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San Francisco Giants: 10 best second basemen in franchise history

By Joel Reuter
20 Oct 2001: Jeff Kent #21 of the San Francisco Giants swings for the bleachersduring the game against the Houston Astros at Pac Bell Park in San Francisco, California. The Astros defeated the Giants 5-4.Mandatory Credit: Tom Hauck /Allsport
20 Oct 2001: Jeff Kent #21 of the San Francisco Giants swings for the bleachersduring the game against the Houston Astros at Pac Bell Park in San Francisco, California. The Astros defeated the Giants 5-4.Mandatory Credit: Tom Hauck /Allsport /
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NEW YORK, NY – AUGUST 23: Joe Panik #12 of the San Francisco Giants turns a double play as Jeff McNeil #68 of the New York Mets slides in the eighth inning during their game at Citi Field on August 23, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /

10. Ron Hunt (1968-1979), San Francisco Giants

Stats: 103 OPS+, .262/.374/.335, 360 H, 11 HR, 110 RBI, 221 R
WAR: 9.8 rWAR/7.9 fWAR
Accolades: N/A
WS Titles: 0

Hunt is perhaps best known for his ability to get in the way of oncoming baseballs. He’s sixth on the all-time list with 243 hit by pitches, and he racked up 76 beanings in his three seasons with the Giants, leading the NL in that category each year.

That helped boost his on-base percentage to a standout level and propped up an otherwise average offensive game.

He was traded to the Montreal Expos after the 1970 season in exchange for first baseman Dave McDonald, who was then sold back to the Expos three months later.

9. Joe Panik (2014-Present), San Francisco Giants

Stats: 98 OPS+, .274/.335/.390, 567 H, 34 HR, 201 RBI, 261 R
WAR: 6.7 rWAR/8.8 fWAR
Accolades: 1x All-Star, 1x Gold Glove
WS Titles: 1

There was a time when Panik was one of the most promising young middle infielders in baseball.

He hit .305 with a .343 on-base percentage to finish sixth in NL Rookie of the Year voting in 2014, and he made the NL All-Star team the following year when he batted .312/.378/.455 with 37 extra-base hits in a 3.3 WAR season.

However, in the four years since, he’s been worth just 2.3 WAR combined, including a -0.2 WAR mark since the start of the 2018 season.

The 28-year-old will be a free agent after the 2020 season, and that could usher in a changing of the guard at the position.

8. Tito Fuentes (1965-1967, 1969-1974), San Francisco Giants

Stats: 80 OPS+, .262/.304/.345, 1,000 H, 34 HR, 306 RBI, 417 R
WAR: 8.3 rWAR/7.3 fWAR
Accolades: N/A
WS Titles: 0

Fuentes manned second base 842 times during his tenure with the Giants.

So while the numbers don’t exactly jump off the page, he brought stability to the position, and he was a fan favorite during his time with the team.

He was traded to the San Diego Padres along with Butch Metzger following the 1974 season in exchange for utility man Derrel Thomas posted 2.6 WAR in three seasons with the Giants.

Fuentes was inducted into the Cuban Baseball Hall of Fame in 1997.

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