Giants broadcaster Dave Flemming stopped by for his weekly hit with Tolbert, Krueger & Brooks on Tuesday, his first since baseball announced its return.
Flem gave a few predictions, the first of which was his belief that Jaylin Davis will be the most scrutinized player in spring training 2.0, largely because the new National League DH is up for grabs, and Yasiel Puig remains available as a free agent.
“The Giants have high hopes for him, and want to give him every chance to kind of be that guy to take another step forward, because he’s intriguing,” Flemming said of the 29-year-old who hit just .167 in the first 17 games of his major league career last season.
“I think the Giants really are hopeful. It was ugly at times, his first big league season, but this is a guy who has come a long way in a short time. He’s had injury problems as a college player, he didn’t play against the highest level of competition and then something clicked. I think the Giants believe that something is legit.”
Davis got the call last year after launching 10 home runs in 27 games at Triple-A Sacramento, following his trade from the Twins. Before arriving in California, Davis had 15 jacks in 41 games with Triple-A Rochester.
“But you are right to be skeptical. He’s got a lot to prove and they are sort of counting on him. In these next three weeks if there’s one player that is going to get the most scrutiny of everybody, it might be him.”
Flemming also hypothesized on how the Giants will fill two of the biggest question marks on their roster: the closer spot, and centerfield.
“I’ll go with Tony Watson as the saves leader, even though if he is the saves leader there’s a chance Tony could be on the move, since we do have a trade deadline in a 60 game season. That possibility would exist.”
What about center?
“I am going to say Mauricio Dubon. (Mike Yastrzemski) would be second and Yaz is probably the right answer, I’m probably trying to be too cute and give you a smart answer.”
Listen to the interview below.
