San Francisco Giants: Gorkys Hernandez in 2018? We’ll see

Why Gorkys Hernandez shouldn’t be a part of the outfield for 2018

Look, I’ll admit it was nice that Gorkys had a second half, especially from June on. But the issue here is the Giants can’t consider Gorkys a shoe-in for a roster spot and expect to compete.

The San Francisco Giants are whole-heartedly set on trying to compete in 2018. They’ve also admitted that they need some changes. If you look hard in the mirror and think you are going to compete, after a potential 100 loss season, and then publicly say you are going to need some changes, keeping Gorkys Hernandez likely doesn’t fit that bill.

I like the prospect of Gorkys as much as the next guy, but in reality you have to choose between him and Denard Span. Gorkys is cheaper. But you either have to trade Denard Span (very unlikely), or release him, in which you’re still going to have to pay him $12 million dollars next year. So in reality it’s probably not cheaper to keep Gorkys.

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Denard Span can play left field as a backup, and even center-field in a pinch. That’s totally ok. But what I’m really keeping an eye on is Steven Duggar. Duggar is the best, advanced level, center-field prospect the Giants have.

We’re going to get a good chance to see him in the prospect heavy Arizona Fall-League. If he can come out and have a decent fall-league (injury free!!!), and build on it in spring, I would rather have Duggar on the roster 100%. You could give me a 25 year old who is just getting ready to break out as a B-Level prospect over Gorkys any day.

Most of all, the Giants are going to try and compete for 2018. The biggest issue for them in recent years has not been building up their future with top prospects by having them in “backup” roles. After all, we’re discussing a fourth or fifth outfielder spot with Gorkys.

But is it truly beneficial for them to run him out over maybe giving a younger prospect some time at the big league level when/if they’re ready? The answer to that is no and it always should be no. The Giants can do a better job of preparing their future by not giving those at-bats to 4-A flameouts. Who knows.

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Maybe they uncover their leadoff hitter of the future in Stephen Duggar. They don’t get to know that though, if they don’t give players like that time. Bobby Evans was so “beat up” over what Adam Duvall turned into after he left San Francisco. They can avoid that by actually giving chances to their young kids over people who have clearly reached their ceiling.

Want to have your voice heard on this? Comment below or tweet at us @roundthefoghorn! Tweet us with either #YesGorkys or #NoGorkys and a few words on why or why not.