Tony Vitello's first season as San Francisco Giants manager has been anything but smooth sailing, and this week's trip to Philadelphia served as a harsh reminder of the challenges ahead.

The Giants were swept in a three-game series by the Phillies, capping off a disastrous road trip that saw Vitello's squad lose both ends of a double-header in walk-off fashion. Those dramatic defeats—fueled by some rookie managerial decisions that raised eyebrows—left the team bruised and searching for answers.

As of Saturday, San Francisco sits at the bottom of the NL West, struggling to find the consistency that defined Vitello's successful tenure at Tennessee. The transition from college baseball to the big leagues has been an uneven ride, with the Giants showing flashes of promise followed by stretches of frustrating play.

But Giants General Manager Zack Minasian isn't hitting the panic button. In fact, he's doubling down on his belief in Vitello.

"I try not to make too much out of three games, that's a small sample," Minasian told reporters. "I wish I was thick-skinned enough to say I don't worry about it, but I think it's just the nature of these positions. You're always wanting to do better as a front office. We always want to make a positive impact. But I think a lot of it goes back to the fact that there is preparation, a lot of hard work and you just hope and are confident that things will turn."

Minasian acknowledged the rough start but emphasized that the bigger picture remains positive. "I think Tony's been great, the staff's been great. Obviously, I wish we had more wins. Yesterday was a tough day, but it felt like the first week, 10 days was really tough. Then we started to play more up to who we all thought we were."

The GM pointed out that chemistry is building behind the scenes. "You go into Philly and you have a rough series; it happens. I think guys are prepared. I think Tony's formed a really good bond with the players, and I think everyone's working together. There are peaks and valleys."

For Giants fans—and anyone tracking Vitello's transition from college legend to MLB skipper—the message is clear: patience is key. This team is still finding its identity, but the front office has faith that the foundation being laid now will pay off when it matters most.