Trying to squeeze into outfield
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Every spring, the Giants have one minor- league journeyman who plays well enough to force himself into the conversation about the Opening Day roster. This year, it’s outfielder Gorkys Hernandez.
No position player has gotten a longer look than Hernandez, a Venezuelan who had 147 plate appearances with the Marlins and Pirates in 2012 and five more with Pittsburgh last year.
That is not a lot of big- league time for a 28- year- old, but he intrigues the Giants with his speed and ability to play center field.
Hernandez has landed in a stiff competition with Jarrett Parker and Mac Williamson for a potential fifth outfield job, but the two homegrown guys are corner outfielders.
Hernandez said he turned down minor- league contract offers from three of his former organizations, the Pirates, Marlins and Royals, to sign a similar deal with the Giants.
“I’m working hard every day to be part of this team,” he said. “I want to be in the playoffs and World Series. I want to say thank you to the Giants for the opportunity.”
He has taken advantage of that opportunity, batting .289 in 44 plate appearances with two doubles, two triples and four steals in four attempts.
The Giants had help recruiting Hernandez from fellow Venezuelan and longtime friend Gregor Blanco, who reminded Hernandez that the Giants gave him the same opportunity to win a job in 2012. Four years later, Blanco has 1,780 big- league plate appearances and two World Series rings.
“I was telling him how good the team is,” Blanco said. “I told him they will give him a good opportunity to play, even in spring training. I told him if he ever gets into a situation he can sign with the Giants, he should sign here.”
Hernandez’s bat has kept him out of the majors, but Giants evaluators have seen a recent improvement. He had a good winter in Venezuela — as Blanco did four years ago — leading the Caribes with a .333 average and .412 on- base percentage. Cueto’s work: Johnny Cueto had an encouraging six- inning start in a camp game against Giants minor- leaguers. He allowed a run on six hits and a walk with four strikeouts. He also picked off two runners, one at second base.
More important, he reached 74 pitches ( 50 strikes), catching him up with the starters who have been healthy all spring. His off- speed pitches, particularly his changeup, were ahead of his fastball command.
“I’m working on things,” he said, through translator Erwin Higueros. “I’m trying to get my rhythm. I see a lot of pitches up. When they turn on the lights when the season starts, everything will be different.”
Cueto again showed some “testiculos” — his word — when he squared to bunt against a pitcher who was in rookie ball last year. The first pitch was high and tight and nearly hit Cueto’s head as the ball ticked off his bat. Cueto took a shot off his head last Monday on a line drive.
“You can’t be afraid,” Cueto said. “You have to be a man when you’re playing baseball.” Roster cuts: The Giants trimmed their camp roster by eight. They optioned left- handers Ty Blach and Steven Okert and right- hander Clayton Blackburn to Triple- A and reassigned pitchers Ricky Romero and Vin Mazzaro, shortstop Hak Ju- Lee and outfielder Ryan Lollis and infielder/ outfielder Kyle Blanks to minor- league camp.