As the final week of spring training approaches, it's time for the San Francisco Giants to decide who goes north to AT&T Park.
Some established players already have a spot on the team, but others must earn their way to the big club in 2015. Here are three players who impressed this spring.
1. Matt Duffy
Although Duffy had clutch postseason moments last year, it was no guarantee he would make the team in 2015. With his impressive spring, he could provide bench depth for the Giants. So far, he is hitting .383, with two home runs and 12 RBIs in 47 at-bats. He also has a very good on-base percentage of .420. And he's got wheels too, as we saw in Game 2 of the National League Championship Series when he scored the tying run from second base on a wild pitch in the 9th inning. Duffy could be a valuable piece off the bench for the Giants in 2015. And as of Sunday night, he is still on the Giants' active MLB roster.
2. Casey McGehee
One of the major questions the Giants faced in 2015 was how the Giants would replace third baseman Pablo Sandoval. The Giants' answer was to acquire the Northern Californian native McGehee in December in exchange for minor league pitchers. Well, the Giants have to feel a bit better after McGehee's spring. He's off to a great start with his new club, hitting .306 in 19 games. Although he doesn't have a home run this spring, he's a line-drive hitter who uses all fields and will get on-base. With the reduced overall power in the Giants' lineup heading into the season, he should help keep the line moving from the sixth spot.
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3. Daniel Carbonell
With the Giants' outfield depth shrinking with injuries to Hunter Pence and Angel Pagan, they may have someone who could make an impact later in the season. The Giants signed the Cuban outfielder Carbonell as a free agent last year and has impressed so far this spring. In 15 at-bats, he's hitting .333, with a .421 on-base percentage, two home runs, and five RBIs. He could be the leadoff man of the future, especially with Juan Perez failing to grab a role with the team and Pagan's lingering health issues. Carbonell is not on the active roster as of Sunday night.
Who also has had a good spring:
- Brandon Belt, .352 average, three home runs, nine RBIs, .470 on-base percentage, 54 at-bats.
- Gregor Blanco, .326 average, .392 on-base percentage, three triples, 46 at-bats
- Justin Maxwell, .316 average, .361 on-base percentage, two home runs, 11 RBIs, 57 at-bats
- Sergio Romo, 1.59 ERA, 5.2 innings pitched, 8 strikeouts
- Chris Heston, 2.40 ERA, 15 innings pitched, .192 average against
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