San Francisco Giants Interested in Hector Olivera
Earlier this offseason, the San Francisco Giants showed a keen interest in Cuban phenom Yoan Moncada. The team held a private workout for the 19-year-old superstar in the making, and General Manager Brian Sabean is reportedly very high on the youngster.
The Giants have now set their sights on another Cuban stud.
Hector Olivera is another free agent from the island nation who has begun showcasing himself for big league clubs. According to Baseball America’s Ben Badler, the Giants were well-represented at Major League Baseball’s annual national amateur showcase, with their binoculars set solely on Olivera.
In the showcase game on Wednesday, Olivera had a very nice day, going 3-for-3 with two doubles, a walk, and a hit by pitch. In another showcase game last week, Olivera blasted two out of the park.
Olivera has good size, and can even be considered big for his position. He stands six-foot-two, and tips the scales around 220 pounds. For a second baseman, that would make him one of the bigger guys at the position in the big leagues. Reports have it, however, that he would most likely project to be a major league third baseman instead.
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According to Badler’s scouting reports, Olivera has very good bat speed to go along with a nice, easy swing. Olivera isn’t a typical power-hitter, but more an average-hitter with some pop. Badler suggests that he has around 20-home run power. He’s also shown a keen eye, and excellent contact ability. He hit at least .315 in nine of his 10 seasons in Cuba, and walked more then he whiffed in his last eight go-arounds.
He enjoyed a nice 2013-2014 season, which was his last in Cuba. In the 90-game season, he posted a .316/.412/.473 slash-line, and knocked seven out of the park. He also walked more than he struck out (38 to 25). Olivera spent most of the year as the designated hitter, with some appearances at second sprinkled in.
One question mark for Olivera is his health. He’s not necessarily injury-prone, but he did miss the entire 2012-2013 Serie Nacional season with thrombosis in his bicep. Thrombosis is a medical condition caused by blood clots in the vessels, and restricts blood flow. It is a serious condition, but Olivera seemed to get past it just fine in his 2013-2014 campaign.
Another knock against Olivera is his age. Right now, he’s 29 years old, and will turn 30 in April. With his age comes more experience, obviously, and when he signs with a team, he’s most likely major league-ready right now.
Olivera sounds great, doesn’t he? But the Giants should hold off on signing Olivera, and put all of their time and resources into picking up the younger Moncada. Moncada is only 19 years old, and even though he’s probably not ready for a big league spot just yet, he’s only about a year away. That would put him at just 20 or 21 years of age when he debuts.
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Moncada will give the team that signs him more years of play, even after spending some time in the minor leagues. It doesn’t take a mathematician to know that a 21-year-old player is younger, and therefore will be around longer, than a 30-year old.
Moncada will also develop more. At his age, Olivera has most likely hit his ceiling, and won’t grow any further, both physically and as a player. Moncada will be able to work more on his body and game, and he likely has not yet reached his peak.
Casey McGehee, who was acquired by San Francisco in a trade earlier this offseason, is currently entrenched as the starter at third base. After this season, however, he will become a free agent. That leaves an opening at the hot corner again, and either one of those Cuban stars could fill the void.
Both players are supreme talents that will help whatever team is lucky enough to sign them. Plenty of teams have taken interest on both men. Moncada’s age and ability makes him the more intriguing target, and while other teams are fighting for his services, the Giants may be able to swoop in the backdoor and steal Olivera right out from under other team’s noses. But if the opportunity is available, the Giants should keep their own noses in the Moncada book.
The Giants may not be known for making the flashy, splashy free agent signings, as they opt for familiar players, and players who fit their style of small-ball with strong defense. This is a chance to change that perception, and at the same time, boost their international stock.