San Francisco Giants: An Early Look at Battle for Left Field

Jul 1, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; San Francisco Giants outfielder Jarrett Parker reacts against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 1, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; San Francisco Giants outfielder Jarrett Parker reacts against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

We are just five games into spring training for the San Francisco Giants, but many position battles, including left field, are already heating up.

Today we are going to focus on the battle in left field — a battle that seems like it could already be wrapped up due to contract status and options.

It sounds more-and-more like Jarrett Parker will get the starting job out of spring training unless Mac Williamson just goes bananas .

Parker doesn’t have any options left and therefore can’t be sent back down to the minors because they Giants could lose him through waivers. Williamson does have options left and can be sent down without fear of losing him through waivers.

Regardless, I don’t see why both can’t make the team out of spring training, unless the San Francisco Giants just want someone with more flexibility on their bench.

Both have played in three games this spring, so let’s take a look at their performance.

In eight at-bats this spring Williamson has two hits. He’s also walked once, struck out once and scored two runs.

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Meanwhile, Parker also has 2 hits but in 6 at-bats. Plus, he’s also walked three times, hit a home run, scored two runs, drove in two and struck out twice.

Williamson started in left field in game two of spring training and went 0-2. He bounced back nicely in game three going 2-3 with a walk, a strikeout and two runs scored. On Tuesday he got the start in right field and went 0-3.

Parker started the first game of spring and went 0-2 with a walk and two strikeouts. He started in right field in game three and batted in the four spot where he went 2-2 with a home run, two runs scored, two RBIs and two walks. Parker moved back to left field in game four and went 0-2.

So basically both guys have had one really good game, and two bad performances. Like I said, if there isn’t much separation between the two, which is the case through five games, then Parker will most likely win the job.

It’s still very early in spring training, but it’s worth keeping an eye on these two players. Even if Mac and Parker stay neck-and-neck, I think the San Francisco Giants have to consider keeping both guys on the major league roster.

Next: San Francisco Giants: MLB Pipeline Releases Their Top 30 Prospects

Check back with Around the Foghorn throughout spring training as we take a look at each of the position battles on the San Francisco Giants.