San Francisco Giants Mailbag: Lincecum, LF Power, Leadoff Spot

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Mar 22, 2015; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; San Francisco Giants center fielder Gregor Blanco (7) swings the bat against the Los Angeles Angels at Scottsdale Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

This is an amusing question, because in theory, any left field platoon should be able to beat out a pitching staff, in terms of home runs. However, I do see why Mimi asked this question, because Madison Bumgarner is truly a beast with the bat, at least for a pitcher.

However, I will have to pick the left field “platoon” of Aoki and Gregor Blanco (not exactly a platoon because Aoki is seen as the everyday left fielder) to hit more home runs than the pitchers. I can see Bumgarner hitting a few home runs again (perhaps not four though), but I don’t see any of the other Giants pitchers hitting home runs this season, except possibly one from Matt Cain.

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Although Aoki hit just one home run last season, he hit 10 in 2012 with the Milwaukee Brewers and eight in 2013 also with the Brewers. Although I don’t expect him to hit 10 home runs, especially now that he has to hit in the non-home run friendly AT&T Park, I could see him hitting five or so now that he’s back in the National League.

Blanco hit five home runs last season, which tied his career-high for homers in one season, as he did the same in 2012. It’s likely that we’ll see about the same type of home run total from Blanco this season. Although, there is a possibility that he hits a couple more since he might see more playing time, at least at the beginning of the season, with Hunter Pence out.

Therefore, the combination of Aoki’s and Blanco’s home runs will certainly exceed the number of home runs that the pitchers hit in 2015.

Next: How Will Aoki Do as Leadoff Hitter?

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