SCOTTSDALE — Bob Melvin has a preliminary thought of how his Opening Day lineup will look. When Melvin arms over his first scorecard at Nice American Ballpark on March 27, the sheet of paper will doubtless characteristic Willy Adames within the two-hole, Matt Chapman batting cleanup and Heliot Ramos batting fifth.
So far as the primary spot within the lineup? It might go to Jung Hoo Lee. It might additionally go to LaMonte Wade Jr.
“I haven’t talked to (Lee) yet, but it might not be the leadoff spot,” Melvin stated. “We’ll see. It could be early in the lineup. I mean, Wade gets on base, too. Somebody’s got to hit third, too.”
Melvin elaborated that having Wade and Lee within the first and third spots, respectively, would permit the Giants to separate up their left-handed batters. Together with Lee and Wade, outfielder Mike Yastrzemski and catcher Patrick Bailey (change hitter) hit from the left aspect as effectively. Throughout Cactus League play, Lee and Wade may have alternatives to hit each first and third.
Wade’s best strengths as a participant are his plate self-discipline and talent to get on base. Over the past two seasons, Wade ranks fourth in stroll price (15.0%) and eleventh in on-base share (.376) (min. 900 plate appearances). Wade has had 870 plate appearances within the leadoff spot since becoming a member of San Francisco, accounting for greater than half of his journeys to the plate in a Giants uniform (56.1%).
Whereas Wade doesn’t present a lot energy or velocity — Wade had a .381 slugging share and ranked within the seventh percentile of dash velocity final season — he’s one of the best Large at getting on base by a large margin. Wade, hypothetically, would set the desk for Adames, who totaled career-highs in dwelling runs (32) and RBIs (112) in his last season with the Brewers. Lee, then, would have his personal alternatives to drive in runs, in addition to create visitors for Chapman and Ramos.
In Lee’s injury-shortened rookie season, he had 135 plate appearances within the leadoff spot (.642 OPS) in comparison with 21 plate appearances within the three-hole (.633 OPS). Lee didn’t faucet into the facility that he exhibited in Korea (65 homers, .491 OPS), however the heart fielder did show his capacity to place bat to ball.
Over 158 plate appearances final season, Lee made contact on 91.5% of his swings. If Lee certified, that mark would’ve ranked third within the majors behind Luis Arraez (94.2%) and Steven Kwan (92.8%). Moreover, Lee’s strikeout price of 8.2% would’ve ranked second behind solely Arraez (4.3%) if he certified.
Lee, for his half, has no qualms about the place he hits within the lineup, mentioning that he usually hit third within the KBO.
“It doesn’t matter where I hit in the lineup,” Lee stated by way of crew interpreter Justin Han. “I could be in the eighth hole, ninth hole. If Bob puts me in the lineup, I’m playing that game. I’m going to do what’s best for the team.”
What’s actually finest for the Giants is Lee staying wholesome and taking part in a full season. Lee doesn’t have any lingering ache from his shoulder surgical procedure and at present has no limitations. That stated, Lee famous the need of being extra cautious on protection to keep away from one other freak damage.
“I don’t really have personal goals at the moment,” Lee stated. “I don’t feel too much pressure going on the field. I learned that being a good ballplayer for the team will make everything work better.”
The Giants consider that Lee was on the verge of tapping into the facility he exhibited within the KBO earlier than Lee’s season was out of the blue reduce quick. Melvin lauded Lee’s capacity to make changes final spring, and time will inform whether or not Lee can construct on the muse he set final season.
“I thought he was on his way to having a really good year and we really missed him,” Melvin stated. “I know there’s not a lot of track record at the big leagues with him, but we still feel he’s got a real high ceiling. He’s still a young guy and he’s really motivated to come back and play well this year.”
Wade might see time in outfield
In keeping with Melvin, Wade feels “really good” concerning the well being of his legs following an offseason stuffed with working — a lot in order that Wade talked to Melvin about taking part in the outfield throughout spring.
Wade performed solely 12 video games (42 innings) within the outfield final season, the fewest he’s performed in a single season since becoming a member of the Giants. In his whole profession, Wade has been price -7 defensive runs saved and -7 outs above common throughout 221 video games within the outfield.
Given the state of San Francisco’s roster, Melvin doubtless received’t want Wade to play a lot outfield in the course of the common season. The Giants have already got their starters in place — Lee in heart, Heliot Ramos in left, Mike Yastrzemski in proper — with Grant McCray, Luis Matos and Marco Luciano competing for the outfield spot. That stated, Melvin pointed to the crew’s want for versatility.
Lee grateful for “Jung Hoo Crew”
The Giants are introducing a brand new promotion revolving round Lee for the upcoming season. For weekend video games at Oracle Park, the crew will promote particular tickets to part 142, every ticket together with a “Jung Hoo Crew” t-shirt.
“I know that if there wasn’t the love from the fans, I wouldn’t be able to be here,” Lee stated. “I wanted to show the fans and the team the type of player I can be. I want to meet the expectations that everybody has.”
