Hmmmm. Let’s see now. Last time we talked about the San Francisco Giants in Spring Training, it was Feb. 27 and they had started the season in high style, scoring two come-from-behind wins over Cincinnati and the Cubs.
Nine days later, the team has just broken an eight-game losing streak by nipping the Cleveland Indians 3-2, bringing their Spring mark to 4-8.
Remember when I said Spring Training won-loss records are meaningless? Now you understand?
But stats, which are still largely meaningless, are still interesting little tidbits to occupy our minds while we wait for the real thing to begin in early April. So here are a few highlights I thought you might find interesting.
The G-Men have 10 players hitting .300 or better, led by young second baseman Joe Panik with a .500 average in six games and 14 ABs. Panik, of course, is set in the lineup but not so Trevor Brown, who’s in a dogfight for the No. 2 catcher spot behind Buster Posey. But Brown is helping his cause so far, hitting an even .400 over six games and 10 ABs. Veteran Nick Hundley, picked up during the off-season as a possible backup to Buster, is hitting a bleak .214 but he’s drawn three walks so his OBP is a respectable .389. Posey, meanwhile, is a bit slow getting started, with a .273/.385 line. None of the catchers in camp has a homer yet but Brown did leg out one triple.
I’m a little concerned about the outfield (but remember…it’s early!). Of the 10 contenders for those three roles, only newbie Steven Duggar (.333 in 7 games and 9 at-bats) and Mac Williamson (.294 in 17) have respectable averages. Hunter Pence, who will get the day-to-day start in right, is mired at .133 with 15 ABs. Right now, Manager Bruce Bochy has Jarrett Parker (.222 in 18 ABs, but two homers) penciled in starting in left, Denard Span (14 appearances, .071 BA!) in center and, of course, Pence in right.
As a team, the Giants are 26th in batting average, 16th in scoring, 26th in OPS (On-Base + Slugging) and tied for 21st in home runs.
Pitching isn’t faring well either. The Giants are 21st in team ERA (4.93) and 16th in WHIP (1.43). With 31 candidates in camp for what will probably be a 12-man staff, Bochy and Pitching Coach Dave Righetti have been spreading the ball around so much it’s hard for any individual to emerge from the statistical pile.
Tomorrow it’s the Dodgers, then the American Baseball Classic followed by the first day off of the spring training schedule.