Giants Bulletin: Schmitt’s rough day could spark change at first

By Jack Loder

When the Giants flew south from San Francisco on Sunday, they would have absolutely signed up for a series win with two out of three in San Diego. Attempting to get greedy and sweep the Padres on Wednesday afternoon, San Francisco fell flat all over the place, settling for a much needed series win after a mistake-filled matinee ended with a 7-1 loss. 

Tony Vitello’s Giants became the first team since Dusty Baker’s 1996 squad to start the same eight position players at the same position in each of the first six games of the season. That streak will likely be over Thursday, as Vitello alluded to backup catcher Daniel Susac likely getting his first start against the Mets. 

A brutal defensive day for Casey Schmitt at first base might be cause for another defensive shuffle Thursday. Schmitt made two poor plays, both resulting in a charged error to Matt Chapman. The first was an underwhelming throw from Chapman that probably should have been caught. The resulting ricochet allowed the Padres to score an unearned run in the bottom of the first. 

Later, San Diego added another on a costly two out mistake by Schmitt. Chapman charged a slow hopper and gloved it, turning and firing towards first as he’s done hundreds of times in his gold glove career. His throw, a bit high but by all means very catchable, glanced off the top of an outstretched Schmitt’s glove. Schmitt’s too early and too dramatic stretch eliminated his ability to react to a throw with any radius. Although it was scored as E5, the fault was clearly on the first baseman. 

The errors won’t sit well with Giants fans, especially considering prized prospect Bryce Eldridge is being groomed to play first base, and is currently camped in Sacramento.

Chapman didn’t hide his frustration when the infield convened on the mound for a visit shortly thereafter. If you can read lips at all, it’s clear what the veteran third baseman told Schmitt. 

The Giants return home for a four game set against the Mets beginning on Thursday night, before hosting the Phillies for three on Monday. After the Opening Weekend disaster, 2-4 feels GREAT.