Spring Training Game Wrap 2/28/2020: Giants 3 Royals 1

The Giants split the squad to play 2 games and won both.  This one featured a big offensive game from Darren Ruf and more tremendous pitching.  Key Lines:

Buster Posey DH- 2 for 3.  BA= .222.  Buster gets his first two hits of the spring, both singles.

Darren Ruf 1B- 2 for 2, HR(1), BB. BA= .286.  Ruf gets his first hits of the spring and shows his power.  He could be a potent RH bat off the bench or a RH platoon bat.  With Pablo Sandoval likely to start the season on the DL, Ruf has a chance to make the Opening Day roster. Positional limitations are in issue though.

Dereck Rodriguez RHP- 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K.  ERA= 0.00.  DRod was impressive in his first start but gave up 2 unearned runs due to 3 errors behind him.   He throws 2 shutout innings here.

Andrew Suarez LHP- 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K's.  ERA= 0.00.  Another impressive appearance for Suarez!  After his ERA hit 10.66 on 8/1/2019 last season, Suarez went 2.57 in 21 IP through the end of the season pitching out of the bullpen.  He's picked up this spring where he left off.  He is stating a strong case for a long relief/swingman role out of the gate.

Carlos Navas(R), Trevor Oaks(R), Sean Hjelle(R), Jake Jewell(R), Trey McNutt(R)- 5 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 4 K's.  Another shutout inning from Sean Hjelle.  McNutt gets the Save, but gives up the lone run of the game for Giants pitching with his ERA sitting at 11.57 in 3 appearances, 2.1 IP.

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It's still early but.....it's starting to look like the Giants have unexpected quality and depth on the pitching staff.  I am sure FZ will use options to maximize his depth, but it also opens up the possibility of trades to fill other gaps, acquire younger, higher ceiling prospects or packages to unload contracts.