Logan Webb had a major letdown coming off the intensity of the WBC but the lineup picked him up and the Giants took a high-scoring game from the Rockies on the road. Key Lines:
Drew Gilbert DH- 3 for 5, 3B, BB, 2 R. BA= .259. Gilbert got a late start due to injury but stated his case today. Is it too little, too late?
Jared Oliva CF- 2 for 5, 2 2B, SB(13), 2 R, 2 RBI. BA= .351. Oliva has shown he is capable of winning a game with his speed alone. No other player in camp or in recent memory could claim that. And what is the old saying? Speed never slumps? He is also a strong defender in CF. The rest may not matter but he also hit well.
Daniel Susac C- 2 for 3, HR(2), 2 R, RBI. BA= .333. Susac is here as a Rule 5 Draft pick. If he doesn't make the team he must be either traded or offered back to the A's. He came to camp hitting the ball hard and never let up. It's very hard to imagine they would let him go after the spring he had and after trading for his rights.
Eric Haase C- 1 for 1, BB, R, 2 RBI. BA= .286. Haase has had a good spring too. He has an opt-out. Is there a way for the Giants to keep both him and Susac?
Victor Bericoto 1B- 2 for 3, 2B, R, RBI. BA= .474. Bericoto was the best hitter in camp, wire-to-wire.
Jerar Encarnacion 1B- 2 for 2, 2B, R, 2 RBI. BA= .319. Encarnacion is out of options. With the way he came on late I doubt the Giants want to lose him to waivers. With Eldridge's option, Jerar may have won himself a roster spot as a DH and Reserve OF/1B.
Luis Matos RF- 2 for 5, 2B, R, RBI. BA= .283. Matos says "Hey! Don't forget about me!"
Casey Schmitt 3B- 2 for 5, RBI. BA= .311. Schmitt had a strong spring.
Christian Koss SS- 2 for 5, HR(1), 2 R, 2 RBI. BA= .417. Koss may be on the bubble simply because of the numbers game but he has certainly done everything any player could do to make the team. FWIW, he is probably a little better defensive SS than Casey Schmitt. One problem for the Giants is all the players who appear to be in line for reserve roles on the position side bat right handed.
Logan Webb RHP- 4.1 IP, 8 H, 6 R, 1 BB, 3 K's, 8/1 GO/AO. We'll chalk this one up to a letdown coming off the WBC in which Webb performed very well.
J. T. Brubaker RHP- 2 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 2 K's. ERA= 2.45. Brubaker appears to have won himself a swingman/long reliever role.
Juan Sanchez LHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K. ERA= 0.00. Sanchez had a perfect spring but with Erik Miller apparently healthy again and Joey Lucchesi LHP signed late, is there room in the bullpen for him?
While we talked about the Cactus League in the past tense there are 3 more games to go, a split squad tomorrow and a game on Saturday. Adrian Houser RHP starts the home game against the Royals and Spencer Bivens RHP gets the ball for the road game against the Rangers tomorrow.
As we mentioned, Bryce Eldridge was optioned to the minors. Theoretically he could be called back for Opening Day but it would appear he will start the season in AAA to work on strike zone management.
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