In their World Series wins in 2010, 2012 and 2014, the San Francisco Giants never leaned on an offense that mashes the baseball. The 2017 Giants, however, have experienced a power outage at the plate that has heavily contributed to an NL West worst 26-42 record, that in all likelihood has the organization out of the race for the pennant before it even begins.
The Giants are ranked 29th out of 30 teams in the league in runs scored, 28th in team batting average, and dead last in home runs and slugging percentage. Bruce Bochy is throwing all sorts of players and lineups out onto the field in hopes of finding some success, but to no avail.
Covering the draft and minor leagues for MLB.com, Jonathan Mayo joined The Audible on Friday morning to discuss the raw power in the Giants first two draft selections, Heliot Ramos and Jacob Gonzalez.
“There are some significant tools there,” Mayo said on Ramos, taken with the No. 19 pick in the first round. “He’s big and strong with power potential. What it’s going to come down to is patience with the hit tool and being able to tap into power.
“There’s some tools to work with. It may take some time…The Giants have a history of going outside the box a bit with their first-round pick and it’s worked a lot.”
The son of Luis Gonzalez, Jacob Gonzalez was taken straight out of Chaparral High School in Scottsdale, Arizona with the Giants second round pick.
“[Jacob] might have as much raw power as any high school hitter in the country. Hasn’t always tapped into it consistently, but he’s young. He raised his profile his senior year because he was making adjustments better.
“I think he’s going to end up being at first base,” Mayo said on Gonzalez, who was drafted as a third baseman. “He’s really going to have to hit. Clearly the Giants think he is going to, or else they wouldn’t have taken him in the second round.”
Giants fans will likely have to wait a while before seeing both of these selections in the big leagues. It’ll be well worth the wait, however, if players such as Ramos and Gonzalez can bring some serious pop into AT&T Park.
To listen to Mayo’s full interview on The Audible, click below. To listen to him talk about Ramos and then Gonzalez, skip ahead to the 2:18 mark.