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San Francisco Giants: Outfield Woes

By Kelsey Ross

Apr 26, 2016; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants center fielder Denard Span (2), right fielder Hunter Pence (8) and left fielder Angel Pagan (16) celebrate after the end of the game against the San Diego Padres at AT&T Park. San Francisco Giants defeat the San Diego Padres 1 to 0. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 26, 2016; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants center fielder Denard Span (2), right fielder Hunter Pence (8) and left fielder Angel Pagan (16) celebrate after the end of the game against the San Diego Padres at AT&T Park. San Francisco Giants defeat the San Diego Padres 1 to 0. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports /
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The San Francisco Giants depth chart in the outfield is slim. Actually, it’s worse than slim and has become a top priority for the club.

Hunter Pence is out for at least another seven weeks with a torn hamstring, a significant blow to the Giant’s outfield. Angel Pagan, unfortunately, always seems to find his way onto the disabled list, and is currently out with a hamstring strain. Denard Span is, oddly enough considering his 2015 season, the healthiest of the three. In 2015 he was on the disabled list three times, and that final trip resulted in season-ending hip surgery.

Stepping in for Pence and Pagan are Gregor Blanco, Mac Williamson, and Jarrett Parker. Williamson and Parker could have a successful future with the Giants, but are not putting up the kind of numbers (both are hitting under .200) to fill the void left by the injured Giants. Needless to say, the Giants outfield is hurting.

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    • So, what are the San Francisco Giants going to do to beef up the lean outfield?

    They acknowledged the problem by using their first pick in the draft to grab Vanderbilt outfielder Bryan Reynolds in the second round. Considering Reynolds should have gone in the first round, he was an absolute steal, and a player the Giants are excited about for good reason. He is a switch hitter with considerable power and speed. Their second pick? Yes, also an outfielder, Heath Quinn.

    The Giants have also added two veteran outfielders to their minor league team. The first is a San Francisco hero, and fans are welcoming him back with open arms: Travis Ishikawa. As if any Giant’s fan could forget that walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth inning in the 2014 NLCS that sent the Giants to the World Series. Chills.

    The second veteran is outfielder Chris Denorfia. Denorfia was a reliable player for the Cubs and Padres, showcasing his strong defensive ability. While the likelihood of either of them making a serious impact may be rather small, they have logged plenty of hours and know the game well. Plus, again, don’t forget Ishikawa was in the minor leagues before Bochy took a chance on him in late July 2014, and what an impact he made.

    Lastly there have been some interesting trade rumors swirling around in the baseball world. The Giants are interested in Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun. Yes, the Ryan Braun who is currently owed $90 million over the next four and a half seasons. Meaning the Giants would have to eat a fair amount of that money, and that is a steep price to pay. The chances of the Giants putting all their eggs in the Braun basket, even with their outfield woes, are still pretty unlikely, but it would make for an intriguing lineup.

    If these talks with Braun are more than just rumors, it will be significant in showing that the Giants are clamoring for more talent in the outfield.

    Next: San Francisco Giants: 3 Possible Trade Targets

    However, the moves the Giants have made so far have shown that they aren’t going to freak out just yet. They acknowledge there’s not much depth in the position and have made moves to acquire some talent, but have faith in the guys in the lineup, and that Pence and Pagan will come back ready to play late in the season.

    Not to mention the injury-stricken Giants are still leading the NL West, thank you pitchers, taking much of the pressure off making any big moves right away.

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