SF Giants: Home of the MLB’s hottest hitting tandem
By Allen Settle
The SF Giants surprisingly have perhaps the MLB’s hottest hitting tandem.
No one should be surprised to learn that the hottest tandem of hitters in the 2020 MLB season resides in the state of California, but few probably expected that tandem to play for the SF Giants.
The state is perhaps the most star-studded in the league, boasting former MVPs like Mike Trout, Mookie Betts, Cody Bellinger, and Albert Pujols. California is also home to All-Star sluggers like Anthony Rendon, Manny Machado, and Matt Chapman.
However, the fact that some of the strongest starts to the season come, not from the obvious postseason contenders, but rather, from the presumably lowly SF Giants, is a shocking revelation.
The shortened season began with the Giants having the seventh-worst championship odds in the league. The team, which is firmly cemented in the middle of a clear rebuild, was hoping to use the unprecedented year to develop some of their younger talent and foster some of their veterans.
The signs thus far have been wildly encouraging, particularly on offense. Let’s take a look at two blazing hot starts in San Francisco.
Mike Yastrzemski, OF, SF Giants
Few hitters in the sport have can match Mike Yastrzemski’s numbers so far this year. And those who can are all All-Stars and potential MVP candidates.
Yaz’s blistering .304 batting average is the top-30 in the league. His 29 total bases in also tied for eighth-best in the league and his 13 walks pace rank No. 1.
Fantasy baseball certainly has limitations in how it translates to its real-world counterpart. But the sport does do a good job of calculating the overall performance of baseball players. By this metric, Yastrzemski’s 56 total points rank are tied for fifth-most in the entire MLB.
While the 29-year-old outfielder is older than most team’s top young stars, he is clearly cementing himself as a dangerous offensive threat. His presence on a roster that consists mostly of aging, former stars, gives the franchise real hope for what the future may hold.
Donovan Solano, 2B/3B, SF Giants
Yastrzemski’s hot start is certainly better than anyone could have predicted. However, considering his excellent 2019 campaign and his star pedigree, it was not out of the question that he could make another leap forward.
More from Golden Gate Sports
- Raiders: Rookie stock report following Week 3 performance
- 49ers sign new long snapper amidst a flurry of roster moves
- Oakland Athletics win Game 2 of Wild Card round with late-inning drama
- 49ers: George Kittle and Deebo Samuel cleared to return to practice
- 49ers expected to place DE Dee Ford on injured reserve
Donovan Solano, on the other hand, is a total surprise.
The fringe talent spent his first four MLB seasons as a member of the Miami Marlins, before a very brief stint with the Yankees in 2016. After a stint away from the majors, he landed with the Giants in 2019. He appeared in 81 games and recorded four home runs and 23 RBI.
The 32-year-old veteran has made the most of his opportunity for extended playing time in 2020. He has started the campaign with a National League-best .436 batting average and .452 OBP.
These numbers will certainly regress to the mean as the season continues. But they could also be a sign that Solano could have some staying power.
Like Yastrzemski, Solano is currently towards the top of the league with 43 total fantasy points on the season. His pure hitting skills and ability to get on base have been a major asset.
Next. SF Giants steal prominent Mets pitching prospect in Billy Hamilton trade. dark
While he is unlikely to be a direct part of the franchise’s future plans, the versatile infielder could become a valuable trade chip as the season progresses.
How do you think these hot starts affect the season and the future of the team?