SAN FRANCISCO -- Teams that are out of the race in September generally turn to youth as rosters expand, but the Giants are putting a twist on that as they try to stay alive in a jumbled Wild Card race.
They got rid of veteran Scooter Gennett on Tuesday and called up 25-year-old Mauricio Dubon because they feel the talented prospect gives them their best shot. Manager Bruce Bochy said Dubon will share time with Donovan Solano, the red-hot second baseman, and Brandon Crawford. Dubon's natural position is shortstop.
"We'd like to find time to give this kid a chance to show what he can do," Bochy said.
Bochy indicated Dubon, acquired from the Brewers at the deadline, will get significant playing time. He hit 20 homers in the minors this year and batted .381 over his final 14 games in Triple-A, with three homers and two doubles. That production drew attention, along with the way Dubon plays the game.
"He has really, really good instincts and really good tools, too," Bochy said. "He's a really smart player."
Dubon can spell Crawford against lefties, but Bochy said he won't be limited to that type of role. Gennett had dropped into a platoon and then lost playing time to Solano altogether. He hit just .234 as a Giant and Bochy said the front office wanted to make this move before Sept. 1 so Gennett could latch on elsewhere and still be eligible for the postseason if it worked out that way.
Gennett was always viewed as a bridge to Dubon or someone else taking over in 2020. It happened sooner than expected.
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"I was playing good. I was playing good," Dubon said, a wide smile on his face. "I knew it was coming sooner or later. I didn't think it would be that quick, but I'm ready."
