San Francisco Giants Three Standouts: Spring Training Game Two

Three players who stood out during the San Francisco Giants’ second Spring Training game, a victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The San Francisco Giants bounced back from a loss in the Cactus League opener to beat the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday, 9-3. Overall, the biggest improvement came from the defensive side, where the Giants didn’t commit a single error after six miscues the day before.

The offense was strong, as is expected in the hitter-friendly atmosphere in Arizona. Hector Sanchez, Mac Williamson, and Kyle Jensen hit home runs as part of the Giants’ 15 hits as a team, powering the offense to nine runs. The pitching staff also had a nice day, limiting the Dodgers’ lineup to three runs on 10 hits.

Here are three players who stood out on Saturday, for better or for worse:

1 – Steven Okert

Steven Okert was the first man out of the bullpen, working the third inning on Saturday. He allowed a double to Cody Bellinger on a ball that dropped just inside the left-field line, but was otherwise fantastic in his inning of work. He struck out a pair, getting Joc Pederson way out in front on a big breaking ball and throwing a fastball through Henry Ramos. He also got Yasiel Puig out on his front foot, coaxing a harmless pop-up.

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Okert’s breaking ball had a bit of a different look to it. Instead of a flat slider that mostly breaks nine-to-three (on the clock face), it had a big, loopier look to it, more like a curveball. Whether he simply changed the grip on the pitch or picked up a new pitch entirely, it certainly worked for him.

This is another very strong first impression for a young player trying to earn a spot on the opening day roster. The Giants are likely going to carry two left-handed relievers, and someone will need to pitch alongside Tony Watson until Will Smith is healthy. If Okert can get through the Cactus League slate like this, he might be able to fill that role.

2 – Chase d’Arnaud

The veteran Chase d’Arnaud has a lot of competition for a bench infield spot, and he needs to have a monster spring just to leapfrog some of the guys in front of him. He got off on the right foot on Saturday.

He started the third inning with a leadoff single, then stole second base. He contributed to a four-run fourth inning with a two-run double, slashing a low pitch down the left field line to bring home a pair. He received one more at-bat in the sixth inning and couldn’t finish the day perfect, but gave the ball a good ride before it landed safely in a glove just in front of the warning track.

Everyday counts for a guy on the fringe like d’Arnaud, and he made it count on Saturday.

3 – Jarrett Parker

It wasn’t a banner day on Saturday for Jarrett Parker, both at the plate and in the field. In the batter’s box, he struck out three times, all swinging, and popped out gently in center field the lone time he did make contact. Things weren’t much better out in right field, where he let a ball clank off his glove in the second inning, and overall didn’t really look too comfortable out there all day.

This is another big spring for Parker. Though the stakes are different from last year, he’s again out of options and needs to prove something to stay. He isn’t competing for a starting job like he was in 2017, but still needs to earn his spot on the bench. If he can’t, he might be spending 2018 with a different team.

Next: Three Standouts from Cactus League Opener

Honorable Mentions:

Chris Stratton pitched through some trouble that wasn’t all his fault in the second inning, keeping the Dodgers off the board. In his two scoreless innings, Stratton showed a really good-looking curveball despite how early it is in Spring. Jose Valdez threw a scoreless fifth inning, but his socks were the real story. He is a young man who knows how to wear a pair of high socks.

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