Giants emerge from spring camp mostly healthy
“It’s pretty cool that we have a nearfull and healthy rotation.” Gabe Kapler, Giants manager
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Spring training is all about determining not so much an Opening Night roster — those can change within days — as it is ensuring there’s a solid depth chart for future needs and a strong familiarity with any additions who might be options.
The other emphasis, of course, is health, and there the Giants enjoyed not just a good spring but an excellent one. Mike Yastrzemski is daytoday after being hit on the left hand by a pitch Monday, but no one incurred any major issues — and Brandon Belt is somewhat surprisingly good to go. Belt’s status for the opener was uncertain after surgery to remove bone spurs from his right foot; then he contracted COVID19 and, shortly after, mono, causing him to miss the first threeplus weeks of camp.
Two other veterans came out of spring well after some question marks of their own. Evan Longoria, who had a reoccurrence of his semiregular plantar fasciitis issues, played in the field by the end of the spring and is likely to be at third base Thursday. And Buster Posey, who opted out of last season, hit .286 with three doubles and five walks and resumed his topnotch work with the pitching staff, especially spring standout Logan Webb.
The only player expected to have a roster spot who is likely to open the season on the injured list is fifthstarter candidate Alex Wood, who is already throwing bullpen sessions after a spinal ablation procedure.
“I think the most important things were building up volume and getting through the majority of our camp healthy,” manager Gabe Kapler said. “I think that’s a really impressive accomplishment and a lot of credit goes to our medical staff and our coaching staff . ... It’s pretty cool that we have a nearfull and healthy rotation. Obviously Wood is on the mend, but the most important thing you can do in any camp is get your reps, get your volume and get the players to the finish line healthy.”
When Wood is able to come off the IL, the team will have an interesting decision to make. Might the Giants go to a sixman rotation? Move Wood or Aaron Sanchez into long relief? Try to send one through waivers?
That only further highlights one thing that became apparent during camp: With numerous experienced possibilities for that fifthstarter spot — nonroster players Scott Kazmir and Nick Tropeano are also available — performance is going to matter. Sanchez will get the first shot, but if he struggles, the Giants might not have a long leash given that Wood could be back in two weeks or so.
The Giants now have a good handle on potential replacements pretty much anywhere. LaMonte Wade Jr. could be an option in the outfield after demonstrating he can play all three spots, and if his revamped swing shows good results in the first month or so at TripleA Sacramento, all the better. Utility player Jason Vosler demonstrated he can hit along with having some versatility.
Then there is Heliot Ramos. The Giants’ top outfield prospect had mustsee spring atbats, showing power and good contact, and were it not for the minorleague shutdown last year, he might have broken camp with the team. Instead, he’s slated for several months at DoubleA and TripleA, but could quickly zip up the ladder. The skill set could accelerate his arrival in San Francisco, even if September is the likeliest scenario.
Another plus is the fact that the Giants didn’t just get a gauge on their own possible best replacements, they also got a good look at other teams’ justmissed roster candidates. Should any fit what San Francisco might be looking for — say, a defensiveminded backup shortstop — they might be able to snatch up some more help.
The most significant aspect of spring 2021 was that the team did not lose any time to COVID19 — no games were canceled, there were no cases during camp. Better still is the fact that fans were able to attend games in a limited capacity, which made an enormous difference for the overall atmosphere while providing information for teams to use when their own ballparks reopen to start the season. The trial run was, to date, successful, with no COVID19 surges connected to spring games.
“It’s always nice to play in front of people and not have fake crowd noise,” Crawford said. “Hopefully with more people, it’ll get a little bit louder, but I think it went really well. It’s nice to see people back out at the park.”