Giants: Three imperfect outfield targets that would add power

Corey Dickerson began the 2019 season with the Pittsburgh Pirates, but he finished the season with Gabe Kapler‘s Philadelphia Phillies.

Surprisingly, Dickerson was designated for assignment following a 2017 season in which he earned an All-Star nod with the Tampa Bays Rays. Shaky defense had been the factor that limited his overall value.

However, he showed improved defensive metrics after he latched on with the Pirates in 2018, producing 16 DRS and an 11.9 UZR as the team’s everyday left fielder, resulting in Gold Glove honors.

Injuries took a significant bite out of his 2019 season, as he played just 78 games, and now he hits the open market looking to prove his worth.

Unlike Castellanos, Dickerson bats from the left side. The Giants will be heavy on left-handed hitting outfielders with Yastrzemski and Dickerson, so he would not necessarily be a perfect fit for that reason.

Still, Dickerson brings a quality bat to the table. He does not possess as much power as Castellanos, but he hits for a higher batting average. Dickerson hit only 12 home runs in an injury-riddled 2019 season, but he has eclipsed the 20-homer plateau three times in his career.

While he is capable of accumulating modest power totals, but his offensive value comes from a high batting average and gap-to-gap pop. He has a .286/.328/.504 career batting line across 2,914 plate appearances.

One red flag is his lack of on-base ability. The 30-year-old has posted a 5.8 percent walk rate against a 21.3 percent strikeout rate over the course of his career. While that strikeout rate is not terribly high, his walk rate is actually below the 7.7 percent mark the Giants produced as a team in 2019.

To reiterate, his offensive profile is not a perfect fit for the Giants, but he would immediately become one of their top offensive outfielders. Given that MLB Trade Rumors predicted that Dickerson would snatch a two-year, $15 million contract in free agency, he does not come with as much risk in terms of years or financial commitment.