Just one in a seemingly endless list of non-roster invitees to Giants camp this spring, outfielder Chris Marrero has been a revelation. The former first round pick of the Washington Nationals crushed the ball in Arizona, with his seven home runs tied for second amongst all major leaguers this spring, behind only MVP candidate Bryce Harper. That doesn’t take into account the homer he hit against the Puerto Rican national team in an exhibition game either.
Marrero is eerily similar from a skill set standpoint to Michael Morse, another spring invitee that would’ve probably made the roster if not for an ill-timed hamstring injury. Marrero is also a outfielder/first baseman that doesn’t play either very well, but provides power from the right side of the plate. That is something the Giants sorely need, and would prove to be a nice compliment to presumptive starting left-fielder Jarrett Parker, who can also rake.
Giants general manager Bobby Evans has been as impressed as anyone with Marrero’s surprise spring, and told PCon and Paul McCaffrey that Marrero has done everything he can do make the club’s opening day roster.
“We went after him this winter for a reason,” Evans said. “He’s given us every reason to feel good about what he’s done. He continues to find a way to get big hits and leads pretty much the entire spring in home runs except maybe (Bryce) Harper has eight as well. He’s done everything he can. When you get down to this final spot, you’re really deciding not only between a fifth outfielder but a second or third utility infielder so those weigh into the decision but again with guys healthy that certainly gives Marrero a good shot.”
Bruce Bochy is on the record as saying he would prefer to keep five outfielders, which means that Marrero would likely join Gorkys Hernandez as the two reserves. Expectations that Marrero can produce like this against big league pitching should be tempered. Let’s remember that he has hit most of his home runs late in spring training games, against pitchers that are unlikely to see much big league action. He’s also only played in a grand total of 39 major league games since 2011.
That said, Marrero has been the biggest surprise in Giants camp, and that’s probably enough to warrant him a shot right out of the gate.
Listen to the full interview below.