San Francisco Giants: First-Quarter Progress Report
Offense
Key stats:
- 4th in MLB: 51 home runs
- 4th in NL: .402 slugging percentage
- 4th in NL: 192 runs
- 1st in MLB: 78 runs with 2 outs and runners in scoring position
The Giants’ offense is much improved this season, mostly because of their power hitting. Their lack of power was one of the main reasons why they had such a poor season last year. They hit only 107 home runs last season, which ranked 29th in MLB.
Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Morse, Hicks, Buster Posey, and Brandon Belt (before he went down with his thumb injury) have all significantly contributed to the Giants’ resurgence in the power category. Morse currently leads the team with 10 home runs, Belt has nine, Posey has seven, and Hicks has seven. Brandon Crawford also has five, and Hunter Pence and Pablo Sandoval’s power bats haven’t woken up yet.
Belt’s absence due to injury might slow down the Giants’ power numbers a little, but if Pence and Sandoval get going soon with their power bats, the Giants could continue to be one of the best power-hitting teams in MLB. If they can do that, they will certainly remain atop the NL West with their stellar pitching too.