SAN FRANCISCO — As it stands, Joe Panik is on pace to hit roughly 98 home runs this year.
Through the first five games of the season, he’s hit three solo home runs that have accounted for half of the runs scored by the San Francisco Giants. His first two were hit off the crown jewels of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitching staff; Clayton Kershaw and Kenley Jansen.
His third was a splash hit that came on Tuesday afternoon in San Francisco’s 6-4 loss to the Seattle Mariners.
He's done it again. #SFGOpeningDay pic.twitter.com/ZYozPpTmSg
— San Francisco Giants (@SFGiants) April 3, 2018
While it’s impractical to think that Panik’s rate of power-hitting is sustainable over a 162-game schedule, Bruce Bochy didn’t want to sell his second baseman short.
“I’d say 60,” Bochy joked when asked how many home runs Panik is capable of hitting. “It’s what it’s looking like. I’m not going to cut him short, Chris. You look at how many he’s got already. But Joe has some pop. He’s a guy that’s going to do some damage this year.
“I don’t want to put a number of home runs I think he’s going to hit,” Bochy added. “I don’t want him to try and hit home runs, which he doesn’t. It’s an effortless swing that, if it’s in the zone, he’s going to drive it. He’s gotten off to a great start again.”
Panik hit 10 home runs in each of the past two seasons. He’s averaged only seven over the first four years of his career.
“If the opportunity presents itself I’m going to take my shots here and there,” Panik said when he was told Bochy expects 60 homers on the year. “But again, just kind of got to laugh at that one.” He then paused, and grinned as he delivered his final two words on the subject:
“Never know.”