Parker, Williamson begin competition to be Giants left fielder
Friends Williamson, Parker compete for open spot in lineup
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The games don’t count in spring training, but the competition is very real. And it’s often between good friends.
The Giants have but one vacancy in their everyday lineup, and the jousting for left field began in earnest with Friday’s first full squad workout. Jarrett Parker and Mac Williamson are competing for one spot, although the club also will look at nonroster invitees Michael Morse and Justin Ruggiano. If nobody steps up as the spring progresses, they could seek another option via trade.
But this is primarily a two-man competition. It’s the Giants’ first battle between homegrown players since 2009, when Emmanuel Burriss nudged out Kevin Frandsen to become the opening day second baseman.
The easiest way to deal with competing against a friend? Change the narrative.
“I honestly don’t think twice about it,” Parker said. “I believe in abundance theory. There’s enough success for everybody. He’ll do his thing, I’ll do mine, and it’ll happen as it happens. Mac’s a great player. I think we’ll both play our game and let the rest take care of itself.”
Said Williamson: “Honestly, we’re pretty good friends on and off the field, we’re throw partners, we’re in the same hitting group and out there together taking reads in left field. I think the media and the fans wonder if it’s awkward, but for us, we’re just trying to have fun with it and work hard and keep our heads down.”
Parker is 28 and Williamson is 26. They don’t need directions to AT&T Park or the clubhouse at Scottsdale Stadium. No introductions required.
But they’ve never come to spring training with the knowledge that a major league job is there for the taking.
Williamson stuck to a similar routine this past offseason. The North Carolina native traveled to Southern California to work out and hit with former Giant Matt Duffy.
Parker had a much different offseason by his bon vivant standards. He stayed at home in the Washington D.C. area — a change from his adventures the previous two winters, when he lived in Manhattan for two months to experience the big city, and swam in the waters off the Croatian coastline while on a lengthy backpacking tour of Europe.
While Parker has a huge edge because he’s out of minor league options, Giants manager Bruce Bochy declared that the competition was as wide open as the Adriatic.
“I think it’s time for them to get that opportunity,” Bochy said. “We’ll throw them out there as much as we can this spring.”
Parker hits left-handed and Williamson bats from the right side, but the Giants aren’t entertaining a platoon. Because they want more experience on their bench, the loser of the competition probably won’t make the club in a reserve role.
“We’re not leaning toward any one way, left or right,” Bochy said. “We’ll watch these guys and see how they compete.”
For now, the goodwill is in abundance.
“His talent speaks for itself,” Williamson said of Parker. “If we’re both good enough to play in the big leagues, we will at some point, either together or separately. And if we’re not, someone else can win the job. I mean, there’s a ton of talent in this room. A lot of guys are equally capable of winning the job besides us.”
Bochy said the club is n “pretty locked in” with Eduardo Núñez as the starting third baseman, although they added another option by signing former All-Star Aaron Hill to a minor-league contract on Friday.
Bochy said Núñez could bat leadoff at times this season and also could contribute in the No. 2 spot, even though Brandon Belt appeared to adapt well to hitting there in the second half.
“When he got settled in, he did a great job,” Bochy said of Núñez. “He’s young, he’s high energy, he’s a really good baserunner. He gives us another dimension with his speed. No, we acquired him to play him.”
Hill worked at third base on Friday while Jimmy Rollins, who has never started at a position other than shortstop, practiced the pivot at second base.
Bochy called Hill “a proven right-handed bat and a solid second baseman. When they moved him to third, I didn’t know how good he’d be. But against us, he played a great third base.”
Hunter Pence took n part in all phases of Friday’s workout except batting practice as the Giants bring him along slowly because of what they termed mild irritation in his side.
“We’re controlling his workload right now, is the best way to put it,” Bochy said. “He’s real close. He just didn’t hit today.”
Morse’s first batting n practice session included a massive blast that clanged more than 30 feet high off the light pole in right-center field.
The Giants signed n outfielder Slade Heathcott to a minor-league contract, according to a report from Jon Heyman. Heathcott, a 26-year-old left-handed hitter, saw brief action with the Yankees in 2015.
With all the ex-Giants n in camp as special instructors, it was worth a double take when 1980s All-Star and St Louis Cardinals stolen-base legend Vince Coleman stepped on the field in uniform. The Giants hired Coleman as a minor league roving baserunning and outfield coach.