SAN FRANCISCO–On Wednesday afternoon, the key decision-makers with the San Francisco Giants held a meeting to determine how the team would divide up playing time for the foreseeable future.
Apparently, all that stood between the decisions the Giants made and the corresponding transactions that would take place was a 6-1 defeat at the hands of the Oakland A’s.
Immediately following a discouraging, sloppy loss at the hands of a last-place opponent, the Giants made a slew of roster moves, three of which involved third basemen.
After an 0-for-3 performance from Wednesday’s starter at the hot corner, Conor Gillaspie, the Giants cut ties with the franchise’s 2008 first round draft choice, and designated him for assignment. Additionally, his temporary platoon-mate, Jae-gyun Hwang, was optioned to AAA Sacramento for the second time in as many weeks, while 23-year-old third base prospect Ryder Jones was recalled to take a roster spot. With an additional spot open, the Giants activated outfielder Jarrett Parker from the 60-day disabled list.
If there was ever a time for San Francisco’s top prospect, Christian Arroyo, to be healthy, that time is now. But in the coming weeks, Arroyo will continue to nurse his fractured hand back to health, and the Giants will remain hopeful that at some point in September, Arroyo will be healthy enough to take Major League cuts.
In the meantime, the transactions the franchise made on Wednesday speak volumes about the direction the franchise will move in over the next two months. Though manager Bruce Bochy said prior to Wednesday’s loss that the Giants want to put their best foot forward and remain competitive in August and September, complacency is no longer an option for the the team’s under-performing veterans.
Two weeks ago, San Francisco didn’t have enough roster spots for its third basemen, as starter Eduardo Nunez snapped up all the at-bats, while Gillaspie and Hwang were relegated to bench roles. Jones, meanwhile, was on the disabled list nursing a hand injury, while Pablo Sandoval was preparing to sign a Minor League contract with the Giants after being designated for assignment by the Red Sox.
On Thursday, the Giants’ depth at third base will be remarkably leaner, as Jones will likely start while super utility player Kelby Tomlinson will serve as his backup.
At this point, Jones now represents the lone hurdle separating Sandoval and the Giants’ starting third base job. Though San Francisco could have folded its hand and promoted Sandoval on Wednesday evening, the Giants are sending Panda to Omaha with AAA Sacramento, and will give Jones another shot to lay claim to the hot corner.
“Pablo is going to go to Omaha, he’s going to continue to play,” Bochy said. “Get his at-bats. When that right time comes, it’ll happen. But right now, we feel that it’s still important for him to get a lot of at-bats. He’s missed a lot of playing time. Not just this year.”
The Giants’ determination to make Sandoval continue to earn his way to the big league level, instead of allowing him to be the last man standing, is a show of faith in Jones.
Though the rookie recorded just one hit in his first 21 at-bats with the Giants this season, Jones has torched Pacific Coast League pitching, compiling a .389 average in the 10 games he played with the River Cats in July.
Over the last two months, Jones has ripped eight home runs and driven in 25 runs, while showcasing his defensive versatility. Even when the Giants do add Sandoval to their 25-man roster, and yes, it’s inevitable at this point, Jones now has the chance to carve out an everyday role for himself because he’s capable of playing left field and first base.
In an ideal world for the Giants, though, Jones will sprint away with the opportunity that’s been bestowed upon him, and begin to showcase some of the raw talent and advanced plate discipline that made him the most consistent hitter in the River Cats’ lineup over the last two months. Jones possesses the athleticism, pop and positional flexibility the Giants are looking for, and now that the team can trot him out on a more consistent basis, it’s his time to shine.
Eventually, Sandoval will take at-bats for the orange and black, and if all goes according to plan, so too will Arroyo. But at least at the beginning of August, Jones is the only player the Giants can pencil in at third base on a daily basis.
If the Giants are serious about contending in 2018, they know it will take more than just a few core players performing closer to their career norms and a couple of free agent acquisitions that will plug drastic holes. San Francisco knows it will also take the help of prospects like Jones, who now has the chance to get a head start on earning an expansive role.
