear a Giants uniform before the year’s out,” Vitello said.
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This story was originally published September 10, 2026 at 1:27 PM.