San Francisco Giants Stock Watch: Battle for the Bench, Week 4

Entering the final week of spring training, the San Francisco Giants are still trying to figure out who will make the opening day roster on their bench

As Spring Training continues to wind down, the battle to earn a spot on the San Francisco Giants‘ opening day bench has gotten a bit more close-knit. Two competitors are out of the running, as the Giants re-assigned non-roster players Kyle Blanks and Hak-Ju Lee to minor league camp. That leaves eight players left vying for just a few spots on the bench.

The Giants are reportedly leaning towards keeping 13 pitchers on the opening day for the second consecutive year, as they will need to traverse a tough schedule to start the year. With 22 games in the first 23 days of the year, keeping an extra reliever will help keep everyone a bit fresher as they get back into the swing of things, although keeping a short bench, yet again, is not a popular choice. The four-man bench will likely consist of a backup catcher, a fourth outfielder (Gregor Blanco), and two utility infielders (with Kelby Tomlinson being one of them).

With seven games left before the wins and losses start counting again, here’s the fourth, and what will be the final, stock watch for the Giants’ battle for the bench.

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Stock WAY Up: Trevor Brown

Trevor Brown didn’t exactly blow the doors off this past week like in weeks before, and was in fact sidelined for a couple games after being hit on the arm by a swing followthrough, but his stock shoots up as Andrew Susac is still sidelined with problems in his surgically repaired wrist. The Giants will need a backup catcher, and if Susac isn’t good to go on opening day, Brown is their man. In 10 at-bats over week four, Brown collected a pair of hits including a double, and drove in a pair of runs.

Stock Down: Ramiro Pena

Experienced big leaguer Ramiro Pena entered camp as a long shot to make the team in the first place, but an 0-11 over the past week has really left his stock in the red. With Tomlinson basically locked in to his job, and other players having more impressive springs, Pena should be on his way to minor league camp soon as the Giants whittle away their roster. Given his experience and versatility, Pena will be a nice insurance policy to stash away in Triple-A Sacramento.

Stock Up: Ehire Adrianza

A stronger Ehire Adrianza has come into camp and taken hold of a job on the opening day roster. He had another strong week with the bat, collecting seven hits in 17 at-bats, including two doubles to bring his team-leading total to six. He’s also continued to play his usual strong defense, and has played a few extra positions as well. Aside from his normal spots at shortstop and second base, he’s gotten time at first and third, and even played outfield in a minor league camp game with the expectation of doing so more before the spring ends. That added level of versatility only helps Adrianza’s case.

Stock Down: Gorkys Hernandez

Playing time for surprising non-roster outfielder Gorkys Hernandez has dipped with starting center fielder Denard Span getting more time in his rightful place, but Hernandez has still managed to play pretty well in fewer chances. He knocked three hits, including a double, in seven at-bats, but has had a couple hiccups defensively. With a lot of guys on the depth chart in front of him, Hernandez never had a great chance to make the opening day squad, but like Pena, he’ll be a nice piece to have in the organization just in case.

Stock Down: Jarrett Parker

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With the only extra outfield spot projected on the opening day roster already filled by Blanco, Parker’s chances have decreased. He batted .285 in week four, picking up six hits (including a triple) in 21 at-bats, but didn’t hit one out of the park, which has been his calling card so far. Parker probably starts the year in Triple-A, but when (hopefully not ‘if’) the Giants decide to add a player to make for a five-man bench, Parker could be the one getting the call.

Stock Up: Conor Gillaspie

Conor Gillaspie enjoyed his best week at the plate in round four, picking up five hits in 15 at-bats, hitting his second home run and driving in three runs. Unfortunately for Gillaspie, his good performance may be too little, too late, as others around him have been playing better throughout the exhibition season. Instead, Gillaspie probably adds another experienced big league hitter to the organization.

Stock Down: Mac Williamson

Mac Williamson tore the cover off the ball through the first three weeks of the spring, but his red-hot bat cooled off a bit in week four. He racked up three hits in 14 at-bats, and didn’t hit a home run in the week for the first time this spring. Williamson’s blazing start won’t be forgotten, but he’ll have a hard time forcing his way onto the roster as the exhibition season comes to a close. He’ll also be a candidate for that call-up when the bench expands.

Next: Not Yet Time to Fret over Giants' Pitching

Stock Up: Grant Green

Grant Green had a pretty rough go of things in the third week of spring, collecting just a single in 10 at-bats, but bounced back with a much better fourth week. Among his three hits over the past week were a double and a home run, his first of the spring. He also drove in three runs to bring his total up to seven on the spring. But like Gillaspie, this good week may be too little and too late. He’ll most likely be headed to the minor leagues to begin his season very soon.

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