The Giants currently have a major logjam in the outfield with Fred Lewis, Nate Schierholtz, Aaron Rowand, Randy Winn, and Andres Torres all deserving of playing time.
Aaron Rowand is having a spectacular year with a .300 batting average, a .363 on base percentage, and a .470 slugging. He had a solid first month of the season with a .283 batting average with six walks and two home runs.
But his year really took off when Giants manager Bruce Bochy moved Rowand to the what was then the ice cold lead off spot. Rowand blasted off the frost with a seventeen game hit streak that included 12 runs and 12 RBI and helped the Giants to go 10-7 in that stretch.
Rowand has been playing some solid D too. The combination of all the factors that contribute to Rowand's all-around game, makes him a mainstay in the outfield.
Randy Winn is, well, Randy Winn. An underrated baller that does just about everything; clutch hitting, smart and athletic movement on the base paths, and outstanding defense at every outfield position.
It's no coincidence that Winn hits third in the Giants lineup and he has done whatever the Giants have wanted him to do in-stride. This guy is going to be out there everyday that he's able, and that's mostly everyday.
So the Giants already have two outfield spots locked up and there's still three deserving outfielders left.
Andres Torres has busted onto the scene with some unbelievable numbers. In only 34 at bats Torres is posting a .324/.425/.676/1.101 line with two doubles, two triples, two home runs, 9 runs and 8 RBI.
Talk about taking a few at bats and making the most of it. I can't think of a more productive 34 AB.
This is without mentioning his six walks and three stolen bases (without getting caught once!). Torres has sprinter speed and his outfield defense is unbelievable.
He tracks down anything that moves out there. If there is one person on the Giants that is banging on the door for more at bats, it's Andres Torres. With a Torres, Winn, and Rowand outfield; the Giants basically have three center fielders taking up territory.
There is no reason to leave Freddy Lewis off of this list either. He has been a plus defender in left for a while now and although he makes a misread here or there, he makes up for it with a nice catch, a good read, and general fast speed and good range.
Although Lewis' batting average is down to .257 this year, he is still taking a nice number of walks with 21 in 183 at bats, leading to a decent .346 on base percentage. The only problem with Lews is that he has 54 strikeouts and eight RBI (including the three that count for driving himself in on his three home runs).
Other than that though, Lewis is a pretty solid outfielder, deserving of some playing time, and his weaknesses can be hidden in non-RBI spots in the lineup.
So that leaves Nate Schierholtz as the extra outfielder. We have all seen Nate's strong arm in right, but if he's going to get some consistent at bats, why not throw him at first base.
He played some corner infield earlier in his career. That can't be completely out of the question.
With Travis Ishikawa slumping and Pablo Sandoval aching to stretch out that bear of an arm at third base, first base could be the place. Sure, his outfield speed and arm wouldn't really play that well at first, but at least he would have range.
I mean, there are plenty of successful right handed first baseman out there and nobody is doubting whether or not he is a better hitter than Ishikawa. Juan Uribe has something to say about playing time in the infield, but he is solid at any number of other positions and would still be able to get on the field.
So there you have it. My solution to the logjam in the outfield.
Play Nate Schierholtz at first base. He had a .940 career AAA OPS and hit .320/.370/.493 last year with the Giants.
He also has six hits in his last 14 at bats and is looking ready to go on a tear. Get him in there everyday at first base!
- Login to post comments