OPENING ROSTERS NEED LEAP OF FAITH
Duggar impresses Giants, but spot on team not guaranteed
OAKLAND >> Giants prospect Steven Duggar made a ridiculous catch at the Coliseum on Sunday, racing to the 400-foot sign in center field to make a leaping grab that robbed Matt Joyce of extra bases.
It’s the type of play that has the nonroster invitee on the cusp of an Opening Day roster spot. Bruce Bochy said he expects a final decision on Duggar’s fate to be made today, after the manager has a chance to sit down with the rest of the Giants’ braintrust.
“He’s a talent on defense — and offense. That’s why he’s been here all spring,” Bochy said of Duggar.
Duggar went 0 for 4 with a strikeout in a 5-1 victory over the A’s on Sunday. His average stands at .245, with four home runs and 10 RBIs in 53 at-bats.
Along the way this spring, the outfielder picked up an endorsement from his Triple-A manager. Dave Brundage
saw Duggar close last season in Sacramento, which is why Brundage put in a good word for Duggar as the 24-year-old outfielder tries to crack the Giants’ Opening Day roster.
“There’s a lot to like about Steven Duggar. I spoke my mind and gave them my opinion on him to our big league staff and to the higher-ups in the front office,” Brundage said Saturday night, while the Giants were in town to play Sacramento at Raley Field.
“I think he’s a complete baseball player. He has good passion for the game. He does the little things correctly. Now, it’s just about gaining experience.”
About the only concern over Duggar is his short track record. His quick path through the minor league system means he’s played only 73 games at the Double-A level or higher.
An injury knocked him out for most of his 2017 season, when he was limited to just 44 games. Thirteen of those games were in Sacramento, which were enough to leave an impression on Brundage.
“Whether he makes the big league club or not, it’s their decision,” the Sacramento manager said. “But I’ve certainly voiced my opinion on him doing all the little things correctly. He has the instincts and controls the strike zone and is not overwhelmed by any aspect of the game.”
Bochy has made it clear
that whenever Duggar, 24, makes the roster, the Giants want it to be for good. They don’t want to rush him, which is part of the reason they acquired veteran outfielder Austin Jackson.
Whenever he’s been asked about Duggar this spring, Bochy says simply, “He’s still here.”
Will he still be here when the opening bell rings? Brundage understands that there is risk involved. But he added: “There’s a lot to like about him and I know darn well that they like what they saw in spring training. Now it’s just a matter of timing.”
BLACH TO START OPENING DAY >> Ty Blach will be among the most unlikely Opening Day starters in San Francisco history when he takes the mound Thursday against Clayton Kershaw and the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Bochy announced Blach as his pragmatic choice Sunday, tabbing the lefthander as a way of keeping the remainder of the Giants’ ravaged rotation on schedule.
With ace Madison Bumgarner (fractured metacarpal) and Jeff Samardzija (strained pectoral) muscle sidelined until at least early June, it’s Blach by default.
“Instead of disrupting three guys, Ty falls in there, in that slot,’’ Bochy said, with his matter-of-fact pronouncement before the Giants played the A’s at the Coliseum. “It’s easier for everybody.”
Blach went 8-12 with a 4.78 ERA a year ago after
being added to the rotation on April 25 in the wake of Bumgarner’s ill-fated trail bike ride.
He has Opening Day experience: Blach did it for Double-A Richmond in 2014 (a 10-2 loss to the New Britain Rock Cats). And he started the season again for Triple-A Sacramento in 2016 (a 5-2 loss to the Salt Lake Bees).
This time? He’ll take the mound in hostile Dodger Stadium, where he’ll face the reigning National League champions and their three-time Cy Young Award winner.
“It’s tough losing Bum. But it’s an honor to be able to get that nod and go out there and give it everything we’ve got,’’ Blach said Sunday.
Blach, 27, said he embraces the big stage. He said he had a blast in the 2016 N.L. Division Series, when he pitched 3 1/2 scoreless innings against the Chicago Cubs, with three strikeouts and no walks.
“It’s always something you dream of as a kid, to be able to pitch in those kind of games,’’ Blach said. “I’m definitely looking forward to it.”
Blach said Sunday that he understands the daunting task of facing Kershaw in the season-opener, but planned not to be overwhelmed.
“It’s just a game,’’ he said. “I’ve pitched against him twice in my career now and it was a couple of good games both times. It will be good to go out there and take on that challenge.”
Blach has a 2.23 ERA in seven career games against Los Angeles.
Opening Day starts are generally the domain of aces. Juan Marichal (started 10 of them). For less memorable Giants names, there was Tom Bradley in 1974, Al Holland in 1982, Mark Davis in 1984 and Mark Leiter in 1996. (Holland and Davis went on to be standout closers for other teams). Now, it’s Blach’s turn. “He’ll be fine,” Bochy said. “It’s unfortunate what happened (to Bumgarner), but on the good side, Ty gets an opportunity.”
• Johnny Cueto gave up one run over 5 2/3 innings, and finished spring with a 4.20 ERA and 19 strikeouts in 19 innings. With rotation stalwarts Madison Bumgarner (fractured fifth metacarpal) and Jeff Samardzija (strained pectoral) sidelined to start the season, Cueto knows eyes will be on him early in the season.
But he won’t put extra pressure on himself.
“No, no, no,” Cueto said. “It hurts to have those two guys out of the rotation, but I think that I don’t have to do more. I just have to do what Johnny Cueto is capable of doing.”
• Buster Posey went 2 for 4 with 2 RBI, lifting his spring average to .484. Posey tweaked his left ankle early in camp, leading to a late start, but Bochy said the five-time All-Star looks ready to go both in his at-bats and behind the plate.
• Pablo Sandoval, who played third Sunday, hit his fourth home run of spring. He leads the Giants with 17 RBIs this spring.