On emotional night, Victor Bericoto provides walk-off homer for Giants’ win

SAN FRANCISCO — Victor Bericoto didn’t watch. He didn’t need to. The 24-year-old turned and flung his bat and then started a raucous sprint around the bases. When your first career walk-off leaves the bat at 109 mph with an estimated distance of 445 feet, there’s no need to worry about where it’s landing. Bat flip? How about a bat THROW pic.twitter.com/D0Q3rXvvp4 — SF Giants on NBCS (&commat;NBCSGiants) June 25, 2026Bericoto floated 360 feet and then celebrated with his teammates. After doing an on-field interview and catching his breath, he returned to a clubhouse where he was celebrated and told to give a speech. It was short — only about six words — manager Tony Vitello said later, but also perfect. When Bericoto finally got to his phone, he found it full of messages, as one would expect in such a moment. But for the native of Venezuela, this night wasn’t only about celebrating his greatest on-field contributions as a big leaguer.Bericoto was born in Maracay, and as he prepared for his first start in two weeks, he dealt with the reality that his home country had been hit incredibly hard by earthquakes. His time after his walk-off Wednesday was spent calling and checking on family members and friends while teammates walked up one by one to offer their support. It was an emotional day in every way for Bericoto, who returned to the radar this spring and has done his best over the past few months to consistently remind Giants officials and coaches that he should be in their future plans. Wednesday was full of proof. Bericoto’s game-winning homer was a rocket, but he also provided a defensive boost, making a 93-mph throw from left field in the middle of the game to throw Athletics shortstop Jacob Wilson out at the plate. That was crucial in a game that would be won 2-1 after ninth-inning homers from Bericoto and Rafael Devers. Just your average 4-7-2 double play &zwj; pic.twitter.com/TA3ni3TYaN — SF Giants on NBCS (&commat;NBCSGiants) June 25, 2026The tool set is an impressive one, and while the Giants haven’t found many opportunities for Bericoto, it’s easy for them to dream about what he might become one day if he continues to develop. “Everybody likes to get shortstops and get arms that throw velo, but to find a guy that’s going to hit is very difficult to do,” Vitello said. “I just kept hearing from guys like Will Clark and Jeffrey Leonard, just people that are a lot smarter, talk about him being hitter-ish. That’s an umbrella that you can put a lot of different things under, but he’s just very hitter-ish. “And he looks like Bryce (Eldridge). He looks imposing at the plate. That counts for something to the opponent.”Vitello talked Bericoto up all spring, but it has been difficult to find time for him in recent weeks. Bericoto entered the night with two singles and a homer in 18 scattered at-bats, and he had not started since June 10. Eldridge’s emergence has pushed Casey Schmitt to left and Jung Hoo Lee has been tremendous in right. Bericoto’s only at-bat during that time frame was one that wasn’t particularly fair to him.On Saturday, Vitello asked Bericoto to pinch-hit in the eighth inning with two runners on and the Giants trailing by three. The subtle message was essentially, “We know you haven’t played, but please go tie the game.” The rookie flew out. Vitello said he talked to some coaches and veterans about that situation and how difficult it was. But ultimately he believed the rep was a good one. “The only way you get at-bats is if you get at-bats,” he said. With a lefty on the other side Wednesday, both Bericoto and Jonah Cox — who also hadn’t started in two weeks — got their chance. Each had a single through three at-bats, and when Vitello pinch-hit with Drew Gilbert in the eighth, he had to choose whether to leave Bericoto in the game or stick with Cox. The right decision was made, at least on this night. Bericoto got a hanging slider from Elvis Alvarado and blasted it. “I wasn’t trying to do much,” he said during an on-field interview during “Giants Postgame Live” with NBC Sports Bay Area.” The pitcher just left me a good pitch in the zone and I just hit it.” Victor Bericoto WALKS IT OFF with a MOONSHOT to left center pic.twitter.com/nweZk3bTTX — SF Giants on NBCS (&commat;NBCSGiants) June 25, 2026Vitello said Bericoto has continued to show up early to get extra work in. On Wednesday, hours before first pitch, he did extra drills with assistant hitting coach Oscar Bernard. That work, Bericoto said, has helped him stay sharp. “I don’t play every single day, but what I do is I just concentrate,” he said through interpreter Erwin Higueros. “And when I show up to the ballpark I play and I train double-hard to be ready to contribute.”The walk-off was the third by a Giants rookie this season, joining a single from Jesus Rodriguez in May and a grand slam by Eldridge earlier this month. In what has become a dark year, some young players have provided occasional reminders that better days can come quickly if talented prospects hit their ceilings. This is the first time since 1985 that they’ve gotten walk-offs from three rookies. Eldridge hit second Wednesday, a spot in front of Schmitt, the breakout star of this season. Cox got some action and so did Gilbert, whose improvement in June has made it harder for Bericoto and Cox to find the field. The Giants hope they’re all part of the future, and perhaps the next six weeks will provide openings. Schmitt made an excellent defensive play early in the game, providing a reminder that the front office at some point will need to make a trade that gets him back on the dirt full-time. Late in the night, it was Bericoto who showed that he wants a greater role.“(There’s) a quiet confidence,” Vitello said of the rookie. “I think he’s low maintenance to coach and yet he works hard every day and shows up to the park — he was at Miami early the last couple of days, even though he’s got a lot of family and friends there. His job is to stay ready, but it’s the responsibility of the players and he’s done that.”Download and follow the Giants Talk Podcast

On emotional night, Victor Bericoto provides walk-off homer for Giants’ win

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