How SF has fared at the dish so far
A look at how Crawford, Posey, Yastrzemski, others have batted in spring
Giants are confident their surprisingly strong 2020 offensive numbers are an indication of what’s to come this year.
>> As spring training begins to wind down, the Giants are confident their surprisingly strong 2020 offensive numbers are an indication of what’s to come this year.
After Gabe Kapler hired a trio of hitting coaches in Donnie Ecker, Justin Viele and Dustin Lind who lacked any major league playing experience, there was skepticism about how a veteran lineup could improve and take steps forward last year. The doubts were put to rest as several players including Mike Yastrzemski, Donovan Solano and Brandon Belt enjoyed career years and many others made major contributions to an offense that ranked among the top 10 in baseball.
With Opening Day now eight days away, we looked at how each position player who is in line to receive an extensive amount of playing time has fared this spring and what stands out about their Cactus League performances to date. EVAN LONGORIA >> Longoria has yet to play the field this spring due to plantar fasciitis, but the injury hasn’t slowed him in his appearances as a designated hitter. Longoria is 9-for-19 with two doubles, four home runs and 10 RBIs, leading Kapler to comment on how impressive the veteran third baseman’s bat speed and approach have been so far. Catcher Buster Posey joked with Longo
ria that he’s hitting well enough this spring that he could have five years left in his career if he wanted to become a DH, which is a great compliment for a 35-year-old entering his 14th major league season. DONOVAN SOLANO >> The player teammates call “Donnie Barrels” has lived up to his nickname this spring, finding the barrel on a consistent basis en route to a 13-for-28 performance with four extra-base hits. Solano has drilled a pair of long home runs and is driving the ball to all fields as he looks completely capable of defending his title as the reigning National League Silver Slugger Award winner. The key for Solano to stay in the lineup is to play consistent defense, and so far this spring, he’s done a fine job at second base and third base.
AUSTIN SLATER >> With a towering drive that cleared the patio at Goodyear Ballpark against Cleveland on Tuesday, Slater registered his second home run of the spring and improved his OPS to 1.199 in 18 at-bats. The outfielder was limited early in Cactus League play by a hamstring issue, but is healthy again and clearly confident at the plate. Slater’s ability to consistently produce quality at-bats against right-handed pitchers will help expand the opportunities he receives in 2021.
WILMER FLORES >> When the Giants signed Flores to a two-year deal prior to the 2020 season, they made it clear they added the veteran infielder because he crushed lefthanded pitching. Flores ended up playing a decent amount against righties last year, but with the addition of Tommy La Stella, it seems he could be headed for more of a platoon role this year. He’s done exactly what the Giants have expected in spring training as he’s drawn five walks, slugged two home runs and grinded out at-bats.
MIKE YASTRZEMSKI >> The bat speed is still real, the power is still real and the Giants should have every reason to believe that Yastrzemski can continue to be a significant part of their offense for the next few seasons. Yastrzemski’s at-bats have looked better as the spring has unfolded as three of his four extrabase hits have come in his last two games. There will be stretches where Yastrzemski strikes out a lot and times he pops pitches up that he should drive, but that’s true of most good hitters. If Yastrzemski proves capable in center field, he’ll be even more valuable to the Giants in 2021.
BRANDON CRAWFORD >> It’s hard to believe that Crawford set career-highs in slugging percentage (.465) and OPS (.792) in 2020, but the Giants’ veteran shortstop enjoyed a solid offensive season last year and has carried over the success to this spring. Is Crawford ever going to win another Silver Slugger at the position like he did in 2015? Not as long as Fernando Tatis, Jr., Corey Seager and Trevor Story are in the National League. But Crawford has put together a good spring and should continue to benefit from the depth of the Giants’ lineup.
ALEX DICKERSON >> Dickerson has said in the past it takes about 100-to-115 atbats for him to get acclimated to hitting in the regular season and even with some good swings and good health this spring, he’s not sure good results will come right away. The Giants are okay with that because when Dickerson gets hot, there’s little doubt he can carry an offense for weeks at a time. MAURICIO DUBÓN >> When asked last week what has generally stood out during spring training, Kapler immediately highlighted Dubón’s approach at the plate. With 10 walks in 38 plate appearances, Dubón has posted a .462 on-base percentage that gives the Giants reason to believe he can be a really tough out toward the bottom of their lineup. Dubón may not be a big power hitter and he may still be prone to striking out, but the Giants think a refined approach at the plate will do wonders for a crucial utility player. BUSTER POSEY >> It’s been a relatively quiet spring for Posey, who has missed time with right hip soreness and is only 4-for-17 at the plate. The catcher’s best swing of the spring came on Tuesday when he ripped a double high off the center field wall against Cleveland, but for the most part, Posey seems to be searching for his rhythm as he’s hit a lot of foul balls and swung through more pitches than he typically does. A big question will be where Posey hits in the Giants’ lineup this season as Bruce Bochy often left him in the third or fourth spot, even when he was struggling. Kapler may not be as inclined to do so. BRANDON BELT >> With no at-bats in Cactus League play, there’s no good way to gauge Belt’s swing as he prepares for the regular season. Following a brutal offseason that included bouts with COVID-19 and mononucleosis, Belt has spent the entire spring building up his strength and stamina with the hope of contributing to the Giants at some point in April. Opening Day seems increasingly unlikely given that Belt has yet to record an official plate appearance, but Kapler says the Giants have liked what they’ve seen from the first baseman in live batting practice sessions.