The Giants are getting healthier by the day, and no day more than Monday.
San Francisco are welcoming both Mitch Haniger and Austin Slater to the lineup against left-hander Jordan Montgomery. Both outfielders are key components of the Giants’ offensive vision for 2023.
Haniger, 32, will make his Giants debut by hitting third and playing left field. Slater, meanwhile, is leading off and serving as SF’s designated hitter.
In corresponding roster moves, the Giants optioned Brett Wisely to Triple-A Sacramento and placed Darin Ruf on the 10-day injured list with right wrist inflammation.
San Francisco’s biggest weakness on offense this year has been production against left-handed pitching. The Giants rank 28th in OPS against southpaws. Teams have trotted out as many lefty relievers and even starters from Triple-A (hello, Joey Lucchesi) to reliably shut San Francisco down.
Both Haniger and Slater should help that immediately.
Haniger was the Giants’ biggest free agent acquisition this winter as he signed a three-year, $43.5 million pact with San Francisco. In 2021, he hit 39 home runs for the Mariners, making him a decent candidate to become the Giants’ first 30-homer hitter since Barry Bonds in 2007.
“Excited to put on the jersey and get out there with my teammates,” Haniger said.
Slater has a career .285 average and .845 OPS with a platoon advantage. The Giants consider him one of the most dangerous right-handed bats in their lineup when a lefty is on the mound.
Both Haniger and Slater missed the first 21 games of the season. Haniger initially suffered a minor oblique strain, but then a back injury set him back. Slater initially had right elbow neuritis and then strained his hamstring.
Slater, who played just three Cactus League games, was actually more affected by the elbow injury, he said. He’s ready to play in the outfield, manager Gabe Kapler said, but will start at DH Monday. His availability to play defense will depend on his comfortability throwing.
In 2020, Slater was relegated to almost exclusively DH duties because of an elbow injury.
With Slater and Haniger, the Giants’ lineup looks noticeably deeper and more potent. It’ll get tested against Cardinals lefty starter Jordan Montgomery, who had a 3.48 ERA last season.
“Taking a look at the lineup, and I mean it’s a little thing, but Wilmer Flores is hitting sixth for us today,” Kapler said. “I think up and down our lineup, you’ve got quality bats who can take a walk, hit a home run and give us a good look against a tough left-handed pitcher in Montgomery.”
- Michael Conforto and Haniger, the Giants’ two biggest position player free agent acquisitions, are catch partners.
When pursuing Haniger, Kapler said he got to know him well. What exactly did he learn?
“Very detail-oriented,” Kapler said. “He’s going to get every ounce out of his potential. He’s going to reach his potential. Because he’s going to get all the value at the margins, he’s going to be in the best possible physical position, he’s going to look for all the different ways to grow and develop. Never be complacent. I learned a lot about that.”
- The Giants’ newest clubhouse addition is a bumper pool table. Games pregame have been lively and competitive. Logan Webb is the current leader in the clubhouse according to the makeshift white board score board.
- Barry Bonds, a Giants advisor, was in the ballpark pregame. Last year, he famously worked with Joc Pederson pregame before he hit three home runs. This winter, Bonds trained with Pederson and Slater at Oracle Park.
- Wisely said his first stint in the bigs was an unforgettable experience. He took time to pick the brains of veterans and coaches on the team and learned to try to soak in every moment. In his seven MLB games, the utility man hit .071 while registering his first hit and first RBI.
