San Francisco Giants Stock Report: Big Climbers and Big Fallers
It’s the first off day of Spring Training. The San Francisco Giants have the day off, so we get the chance to look back at the first 12 games in the Cactus League and pick out some guys who have raised their stock, and others whose stock has gone down.
Stock Rising: Steven Duggar
The San Francisco Giants’ young center field prospect entered camp with all eyes on him, and Duggar has done nothing to disappoint thus far. In under two weeks, he’s shown that he is capable of becoming a five-tool player.
He’s hitting for average, picking up seven hits in 17 at-bats for a .412 average. He’s hit for power, launching three home runs including a massive shot off Kenta Maeda on Sunday. He’s shown some speed, coming up with a bunt single and stealing a couple bases. He’s played solid defense in center field and has even shown he’s got quite a strong throwing arm.
In just a few short weeks, a decision will need to be made. So far, Duggar is making the decision difficult for Bruce Bochy and company. If he can continue to perform like this, will the Giants make the surprising decision and keep him on the big league roster? If he’s among the 25 best players, let’s hope so.
Want to grab people’s attention? Hit a bunch of home runs. It doesn’t matter what level, whether it be rookie ball, Triple-A, Spring Training, or Little League, home runs are the most surefire way to get people talking about you. That’s why we’re talking about Kyle Jensen.
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In just 11 official at-bats, Jensen has cranked out five home runs, a total that leads the Cactus League. None of those five home runs have been “Cactus League specials”, either; they’re massive home runs that make you wish there were accurate distance estimations in every Spring Training game.
Jensen isn’t just up there hacking away, he’s shown a patient approach that has led to seven walks in 18 plate appearances. His absolutely ridiculous 2.631 OPS is by far the highest among players that have taken at least 10 at-bats. If things work out in such a way, he should be a fan favorite in Sacramento.
Blach entered camp with a tentative hold on a spot in the rotation, but needed to earn it with a solid performance. Through three starts in the Cactus League, Blach has tightened that grip. He’s the only Giant to start three games so far, pitching 8.1 innings and allowing two runs (one earned) on eight hits, no home runs, and has struck out nine without allowing a walk.
Blach’s game plan has always been to let hitters get themselves out, but he’s shown a bit more acumen for the strikeout this spring. He’s still got the great control that has gotten him to this point, and is starting to use it in different ways. The most notable addition to his arsenal this spring has been the fastball above the hands, and it’s worked in getting him some strikeouts. It’s a pitch that Madison Bumgarner has had a ton of success with, and could be an excellent addition in Blach’s repertoire.
Blach doesn’t need to become a strikeout pitcher, like a Bumgarner, to be successful, but the ability to strike out more than just four batters per nine innings (Blach’s total from 2017) would be an excellent wrinkle in his game. He probably won’t make a huge jump in strikeouts, but there’s no reason to think he can’t make an improvement in that department.
Williamson entered the 2018 season in serious danger of getting lost too far back in the shuffle, with guys like Duggar and Austin Slater, among others, in camp. Instead, Williamson came to camp with a new swing and started making a lot of noise.
After working with a swing coach to join the launch angle trend, Williamson has started showing the power that once made him such a promising prospect in the system. The big righty has hit three home runs and added a couple of doubles, and is taking advantage of run-scoring opportunities with 12 RBI, a total that’s tied for the Cactus League lead. Even his outs have been loud, with some warning track shots added in.
Williamson struggled against fastballs last season, an area where a power hitter like him should thrive. Instead, he constantly beat the ball into the ground (60.5 percent groundball rate), completely negating that power. So to see him punishing fastballs and getting air under them this spring is an encouraging development.
By his own admission, Williamson doesn’t expect the full results of his new swing for another month or two. Luckily, he still has a minor league option remaining, so he can still work on his swing in the system and if he is in fact poised for a breakout, he can break out with the Giants.