San Francisco Giants 2017 Player Review: The Infielders

Conor Gillaspie and Aaron Hill

When the season began, it was clear that the Giants wanted the bench to include veteran bats that could play multiple positions. While Gillaspie and Hill didn’t have the versatility to excel at multiple positions, they had played several different positions and were willing to come off the bench. Sometimes, that is as hard to find as a starter.

Unfortunately, the results just weren’t there either player. Gillaspie, who was coming off the greatest October of his life in 2016, just couldn’t continue to show the same production as he had shown the previous year.

By August, Gillaspie was designated for assignment. He had a hard time staying healthy and just didn’t show the same production.

Of course no matter what Gillaspie did in 2017, his name will forever live in Giants history for what he did in 2016.

And in Mets history…

Hill was even worse, appearing in just 34 games. In 68 at bats, he slashed .132/.250/.235 and was designated for assignment in June.

The Giants were always trying to squeeze more time out of veterans that had a great reputation in the locker room, knowing that team chemistry was as important as anything from a bench contributor.

The Giants clearly needed to get more production from their bench on the field, however, if they want to be able to win close games and have the depth necessary to play meaningful games in September and October.