While Catchers seems to be the most unsettled position on the Giants roster thus requiring its own separate post, plenty of questions remain about the infield. We'll take them in order, 1B through SS.
First Base:
The FZ and Kap clearly want 1B to be a platoon with Lamonte Wade Jr on the strong side with Wilmer Flores and/or J. D. Davis on the short side. The problem with that plan is while LaMonte was terrific for much of 2021, he kind of cratered at the end and then struggled all last season while battling a persistent injury to his knee. Granted, spring training stats don't mean much but you would hope to see better than a .185/.179/.400. That's right, his OBP is less than his BA and that comes with a 25% K rate. Seeing Joc Pederson get reps at 1B suggests that FZ and Kap are also getting a bit nervous about LMWJ taking up 2/3's of the 1B PAs.
Meanwhile, J. D. Davis put up solid numbers after his trade to the Giants last season and has continued to do so this spring. I am fairly confident that if they made him the full time 1B and gave him 600 PA's over the season, Davis would give you 30+ HR's with solid BA/OBP numbers. That's what I would do if it were up to me.
Second Base:
This is Thairo Estrada's position and as I said in a recent post, I think he is poised, maybe not for a breakout, but for another level of production due to a convergence of physical maturity and experience at age 27. The problem for Thairo is he is also the backup SS and Crawford's health is anything but a given and he could very well start the season on the IL. It's also not a given that the Giants will carry a true reserve MI who can play both SS and 2B. Of the two possibilities, Brett Wisely seems to have the inside track over Isan Diaz despite Diaz putting up better offensive numbers this spring.
Third Base:
This is David Villar's to lose. He got off to a very slow start then just as he seemed to be heating up, suffered a minor injury. He hit a double in his first game back. Hopefully he ramps up nicely to start the season. Casey Schmitt is making a LOT of noise in camp both offensively and defensively and looks like the Giants 3B of the future. Will Villar be able to move to another position? Will he hit well enough to make that worthwhile? Could he become trade bait? Lots to watch here.
Shortstop:
Brandon Crawford is the undisputed SS unless he is injured which he is at this time. What's the back up plan? Can Thairo Estrada handle full time SS? Can he play 162 games? Will the Giants carry a backup who can play both MI spots like Brett Wisely? Can Casey Schmitt play the position at the MLB level? Again, lots going on here.
.....and where in all this does Wilmer Flores fit in?
This roster is saturated with mediocre talent! This is a direct result of the roster churn over the years that leaves them with many options for the same positions but no clear favorites. None of their options are above average either. At this point wouldn’t we all prefer to see what Schmidt can do as opposed to a combination of Villar, Davis, Wilmer, Wisely, and whoever else Farhan thinks could be the next Muncy/Taylor at 3B? I hope they pull the plug quick if things start to go south early this year and let the kids play/tank for a high pick finally.
ReplyDeleteI don't completely agree with this take, although I can understand why you would feel this way. I honestly think if you give J. D. Davis 600 PA's he'll hit 30+ HR's. I honestly think Thairo Estrada has another level and this could be the year he finds it. I honestly think David Villar also has 30+ HR potential. I am not feeling so optimistic about Crawford, Flores and LMJ
DeleteI mostly agree. I look at Estrada's defensive metrics and he's a poor defender at 2B and worse at SS yet lacks the offense to make up for it. The presumptive OF is a hot mess with guys who can't field or can't hit or both and Yastremski has been getting worse each year. Wade Jr. is completely lopsided and his resume is two hot months (either May/June or June/July) when he was called up in 2021 and has been mediocre since. Crawford really looked done last year and I just have my doubts he'll find the fountain-of-youth a second time. I have zero-faith in the 1B platoon.
DeleteI do like Villar. I think Pederson should be okay in RF/LF though I can't imagine him being GG OFer. I'd rather move Villar to 1B, Schmitt to 3B (and be the back-up to Crawford) and try Sabol (who has played in the OF in the minors) in RF/LF while sometimes platooning him at 1B and catcher to see where he will ultimately stick.
Not that money in the millions seems to mean much to a major league team, but Crawford, Flores, and LMJ will collectively get $22,88M this year which might pay for a regular something.
ReplyDeleteJoc cannot play LF never mind RF the numbers and the eyes say he is a regular DH maybe he can play 1B but he cannot play the OF on anything other than an emergency basis
ReplyDeleteCasey Schmitt call up to play SS if Craw is injured?
ReplyDelete