San Francisco Giants Mailbag: New Players, Pence’s Injury, Spring Training

Mar 6, 2015; Surprise, AZ, USA; San Francisco Giants third baseman Casey McGehee against the Texas Rangers during a spring training baseball game at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The Giants only really have two new players this year in Nori Aoki and Casey McGehee. Neither of these signings were super flashy or exciting for fans, but both are these players are solid additions and underrated overall.

I would have to say that McGehee intrigues me a little more than Aoki does. Aoki’s speed, his ability to get on base, his ability to play all three outfield positions, and his ability to hit leadoff are certainly admirable, but I think McGehee will end up meaning more to this Giants team, as Angel Pagan provides somewhat similar skills to Aoki’s.

Both Aoki and McGehee can hit for average, but McGehee also has some power. Although McGehee hit just four home runs in 2014 for the Miami Marlins, McGehee hit 16, 23, and 13 home runs in the 2009, 2010, and 2011. In those same seasons, he also collected 66, 104, and 67 RBI.

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McGehee is a legitimate middle-of-the-order hitter, because of his ability to hit for average and power. He provided protection for Giancarlo Stanton last year with the Marlins, and he could certainly provide some stability in the middle of the lineup behind the big sluggers, such as Buster Posey, Pence, and Brandon Belt.

In addition, McGehee is solid defensively at third base. Last season, McGehee had a .979 fielding percentage and just seven errors.

McGehee has gotten off to a hot start to Spring Training too. Although this means nothing about how he’ll produce in the regular season, it’s a good sign for the Giants to see McGehee build up some confidence and become more comfortable with his new team.

So far this spring, McGehee is hitting .440 with a .462 on-base percentage and a .600 slugging percentage with four RBI in 25 at-bats.

It seems as if McGehee is a great teammate and will fit in well in the clubhouse too. He seems pretty low-key but hard-working and humble. Gregor Blanco praised McGehee’s style of play and also called him underrated.

McGehee might not put up the power numbers that Pablo Sandoval did, and his style of play might not be as entertaining. However, McGehee is a solid addition to this Giants team.

Next: Who Will Step Up Offensively With Pence Out?