Giants' prospects to join veterans in Saturday's opener
SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ. >> The lineup the Giants roll out Saturday afternoon for their Cactus League opener will resemble the one that opens the season at Yankee Stadium on March 30, though most veterans won't play more than a few innings.
Manager Gabe Kapler said Friday that LaMonte Wade Jr. (1B), Thairo Estrada (2B), Brandon Crawford (SS), Austin Slater (CF) and Joc Pederson (DH) were all tentatively scheduled to be penciled in Saturday against the Cubs at Sloan Park in Mesa, while two prospects — Casey Schmitt (3B) and Heliot Ramos (RF) — will also join them.
Rule 5 catcher Blake Sabol will be the batterymate for previously announced starting pitcher Tristan Beck.
Fittingly, for a club that has used a different left fielder on Opening Day for the past 16 seasons, the position remains to be determined heading into their spring opener, Kapler said. By Opening Day, Michael Conforto is expected to occupy left, but he remains limited from shoulder surgery last year. Mike Yastrzemski, Mitch Haniger, David Villar, Wilmer Flores and J.D. Davis are the other veterans not expected to play Saturday.
It's no coincidence that, along with the starting battery, every other pitcher scheduled to throw had some experience with the pitch clock in the minor leagues last season.
“If we're going to be inquisitive, these are good resources,” Kapler said.
Notable
• Reliever Cole Waites (lat strain), who injured himself during a bullpen before camp, said he expects to begin throwing again Monday after he is re-evaluated Sunday.
• Conforto (shoulder) is expected to begin Cactus League play exclusively at designated hitter, but Kapler said he could see time in the outfield by the first week of March.
• On KNBR, Giants CEO Larry Baer announced new, lower beer prices at Oracle Park. You'll be able to buy a 14-ounce domestic draft for $9 at certain spots at the ballpark.