It wouldn’t be an Opening Day for the Farhan Zaidi Giants without a couple of unexpected inclusions.
First, let’s get the obvious out of the way. San Francisco is starting a new left fielder to open 2023, the 17th season in a row there has been a new face in that position in the Opening Day lineup.
This year, it’s Blake Sabol, a utility player who was competing for a catching position in spring. Sabol was crushing it in Scottsdale, posting a slash line of (.348/.475/.630) in 46 at-bats.
Sabol has been forced into left due to Mitch Haniger starting the season on the 10-day injured list. Haniger’s injury moved Michael Conforto to right field, and with Joc Pederson as the designated hitter, San Francisco needed a placeholder.
Perhaps even more surprising is another catcher in the lineup, this one actually starting behind the dish. Roberto Perez will begin the season in the squat and bat ninth. Though it’s assumed he’s the team’s No. 1 catcher, Joey Bart is the only of the three players on the catcher depth chart not in the Opening Day lineup.
The other surprise is Wilmer Flores getting the start over David Villar at third base. Villar was talked up as being one of the most impressive players in big league camp.
Here’s the full lineup that will face Yankees ace Gerrit Cole:
- LaMonte Wade Jr. 1B
- Michael Conforto RF
- WilmerFlores 3B
- JocPederson DH
- Mike Yastrzemski CF
- ThairoEstrada 2B
- Brandon Crawford SS
- BlakeSabol LF
- RobertoPerez C
Pitcher: Logan Webb