San Francisco Giants Off-Day Offerings: Thursday, April 20th

The San Francisco Giants have an off-day, giving the fans a lot of time to sit on some thoughts before they begin a three-game series at Coors Field.

Well, another day off already? That was quick. After playing 13 straight games since their last off-day, the Giants get two in four days. They’ll use the free day to travel to Colorado to take on the Rockies over the weekend.

Normally, heading to the weird baseball factory that is Coors Field would be no cause for celebration, but after another flat offensive series in Kansas City, maybe the hitting heaven is the best place to be. They’ve hit just two home runs in the past nine games (both coming last Friday against the Rockies), so a small ballpark could be just what they need to get some confidence back in those bats.

On the other hand, Tyler Chatwood is going in the series opener on Friday. The last time he faced the Giants, he threw a complete game, two-hit shutout and he is 6-3 with a 2.55 ERA and 1.149 WHIP against the Giants in 13 games (12 starts).

During the last Off-Day’s Offerings, I wondered about Mac Williamson‘s status, and an answer was received on Wednesday. He began a rehab assignment with the San Jose Giants, playing left field in game one of a doubleheader. Hitting third, Williamson collected a single and hit into a line drive out, and also went first-to-third with relative ease, a good sign that his quad injury is behind him

Also in the San Jose lineup on Wednesday was Michael Morse, and he also collected a hit and scored a run while serving as the designated hitter. There’s a good chance one or both of those guys are in the big leagues soon, trying to solve this left field black hole. The combined .125/.194/.214 slash-line from the crop of players being thrown out there just won’t cut it.

Maybe a lineup shakeup is in order in the meantime, but it’s difficult to piece together a lineup right now, with a lot of hitters going cold at the same time again. Eduardo Nunez would fit in the leadoff spot, but he’s collected just two hits in his last 21 at-bats. Brandon Belt has a better stroke working after an early slump, but he’s still not hitting a lot of balls hard. The same goes for Buster Posey, who seemed to either sneak a groundball through the infield for a hit or strike out while flailing in his first two games back from the disabled list. Joe Panik certainly should be a candidate to move up in the order with his .300/.368/.420 slash-line, however.

On the topic of minor leaguers, the Giants’ top two prospects put on some great displays on Wednesday. Christian Arroyo, playing shortstop again, picked up four hits in five at-bats, including his fourth double of the season, and his second home run in as many days. His average continues to shoot towards the sky, now sitting at an incredible .479 in his first 12 Triple-A games. He’s collected a hit in every game so far as a member of the River Cats. He’s struck out just four times in 51 plate appearances (7.8 percent strikeout rate).

On the mound, Tyler Beede bounced back from a rough start in the Salt Lake launching pad. Facing the same Salt Lake team but back in Sacramento, Beede allowed three hits (all singles) and three walks in 6.2 shutout innings, striking out four and coaxing a double play. He retired nine of the first 10 batters he faced before allowing his first hit, a leadoff single in the fourth, but immediately turned around and got a double-play grounder. He was left with a no-decision after the bullpen gave up six runs in the eighth inning.