Spring Training Game Wrap 3/14/2025: Brewers 11 Giants 5

There were a few individual bright spots for the Giants in a rough game for most of the pitchers in a road loss.  Key Lines:

Heliot Ramos LF- 0 for 4, 3 K's.  BA= .200.  Ouch.  I watched his first AB on Gameday and he swung through the first 3 pitches of the game.  Ouch!  I doubt Ramos loses his starting LF job in spring training but he could be on a very short leash if Matos keeps hitting.

Luis Matos CF- 2 for 3, HR(2), BB.  BA= .364.  Matos is having a great spring.  Probably significant that he started in CF and didn't hurt himself with a leaping catch above the wall.  

David Villar 1B- 1 for 2, HR(2), BB.  BA= .250.  Not saying this is going to happen but a comment about Fitz possibly filling in at SS made me rethink the whole bench scheme which would avoid giving Villar away for basically nothing in return.  As long as they are healthy, at least 6 of the Giants starting 8 position players can go pretty much every day, excluding catcher which has a separate backup, and 1B which will most likely be a LMWJ/Wilmer platoon.  If they carry 13 batters on the roster that leaves just 3 spots for DH/Bench.  I have assumed they would need one bench spot for someone who can back up SS and another who can back up CF.  But as our commenter pointed out, as long as they are healthy, Lee and Adames are going to play almost every game.  If it is just an occasional game either Fitz or Chapman could fill in at SS and YtY or Ramos could cover CF.  If Lee or Adames gets hurt, they can call someone up from the minors. Again, not saying its going to happen or that it's even likely but in that scenario a 5 person Bench/DH could be Huff, Flores, Encarnacion, Lamb and Villar.  That gives you the veteran lefty bat off the bench and for DH and keeps them from having to DFA the two guys who are out of options.(I have to say Encarnacion has cooled off a lot and with the way Matos is hitting I am less convinced Encarnacion is a lock to make the team).

Jake Lamb DH- 1 for 3, 2B.  BA= .364.  Speaking of Lamb, he's having a strong spring although he has a history of strong springs which have not accurately forecast his regular season performances.

Christian Koss SS- 2 for 3.  BA- .357.  If the Giants think they need utility IF who can pick it at SS, Koss is certainly stating his case.  He would have to be added to the 40-man roster, though.

Lisbel Diaz RF- 1 for 1, HR(1).  BA= .500.  He's just 19 yo and has two strong pro seasons of experience.  He's definitely on my potential breakout prospect list for 2025.

Jordan Hicks RHP- 2.2 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 1 BB, 1 K, GO/AO= 5/2.  ERA= 9.45.  Hicks got through the first two innings smoothly but ran into trouble in the 3'rd.  A one out walk, line drive single and flyball single to RF where Jerar Encarnacion was playing(would YtY have caught it?) loaded the bases.  Christian Yelich showed he still has something in the tank with grand slam HR, his third of the spring.

Lou Trivino RHP- 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 0.00.  Trivino continues to put a lock on a roster spot out of the bullpen.

Logan Webb RHP makes his fourth spring start tomorrow against the Mariners in Scottsdale.

Landen Roupp RHP went 5 innings in a game in minor league camp.  He struck out 13, that's right, 13 batters in 5 IP with 1 hit and 1 walk allowed.  What's interesting is Bob Melvin did not make the road trip and instead went to Papago to watch Roupp's game.  From the stat line, it sure seems like he saw whatever he was looking for from Roupp.