SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — While it’s not quite the midpoint of the Cactus League schedule, the San Francisco Giants are officially closer to Opening Day in San Diego than the day most reported for camp. That said, there have been some significant additions since pitchers and catchers held their first workout almost a month ago.
Despite posturing from president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi, that late signings risk disrupting the group already assembled, no team has been more aggressive in scooping up free agents who waited out the slow-moving market all the way into spring training.
Since we last projected the group of 26 to break camp with the big-league club, Zaidi has brought in an everyday third baseman, an everyday cleanup hitter and a veteran shortstop who may well challenge their top prospect for the Opening Day nod. How do Matt Chapman, Jorge Soler and Nick Ahmed fit into the picture?
Take a look at our updated projection, below.
Note: Changes in italics
Catchers (2): Patrick Bailey, Tom Murphy
The most ripped player in the clubhouse might be Murphy, who conversely has been made of glass for most of his major-league career.
Their backup to Bailey has made it through camp healthy so far, though, meaning Joey Bart is still likely in a new organization by Opening Day or shortly thereafter.
Infielders (5): Nick Ahmed, Matt Chapman, Thairo Estrada, Wilmer Flores, LaMonte Wade Jr.
Chapman, 30, has never missed more than a month’s worth of games in seven major-league seasons. A left side of the infield consisting of him and Ahmed would have six Gold Glove awards between them, and it must be an enticing option for manager Bob Melvin, who is well aware of the ground-ball tendencies of his pitching staff.
The successor to Brandon Crawford at shortstop has long been earmarked as Luciano, their top position player prospect finally in position to seize the job. However, the two shortstops couldn’t have gotten off to much more disparate starts this spring. In eight at-bats, Ahmed, 33, has more home runs (two) than the 22-year-old Luciano has hits (one) in 13 at-bats.
As for J.D. Davis, who had his role usurped by his college teammate for a second time, place the incumbent third baseman’s name right below Bart’s on the Giants’ trade block. Both players should end up on a major-league roster in some capacity, even if it’s not in San Francisco.
Outfielders (4): Michael Conforto, Jung Hoo Lee, Austin Slater, Mike Yastrzemski
A more muscular Luis Matos has been the most impressive player in camp, leading the team with three home runs and four extra-base hits in 19 at-bats. But he also has minor-league options, and the Giants have no shortage of outfielders or right-handed hitters.
Utility (1): Tyler Fitzgerald
Fitzgerald, 24, has also opened eyes in camp with his athleticism and ability to play shortstop and center field.
He and Otto Lopez, a waiver trade acquisition entering camp, fit the profile of what Zaidi described to The Athletic as what the Giants are seeking for the final spot on their bench. “The last spot has to be someone who plays infield and outfield and can come off the bench and steal a base,” he said.
Designated hitter (1): Jorge Soler
Between Lee in the leadoff spot and Soler hitting cleanup, the Giants should have more continuity in their lineup than at any point during Gabe Kapler’s tenure.
After acquiring the slugger — who has two 30-homer seasons since any Giants batter last accomplished the feat — Melvin joked that they would encase him in bubble wrap to ensure he’s healthy for Opening Day. So far, so good, though that means he has yet to see the outfield this spring.
Starting pitchers (5): Logan Webb, Kyle Harrison, Jordan Hicks, Keaton Winn, Mason Black
First, Winn’s elbow started acting up after a bullpen session. Then, a vascular specialist diagnosed Tristan Beck with an aneurysm in his pitching arm. And, if the Giants weren’t already in enough of a bind, Sean Hjelle’s name was added to the latest injury report with a right elbow sprain.
Still, with Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery unsigned, Zaidi is holding strong in his insistence to rely on the Giants’ crop of young arms to fill their rotation behind Logan Webb and Jordan Hicks, a converted reliever who has made only eight major-league starts himself.
“We talked about this being the plan all along, that we want to elevate our young pitchers,” Zaidi said Sunday. “You have to take the leap with them at some point, and this is something that we’ve been planning for a couple years, to get younger in our rotation and give these guys opportunities to win jobs.”
While Winn is still expected to be ready for Opening Day, Hjelle was one of the top candidates to fill the fifth spot of the rotation vacated by Beck. He won’t throw again for two weeks, nearly until the end of camp, before being re-evaluated.
It’s no coincidence that the club brought another entrant, Spencer Bivens, into the mix as a non-roster invitee.
But if Zaidi wants to go the youthful route, the obvious choice is Black, who made strides in his second spring start and represents the most polished internal option. The hurdle for him, like any non-roster player, will be finding a place on the 40-man roster at the end of spring.
Relief pitchers (8): Camilo Doval, Tyler Rogers, Taylor Rogers (L), Ryan Walker, Luke Jackson, Erik Miller (L), Ethan Small (L)
With six strikeouts in 3⅔ innings, and only one run allowed, Small has made a big name for himself early in camp. The former Brewers’ first-round pick has put himself in good position to make the roster, whether Melvin opts to carry two lefties in his bullpen or three.
Projected starting lineups
vs. RHP
1. Jung Hoo Lee, CF
2. Thairo Estrada, 2B
3. LaMonte Wade Jr., 1B
4. Jorge Soler, DH
5. Michael Conforto, LF
6. Matt Chapman, 3B
7. Mike Yastrzemski, RF
8. Patrick Bailey, C
9. Nick Ahmed, SS
vs. LHP
1. Jung Hoo Lee, CF
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2. Thairo Estrada, 2B
3. Wilmer Flores, 1B
4. Jorge Soler, DH
5. Michael Conforto, LF
6. Matt Chapman, 3B
7. Austin Slater, RF
8. Patrick Bailey, C
9. Nick Ahmed, SS