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San Francisco Giants: Middle Infield Preview For 2019

By Lamarr Fields

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 11: Brandon Crawford #35 and Joe Panik #12 of the San Francisco Giants stand on the field during a pitching change in the ninth inning of Game Four of their National League Division Series at AT&T Park on October 11, 2016 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 11: Brandon Crawford #35 and Joe Panik #12 of the San Francisco Giants stand on the field during a pitching change in the ninth inning of Game Four of their National League Division Series at AT&T Park on October 11, 2016 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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San Francisco Giants
TORONTO, ON – APRIL 17: Yangervis Solarte #26 of the Toronto Blue Jays hits an RBI single in the fifth inning during MLB game action against the Kansas City Royals at Rogers Centre on April 17, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /

The Challengers

Yangervis Solarte

Newly signed Yangervis Solarte can play all four of the infield positions, he is very versatile. He has been in the league five years, and four of those five was with the San Diego Padres.  Solatre does not strike out very much; he posted a 14.2% strikeout rate last season. Solarte is switch hitter who hit .266 with 17  homers last season for the Bluejays. He will bring some much-needed pop to the Giants line up if he can make the team.

In 2019 i think Solarte will make the Giants roster and will earn a lot of playing time with his bat leading the way. I can see Solarte leading the Giants in home runs if he gets enough plate appearances.

Abiatal Avelino 

Avelino hit .283 with 15 home runs and a .483 slugging percentage in the minors. He got called up to San Francisco in September in the 2018 season. Avelina impressed the coaching staff with his energy and enthusiasm. When called up Avelino hit .273 in only 11 at-bats. He did not put up a significant number in winter ball but did excellent at fielding his position. Avelina can play second base and shortstop and even some outfield.

For 2019, i can see Avelino being do everything utility player; he probably will start the season in Triple-A Sacramento for the River cats so that he can get more at-bats. Avelino needs to have a strong Camp to make the opening day roster which i think could happen.

Breyvic Valera

The Giants acquired Breyvic Valera back in January from the Baltimore Orioles. In the 2018 season in the majors, Valera hit an unimpressive .234 in only 64 at-bats. In the Minor leagues, he hit .261 with nine home runs with a .405 slugging percentage. Valera is a .299 career batting average in the minors. He has some pretty good base running skills and can play three infield positions as well as left and center field.

In 2019 Valera is on the 40 man roster, he probably will make the team due to his ability to play multiple positions, but if he does not have a strong camp, he could be in the minors. The one thing Valera must prove is that he can hit major league pitching consistently.

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