The Giants are lucky to have a young, talented ballplayer at a key infield position. That would be 25-yeaer old Patrick Bailey who is one of the most valuable fielders in MLB. He's a switch-hitter without much of a platoon split but has yet to hit at a league average rate (MLB 2024 was .243/.312/.399) over his 801 career PAs. I suspect he will improve as he hits his prime seasons. His superb work behind the plate makes him a crucial building block for the franchise.
Veterans Matt Chapman and Willy Adames give the Giants middle-of-the-order hitters who are also great fielders. Chapman can be other-worldly at times—we saw him make some sensational plays last season. He's known throughout MLB for his glovework. Newcomer Adames doesn't quite have that same reputation but he's no slouch and looks like a perfect fit. Third base and shortstop are well-covered. Pitchers will enjoy having those guys behind them. Buster Posey believes young players need veteran leaders and role models in the clubhouse and these two guys are ideal for that.
And speaking of young players, Tyler Fitzgerald was a bit of a sensation in 2024, smacking 36 XBH in 96 games and making himself useful all over the diamond. The fanbase really needed an exciting debut from a farmhand and Fitz did his best to fulfill that. Going forward Buster says he will be the starting second baseman in 2025. The projections aren't kind to Fitz and they peg him for a big regression. His high K-rate and .380 BABIP get flagged by the computers, but I'm convinced he's a mature hitter and will make the adjustments. He's 27 so the Giants are capturing his prime seasons. I think if expectations aren't too high on him he can be a solid everyday player with some pop. Adames taking over short and moving Fitz to second base is a smart move. If he's going to stick in the bigs it will be with his big stick!
First base is a bit of a conundrum. LaMonte Wade, Jr. and Wilmer Flores make a pretty good platoon pair but injuries limited them both last season. After a sensational 2023 Wilmer had his worst season in 2024. He's 33 and even though he's one of my favorite ballplayers I think this might be the end for him. He's a free agent next year. Wade once again showed off his excellent on-base skills but his power disappeared. There was talk of trading him. He's also a free agent next year so this is probably his last season in orange-and-black. He just turned 31. We all know about super-prospect lefty slugger Bryce Eldridge. If he lights it up in Spring Training or at AAA he could get the call-up early in the season.
Marco Luciano, Brett Wisely, Casey Schmitt, and David Villar are all on the 40-man roster. Both Schmitt and Villar hit at an above-average rate last year. Villar is 27 and this is probably his last shot with the team as he is out of options. Schmitt looked like he could hit but was a real free-swinger. Lefty Wisely could use some plate discipline as well. Luciano looks over-matched but of course he's only 23.
In the backup catching spot(s) they have both young Blake Sabol and old Tom Murphy in the fold. That will work. Switch-hitting Sabol has shown he can hit at this level and Murphy has a solid track record.
--M.C.
2 comments:
I still think getting rid of an inexpensive Bart as the backup catcher was a malpractice move. Also I read all over baseball chronicles how poor the giants farm system is, yet it seems to me we have several young players on the cusp of doing this year what Ramos did last year. One also has to not discount, that Fitzgerald also had a 10 day stretch in the minors similar to that stretch he had in the majors when he was just on fire. I had seen him as an outfielder more that a second baseman but the giants seem to have an abundance of outfielders even with Conforto gone. I see a lot of young giants , if given the opportunity, as possible break out players. The athleticism of McCrae is compelling if he only can make contact. With guys on base who could run like Lee, Fitzgerald and McCrae the giants could add a new dimension to their offense. I still think Matos and Luciano, have the natural ability to be above average hitters. Schmitd also has significant upside potential on both sides of the plate. The young studs for breakout also include young pitchers. Living in South Fla. I saw some young Marlin teams in the past mature, and significantly outperform predictions. I do not think that the giants minor league system was as bad as the baseball writers say it is.
Ramos really took a step forward and at some point Luciano and Matos will, too. Nice to see Fitz emerge--let's hope he can sustain it. Most players really don't put their game together until 24 or 25 and then get about a 3-year peak. Giants seem to have a more promising bunch than they've had in a while.
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