With spring training more than halfway over, frontrunners are beginning to emerge when it comes to which camp invitees have a legitimate shot to make the Giants’ regular season roster.
To the delight of most fans, one of the standout performers so far has been former Giants hero Michael Morse, who has crushed the ball lately after a slow start. Morse hit two home runs against the Reds on Saturday, and has an impressive line of .238/.360/.524 in 21-at bats so far this spring.
Giants broadcaster Mike Krukow believes that if Morse can show he still has consistent power, he could very well make the club. San Francisco could certainly use a big bat from the right side of the plate. Buster Posey’s 14 home runs were the most on the team last year from a right-handed hitter.
“If you look at the roster, they’re gonna break with 12 pitchers which means they’re going to have 13 regular players so five guys will be on the bench,” Krukow told Murph and Mac on Tuesday. “If he keeps hitting home runs he’s got a legitimate chance because he can play first base, he can come off the bench late. There’s a place for him.”
Krukow sees Morse’s emergence and the stellar play from left fielders Jarrett Parker and Mac Williamson as the two most interesting stories from an otherwise uneventful camp. That’s just what manager Bruce Bochy wants according to Krukow.
“Spring training, it’s kind’ve being shucked aside because of all the emotion everybody’s watching during the WBC tournament,” Krukow said. “But it’s been a pretty uneventful spring and that’s what Bruce Bochy likes. He just likes quiet. He doesn’t like controversy, he doesn’t like injuries. He just wants some quiet. Get your work in, go home, get ready. That’s where they’re at right now.”
“A lot of hearts are gonna be broken, we’ve talked about that all through spring. So these guys that haven’t done a lot right now they have to step it up, they really do. That’s what’s gonna happen between now and the 28th of March.”
Listen to the full interview below.