This one is a bit more complex than other positions because the Giants did not really have a starting second baseman last year, partly by design and partly due to multiple IL trips for multiple players. Donnie Barrels will turn 34 yo in December and is a free agent. He is coming off down season compared to the previous two but still put up 1.1 fWAR and hit .338 over his last 30 games. He's going to get a nice little payday from some team.
MLB:
Tommy La Stella(under contract): La Stella was signed to a 3-year contract to be the bigger half of a platoon at 2B, but lost most of the season due to injuries. He underwent Achilles tendon surgery right after the Giants postseason ended with a projected recovery time of 4 months which makes him iffy for the start of the regular season. Another burning question for FZ is does he try to get by at 2B until Tommy returns or does he look for an upgrade and deal with the logjam when and if?
Wilmer Flores($3.5 M team option/$250 K buyout): Flores could be the RH half of a 2B platoon although the Giants may prefer to maintain his versatility and he's not great defensively.
Thairo Estrada(pre-arbitation): Estrada seems to have jumped ahead of Mauricio Dubon for a super-utility role including the ability to play SS. Is he ready to get off the Sacramento shuttle for a full season role?
Mauricio Dubon(pre-arbitation): Dubon's future suddenly looks very cloudy as the bat never fully developed. Struggles at the plate may have a negative impact on the field.
AAA: There are no significant 2B prospects at MLB level. Look for a minor league FA signing or two.
AA:
Simon Whiteman stole 17 bases but hit just .236 with no power. Probably not a true MLB caliber prospect.
A+:
Brett Auerbach slashed .256/.333/.533 with 15 HR and 18 SB for Eugene. His ace in the hole is several games behind the plate. A back up catcher who can play other positions or a position player who can also catch is a nice roster asset. He should move up to AA for 2022.
A:
Jimmy Glowenke slashed .256/.367/.444 with 13 HR's for San Jose. He should move up to Eugene for 2022.
Rookie:
Wow! Nothing to see here! Most MLB 2B are converted SS who don't have quite enough arm to play SS at the MLB level anyway.
I am a huge Thairo Estrada fan. In fact I think he should have been on the Giants roster for the NLCS. He may have made a difference. With La Stella, Wilmer Flores, Estrada on the roster, I would think the Giants are well set at this position.
ReplyDeleteWhat about Will Wilson? Is he a possible 2nd baseman?
I would have preferred Estrada to Alex Dickerson on the NLDS roster. Will Wilson had a very rough season. Next year seems like make or break for him. If he can put it together, yes, 2B would be a future option for him.
DeleteBetween Hunter Bishop, Patrick Bailey and Will Wilson, you have to be a bit concerned by the amateur scouting early in the FZ era although Bailey started to hit after a demotion to SJ and Bishop is showing signs of life in the AFL.
especially 12 million for Wilson.
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