Second base is one of the more interesting positions for the Giants as they start the offseason without a true incumbent although there is no shortage of candidates on the current 40-man roster. Let's break it down:
MLB:
Marcelo Mayer: DOB: 12/12/2002. B-L, T-R. 6' 3", 188 lbs. 3 Options, Arb Eligible 2029, Free Agent 2032.
2026(AAA): .353/.421/.588, HR, 10.5 BB%, 47.4%, 19 PA.
2026(MLB-2 teams): .209/.275/.295, 3 HR, 3 SB, 7.3 BB%, 20.8 K%, 245 PA.
Jonah Cox: DOB: 8/4/2001. B-R, T-R. 6' 2", 204 lbs. 3 Options. Arb Eligible 2029. Free Agent 2032.
2026(AA): .400/.453/.644, 11 2B, 5 3B, 6 HR, 27 SB, 8.7 BB%, 16.9 K%, 183 PA.
2026(AAA): .468/.519/.660, 4 2B, 3B, HR, 7 SB, 9.6 BB%, 17.3 K%, 52 PA.
2026(MLB): .252/.298/.384, 4 2B, 2 3B, 4 HR, 16 SB, 5.9 BB%, 38.5 K%, 169 PA.
Casey Schmitt: DOB: 3/1/1999. B-R, T-R. 6' 0", 215 lbs. 1 Option. Arb Eligible 2027, Free Agent 2030.
2026 MLB: .271/.301/.483, 17 2B, 3B, 21 HR, 9 SB, 2.7 BB%, 19.8 K%, 409 PA.
Osleivis Basabe: DOB: 9/13/2000. B-R, T-R. 5' 11", 197 lbs. 1 Option. Arb Eligible ?, Free Agent ?
2026(AAA): .268/.344/388, 5 HR, 12 SB, 9.6 BB%, 10.9 K%, 311 PA.
2026(MLB): .202/.268/.341, 5 HR, 2 SB, 6.3 BB%, 20.2 K%, 143 PA.
Christian Koss: DOB: 1/27/1998. B-R, T-R. 6' 1", 185 lbs.
2026(MLB): .217/.257/.305, 6 2B, 4 HR, 5 SB, 4.1 BB%, 26.7 K%, 221 PA.
Nate Furman: DOB: 7/23/2001. B-L, T-R. 5' 8", 173 lbs.
2026(AAA): .293/.377/.414, 25 2B, 3B, 7 HR, 19 SB, 11.1 BB%, 11.8 K%, 468 PA
2026(MLB): .125/.243/.125, 12.8 BB%, 25.6 K%, 39 PA.
Each of these 6 players has something going for them but there is probably not room on the 40-man roster for all 6. Nate Furman will almost certainly be DFA'd when 40-man rosters are set for the Rule 5 Draft. Basabe is on the bubble. Jonah Cox is primarily an outfielder but showed surprising agility around the keystone and game-changing speed in a late-season audition. Christian Koss is probably the best defensive shortstop so that gives him added defensive flexibility. Second base is one of two positions where Casey Schmitt could play in a full time role but interestingly he is listed as an outfielder. What struck me in Buster Posey's end-of-season interview with Alex Pavlovic if how convinced he seems that Marcelo Mayer is a true post-hype sleeper and a potential star. It sure sounded to me and I think to Alex and Cole Kuiper that the starting 2B job is his to lose in spring training.
AAA:
Diego Velasquez: DOB: 10/1/203. B-S, T-R. 6' 0", 208 lbs. Rule 5 Eligible
2026(AA): .295/.384/.406, 19 2B, 4 HR, 21 SB, 11.1 BB%, 16.5 K%, 334 PA.
2026(AAA): .283/.381/.400, 12 2B, 3B, SB, 12.0 BB%, 19.7 K%, 142 PA.
Velasquez seems like the forgotten prospect. I could see a savvy GM grabbing him in the Rule 5 Draft.
AA:
Dayson Croes: DOB: 10/8/1999. B-L, T-R. 5' 10", 199 lbs. Rule 5 Eligible Dec. 2028.
2026(AA): .277/.336/.371, 14 2B, 3 3B, 2 HR, 6 SB, 6.8 BB%, 12.4 K%, 307 PA.
2026(AAA): .280/.341/.387, 5 2B, HR, 2 SB, 5.7 BB%, 10.3 K%, 87 PA.
Kaeden Kent: DOB: 8/29/2003. B-L, T-R. 6' 2", 200 lbs. Rule 5 Eligible Dec. 2028.
2026(A+- 2 teams): .298/.350/.440, 24 2B, 2 3B, 8 HR, 24 SB, 7.5 BB%, 16.0 K%, 400 PA.
Croes is a hit machine but not much power. Gotta think Kaeden Kent is going to get every chance to advance in the organization. He's tearing it up in early Arizona Fall League competition.
A+:
Isaiah Barkett: DOB: 11/17/2003. B-R, T-R. 5' 10", 191 lbs. Rule 5 Eligible Dec. 2028.
2026(A): .331/.411/.474, 23 2B, 2 3B, 5 HR, 18 SB, 11.4 K%, 8.2 BB%, 341 PA
2026(A+): .297/.381/.405, 2B, HR, SB, 9.5 BB%, 9.5 K%, 42 PA.
Showed tremendous bat control and contact skills with limited power over two levels.
A:
Lorenzo Meola: DOB: 12/17/2003. B-R, T-R. 5' 11", 180 lbs. Rule 5 Eligible Dec. 2028.
2026(A): .273/.314/.470, 40 2B, 5 3B, 15 HR, 9.5 BB%, 24.3 K%, 549 PA.
Luke Nixon: DOB: 10/1/2004. B-L, T-R. 5' 10", 165 lbs. Rule 5 Eligible Dec. 2029.
2026(College): .367/.452, 595, 16 2B, 3 3B, 9 HR, 11 SB, 12.1 BB%, 14.0 K%, 257 PA.
2026(A): .213/.315/.277, 3 2B, 2 SB, 13.0 BB%, 20.4 K%, 54 PA.
We've talked about how Meola's bat improved over the course of the season. He should move up to A+ with Luke "Son of Trot" Nixon starting next season in San Jose.
ACL:
Yulian Barreto: DOB: 9/20/2007. B-R, T-R. 5' 10", 201 lbs. Rule 5 Eligible Dec. 2029.
2026(ACL): .242/.331/.329, 5 2B, 3B, 2 HR, 5 SB, 8.1 BB%, 25.4 K%, 173 PA.
Signed in the same international class as Josuar Gonzalez. Will probably start next season back in the ACL.
Buster's contracts for Devers, Adames, Chapman, Houser, and Bader eat up 5 spots on the 40-man roster that that will complicate the prospects that the Giants can protect next month.
ReplyDeleteOTOH, how the 5 perform in 2027 will affect SF's ability to compete this coming year, whether they can even return to being a .500 team. (Bader probably won't help.)
Hopefully they can void Bader's contract...player's union needs to acknowledge the gross misbehavior that justifies such action
ReplyDeleteJung Hoo is another complication.
ReplyDeleteJung Hoo's contract is $23 million for 2027 and $20.5 million each year for 2028 and 2029. For July, August, and September, he hit .230 with 5 home runs. $65 million for streaky production is a lot.
DeleteMy thoughts: Mayer’s draft pedigree and potential, along with the fact he was the focus in a 2-for-1 trade, likely means he will be given the first shot at the starting 2B job and a reasonably long leash. Cox could spell Mayer when he’s not in CF but he really needs to cut down on the K’s. Imagine what a weapon he would be if he can improve his OBP by even 50 points! Schmitt will probably have the starting LF job to start the season based on his performance in an abbreviated 2026 and because he bats RH. I agree, Velasquez fits the profile of a sneaky good Rule 5 pickup. Interestingly, the players who actually fit the Giants contact hitting profile are mostly in the lower minors, while those in the upper minors are in a tenuous position with regards to the 40 man roster if they don’t match the profile the FO is targeting.
ReplyDeleteI have a feeling Schmitt will be traded for a controllable starting pitcher. Maybe Emerson Hancock from Seattle.
DeleteThank you Dr. B. The position by position write ups are really informative.
ReplyDeleteHear, hear!
DeleteThe Giants roster cuts to the 40-man will be brutal.
ReplyDeleteThe 40-man roster protection deadline for the Rule 5 Draft is November 18 at 3:00 PM Pacific, 1 month 4 days away. They have 40 players on their 40-man roster and 17 players on the 60-day injured list, plus how many others do they need to protect? Willie Mays Plaza will be covered with blood...
The non-tender deadline (teams must tender contracts to arbitration-eligible or pre-arbitration players on the 40-man roster) is November 21. More blood in the Plaza?
Wouldn't the better defensive alignment for 2027 be Adames at 2nd and Mayer at SS? They're not going anywhere with Willy's defense at short.
ReplyDeleteHow SWEET it is, albeit too early to celebrate, but Snell gives up 3 HRs and Brewers take the lead and, please the Fates, please hang on...
ReplyDeleteThe health of Chapman and Meyer will determine what they decide with Schmitt. In Chapman's case, cores are tricky. In Meyer's situation, he needs to show he can stay healthy for a sustained period of time. I can see them moving Schmitt at the trade deadline if Chapman and Meyer are okay but its probably best to hang onto him for now. Casey still has a low walk rate and low OBA and that might be a reason for them to want to try to swing a deal while they can.
ReplyDelete