CINCINNATI — Buster Posey seldom took within the sights and sounds of the ten Opening Days he skilled throughout his enjoying days. There was, in spite of everything, a recreation to win. For his first Opening Day because the Giants’ president of baseball operations, Posey plans to totally benefit from the pomp and circumstance of the afternoon.
“I was telling (Bob Melvin) just a minute ago that I’ll probably go up in the booth pretty early and just take in the pageantry of Opening Day,” Posey mentioned Thursday earlier than the Giants’ opener in Cincinnati. “I never did that as a player because I was hyperfocused on the game. I’m excited to do that.”
The Giants enter their first common season beneath Posey and common supervisor Zack Minasian’s management after being baseball’s finest group throughout spring coaching. San Francisco completed the preseason with a 21-6 report and +57 run differential, each of which have been one of the best in baseball.
Posey’s group excelled in nearly each space of the sport. The Giants completed third in each ERA (3.58) and OPS (.839). Logan Webb, the Opening Day starter for a fourth straight season, and Robbie Ray completed with sub-2.00 ERAs. Matt Chapman hit six homers and posted a 1.271 OPS; Willy Adames, his new accomplice on the left aspect of the infield, hit three homers with a .942 OPS.
“I thought it was a great spring,” Posey mentioned. “The way I would sum it up is it was just a lot of clean, crisp baseball. There’s some moments in there that are teaching moments, but overall, I thought it was a really good spring. Obviously, those games don’t count, but I still think for the tone that we’re trying to set, it was a positive to win some games.”
So far as roster composition, the Giants function a extra right-handed group than most groups. Their bench options Sam Huff, Casey Schmitt, Luis Matos and Christian Koss, all of whom are right-handed. Within the bullpen, Erik Miller is the group’s solely left-handed reliever.
Posey mentioned the group mentioned having a left-handed hitter on the Opening Day roster — infielder Brett Correctly and outfielder Grant McCray have been in competitors to make the group — however added that the Giants thought of different components akin to potential at-bats, protection and baserunning.
“I think we’re all very confident with our bullpen and infield,” Posey mentioned. “There’s guys down there that can get left-handed hitters out. (Tyler Rogers) is an easy one to point to that has had good success against lefties. We’re confident with that group.”
Added supervisor Bob Melvin: “We have to show some faith in these guys, and we felt like the best team to bring with us is the team we have here. As opposed to just trying to make it more left-handed when guys deserve to make the team. … It’s a little right-handed, but we feel good about it.”
A kind of right-handed bats who made the group was Koss, a shock inclusion over Correctly.
“It’s still kind of surreal,” Koss mentioned.
The 27-year-old impressed throughout spring coaching, posting a .341 batting common and .938 OPS with one homer, 5 RBIs and 12 runs scored. Koss performed within the Dominican Winter League with Aguilas Cibaenas alongside Jerar Encarnacion, who will bear surgical procedure on his damaged left hand on Friday. Koss has primarily performed shortstop within the minors however has additionally seen time at second base, third base and all three outfield positions.
“He’s one that I watched this spring that carried himself with such a confidence at short or third or wherever he was playing,” Posey mentioned. “He’s just, to me, the epitome of a baseball player. He’ll go and do anything you ask him to do. We’re excited he’s on the team.”
Regardless of rising up in Southern California, Koss rooted for the Giants and relished of their three championships in 2010, 2012 and 2014. He remembers being in Kansas at his grandparents’ home when Barry Bonds hit his record-breaking 756th house run, staying up late to witness historical past. Koss, traded to the Giants from the Boston Purple Sox final 12 months, additionally remembers being at house when Posey hit his well-known grand slam in opposition to the Reds in Recreation 5 of the 2012 NLDS.
“Growing up, it was always, ‘I could play for the Giants,’” Koss mentioned. “When I got traded over here, it set in that it really could happen.”
Value noting
Posey mentioned prime prospect Bryce Eldridge’s wrist harm isn’t “anything serious” and that the primary baseman wants a bit bit extra relaxation. The Giants have but to find out whether or not he’ll begin the season with Double-A Richmond or Triple-A Sacramento. Posey mentioned it’s a chance that Posey begins the season on the minor league injured record, however the group has but to resolve.
Initially Revealed: March 27, 2025 at 12:29 PM PDT
