Scottsdale, ariz. – Bob Melvin has a preliminary idea of what his opening day will appear to be. When Melvin hands over his first Scorecard within the Great American Baseball Stadium on March 27, the sheet of paper will probably be in fifth place within the two-hole, Matt Chapman stroke cleansing and Heliot Ramos.
As for first place within the line -up? It could go to Jung Hoo Lee. It could also go to Lamonte Wade Jr.
“I haven't spoken to (Lee) yet, but it may not be the Leadoff location,” said Melvin. “We will see. It could be early in the line -up. I mean, calf also rises to the base. Someone also has to beat third place. “
Melvin explained that Wade and Lee in the primary and third place would enable the giants to divide their left -handed battery. Together with Lee and Wade, the outfield Mike Yastrzemski and the catcher Patrick Bailey (Switch Hitter) also hit the left. During the sport of the Cactus League, Lee and Wade have the chance to achieve each the primary and third place.
Wades biggest strengths than players are his plate discipline and the flexibility to get to the bottom. In the last two seasons, Wade took fourth place within the walk rate (15.0%) and eleventh place in a basic percentage (.376) (min. 900 plate appearances). Wade has had 870 record appearances within the leadoff point since joining San Francisco, which made greater than half of his travels to a Giants uniform (56.1%).
While Wade doesn’t provide much electricity or speed – Wade had a slugging percentage of 0.381 and ranked within the Seventh percentile of the sprint speed Last season – he’s the most effective giant in climbing the bottom with an enormous lead. Wade would hypothetically determine the table for Adames, which made the profession height at Homeruns (32) and RBIS (112) with the Brewers last season. So Lee would have his own ways to drive in runs and create traffic for Chapman and Ramos.
In Lee's injury-lasting rookie season, he had 135 record appearances within the leadoff spot (.642 OPS) in comparison with 21 record appearances within the three-hole (.633 ops). Lee used the facility he exhibited in Korea (65 Homer, .491 Ops), however the midfielder showed his ability to bring bat to the ball.
Lee contacted 91.5% of his swings over 158 record appearances last season. If Lee had qualified, this brand would have taken third place within the Majors behind Luis Arraez (94.2%) and Steven Kwan (92.8%). In addition, LEES striker rate of 8.2% would only have taken second place behind Araez (4.3%) if he qualified.
For his part, Lee has no concerns about where he hits the road -up and identified that he often reached third place within the KBO.
“It doesn't matter where I made in the line -up,” said Lee by the team interpreter Justin Han. “I could be in the eighth hole, ninth hole. When Bob brings me to the line -up, I play this game. I will do what is best for the team. “
What is de facto best for the Giants is that Lee stays healthy and plays a full season. Lee has no persistent pain because of his shoulder surgery and currently no restrictions. Nevertheless, Lee noticed the should be more careful in defense so as to avoid one other freak injury.
“I don't really have any personal goals at the moment,” said Lee. “I don't feel an excessive amount of pressure on the sphere. I learned that it really works higher to be a great ball player for the team. “
The Giants believe that Lee was about to knock the strength he exhibited in the KBO before Lee's season was suddenly broken off. Melvin praised Lee's ability to make adjustments last spring, and the time will show whether Lee can build on the foundation that he made last season.
“I assumed he was on the option to a extremely good 12 months and we actually missed him,” said Melvin. “I do know that there is just not much track record with him in the large leagues, but we still have the sensation that he has an actual high ceiling. He continues to be a young man and he is de facto motivated to play well again this 12 months. “
According to Melvin, Wade feels “really good” after a low season full of running in terms of the health of his legs – so much that Wade spoke to Melvin about the outer field in spring.
Wade played only 12 games (42 Innerings) in the outer field last season, the least that he played in a single season since joining the Giants. In his entire career, Wade -7 defensive Runs, which was saved, and in 221 games in the outer field over the average of -7 outs.
In view of the San Francisco squad, Melvin probably doesn't have to play much outfield during the regular season. The Giants already have their starter – Lee in Center, Heliot Ramos in left, Mike Yastrzemski in the right – with Grant McCray, Luis Matos and Marco Luciano, who are fighting for the outside field. Nevertheless, Melvin referred to the need for the team for versatility.
The Giants present a new campaign that revolves around Lee for the coming season. For weekend games in Oracle Park, the team sells special tickets for section 142, each ticket, including a “young hoo crew” t-shirt.
“I do know that I couldn't be here if the fans had love,” said Lee. “I wanted to show the fans and the team the type of player I can be. I would like to meet the expectations that everyone has. “
Originally published:
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