Kapler seeks input from his players
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Communication is the most important part of a manager’s job description, and Giants manager Gabe Kapler is going above and beyond this spring.
Kapler, along with president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi and general manager Scott Harris, is meeting with individual players each afternoon to hear what’s on everyone’s mind. With 72 players in camp, that’s a lot of meetings, four a day for 20 minutes or more each.
“We’re talking about things they’re working on, reiterating strengths they showed last year — but what we really want is to hear from the players, what they’re thinking as we’re starting camp,” Kapler said Friday. “It’s going really well. We want to let them into the process — we want players to be involved in their own development plan.”
Kapler has also told players they are welcome to stop by his office to go over upcoming lineups and current depth charts so they understand where they stand.
“Players don’t want the ball hidden from them, so we’re opening the door up and being direct,” he said. “Getting through all of them is a challenge, but we’re giving each of them assurance that we value them and these conversations are very important to us.”
The interactions have been positive and enlightening. For example, Kapler said, outfielder Alex Dickerson came in to ask about the depth charts because he wondered if he might need to take grounders at first base. “He wasn’t trying to avoid work, he wanted to be responsible and make sure he’s doing whatever he can,” Kapler said. “I really appreciated that.”
While some players aren’t too bothered about advance notice — infielder Wilmer Flores said he takes grounders everywhere and he’s always ready to go wherever needed — most players like a head’s up. “It’s always great to know ahead of time how the manager is going to use us,” said infielder Donovan Solano, “especially if we’re going to play different positions so that you can not only get yourself mentally ready but then also work at it.”
⏩ Kapler said Conner Menez will start Sunday’s Cactus League opener against the Angels, a game that will go seven innings. Also pitching that day will be a slew of nonroster invitees: Sam Long, Jay Jackson, Zack Littell, Sam Wolff, Tyler Cyr and Jimmie Sherfy. The Giants are planning to go seven innings each of their first five games, then reassess.
⏩ The Giants claimed righthander Jordan Humphreys, 24, off waivers from the Indians. They’d also acquired Humphreys last August in the deal that sent outfielder Billy Hamilton to the Mets, and Humphreys pitched at the team’s alternate site in Sacramento. Humphreys has primarily been a starter in the minors but also can work in relief, and he has some sparkly minorleague numbers: a 2.60 ERA in four seasons with 177 strikeouts and 30 walks in 1692⁄3 innings. To make room for Humphreys, righthander Tyler Beede, returning from Tommy John surgery, was placed on the 60day injured list.
⏩ Righthander Trevor Gott cleared waivers and was outrighted to TripleA Sacramento, and he will remain in camp as a nonroster invitee.
⏩ Pitchers who stood out during live batting practice Friday: Tyler Rogers, Caleb Baragar, Matt Wisler and Silvino Bracho.