PHILADELPHIA — Casey Schmitt picked up the first base position roughly two weeks ago. In his first game at the spot, he had to borrow Sam Huff’s mitt because he didn’t have his own. For someone still learning the position, he already looks like he’s played it for life.

Schmitt made his latest impressive defensive play in the Giants’ 6-4 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday at Citizens Bank Park, picking a tricky line drive out of the dirt then flipping it to Justin Verlander for the out. Schmitt also roped a 110.2 mph two-run single, then was several feet away from hitting a go-ahead, three-run homer in the eighth inning of Tuesday’s game.

“He has third base down, and it looks like it hasn’t taken him too long to get first base down, too,” said manager Bob Melvin.

Schmitt made another slick play in the eighth inning on Sunday against the New York Yankees. With the Giants clinging to a one-run lead, Schmitt dove to snag J.C. Escarra’s grounder, then threw to a sprinting Tyler Rogers to get the out and end the inning. While defensive stats should be taken with a grain of salt in small samples, Schmitt has already totaled two defensive runs at the position.

The early returns are all the more impressive given Schmitt’s total lack of experience playing first base as a professional.

Prior to April 1, Schmitt had never played in a game at first base since the Giants selected him in the second round of the 2020 MLB Draft. Not in the majors. Not in the minors. Not in spring training. The last time he had played at first base prior to this season was roughly six years ago during summer ball when he was still in college. Schmitt is far more accustomed to the other corner position, having played 244 games at third base in the majors and minors combined. In 2022, Schmitt earned a Minor League Gold Glove at third base.

“I’ve been taking ground balls during (batting practice) and working on the picks,” Schmitt said. “Knowing where to go in situations, stuff like that.”

Wilmer Flores appeared likely to split time with LaMonte Wade Jr. at first base heading into the season, but Flores has spent nearly this entire season at DH. After playing 10 games at first base during spring training, Flores has only played one game at first base so far this season. Jerar Encarnacion has experience playing first base but is currently on the injured list with a left hand fracture. Schmitt, then, has become San Francisco’s backup first baseman behind Wade.

Playing Schmitt at first base allows the Giants to keep the 33-year-old Flores off his feet and, by extension, healthy. Flores only played 71 games last season before undergoing a season-ending Tenex procedure on his right knee, which was compromised the whole year. After only hitting four home runs in ‘24, Flores has already hit six homers over 17 games in ‘25.

Schmitt also has better career splits against left-handed pitchers than Wade, so it should come as no surprise that all four of Schmitt’s starts at first base have come on days where the opposing team starts a left-handed pitcher. Against lefties, Schmitt has a career .706 OPS while Wade has a career .559 OPS.

The 26-year-old doesn’t have eye-popping offensive numbers to begin the season (.566 OPS) but he hasn’t lacked for hard contact. Of the 13 balls that Schmitt has put into play, five of them have been at least 100 mph and two of them have been at least 110 mph. Schmitt’s 111.4 mph double against the Cincinnati Reds’ Nick Lodolo — a lefty — nearly matched his career-high max exit velocity of 111.6 mph.

“Anyway I can get there, I’m excited to do it,” Schmitt said.

Schmitt is no longer borrowing Huff’s mitt, having bought one of his own. As things stand, he’s set to get some good mileage out of it.