In his first three games, Casey Schmitt has eight hits, two home runs, four RBI, and five runs scored. Since 1901, only one player has had more total bases through three games than the rookie.
The 24-year-old added a 92.7 mph throw from shortstop that tracked as the second-fastest infield assist in MLB this year.
Mike Krukow, the voice of the Giants since 1990, has seen plenty of debuts. Some have been more anticipated, but none as productive as Schmitt’s introduction to the big leagues.
One moment, when Schmitt and Brandon Crawford sat next to each other in the dugout during the Giants’ 6-2 win over the Diamondbacks stood out to the legendary broadcaster.
“It’s pretty cool, because this mentorship that has happened with Crawford and Casey Schmitt started in spring training,” Krukow said on the Murph & Mac Show Friday morning. “It’s one thing that’s really cool about this game, that the greats in this game, the people who have really left their mark in the game, they’re aware of their game. And they’re aware of others who are going to try to replace them. And they’re aware of others who have similar talent. It’s just a natural drift from Casey Schmitt over to the locker to Brandon Crawford. And the cool thing about it is Crawford meets him halfway. There was a magnetism between the two of them.”
Krukow said that two things need to happen when a player debuts: a willingness to listen and learn on behalf of the rookie, and the veteran’s responsibility of taking him under his wing. Krukow has already seen both.
“And that, to me, is the true beauty of the moment, and that’s the essence of this game: pass it on,” Krukow said.
Crawford, who is currently on the injured list with a calf strain, is due to return to the lineup this weekend. Schmitt has been occupying his position, but also has experience at second base in addition to his natural spot at third.
Krukow said he doesn’t view the return of Crawford as a positional puzzle.
“I don’t think it is,” Krukow said. “You take a look with what they did with him when he was coming up, he was playing third base, then they move him to shortstop, then they move him to second base. He’s skilled at all these positions. I think of all the positions, the one he’s least comfortable with is second base. But if you watch him take ground balls, he has the pivot. He has the balance and the pivot, he has the creativity of his feet to react to wherever that throw comes to him from the third baseman or shortstop on a pivot play. So I don’t think they’ll hesitate to put him anywhere of those three positions.”
“Crawford’s at the point in his career where he’s not going to play everyday. He might play four, maybe five, maybe three days a week. We don’t know. They have to keep his legs healthy. And we watched Buster, the way they used him, managed him. In a way, they’re going to be doing the same thing with Crawford. And there’s going to be days off that J.D. needs. And there’s going to be days off that Thairo needs. And on those days off, Casey Schmitt’s going to play. If he’s swinging the bat like this, they will find a place for him to play.”
When Buster Posey was in his final year, the Giants managed his minutes by scheduling frequent off days. That helped keep him fresh, and allowed the hit .304 with a .889 OPS in his 12th season. Crawford, 36, has struggled this year and has dealt with more injuries in the past two seasons than he had in his entire career before.
Getting Crawford more consistent rest could help him produce more effectively when on the field. Thairo Estrada, who is playing at an All-Star level, and J.D. Davis, who has been terrific on both sides of the ball, could also benefit from Schmitt’s emergence.
One thing is clear: if Schmitt can continue swinging the bat like he has, the Giants will find opportunities for him.
“He ain’t going anywhere,” Krukow said. “There’s no way. The Giants understand what they have here. You heard it from the mouth of Cobb, saying this kid’s got a spark, he’s got energy. That’s what you need. Energy is the absolute major necessity to a good season.”
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