Giants: Four players on the roster bubble entering spring training

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Giants outfielder Steven Duggar. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

OF Steven Duggar, San Francisco Giants

Steven Duggar could be the starting center fielder for the Giants to begin the season, but he’ll have to earn it.

He certainly has the speed and defensive ability to play every day in center. The big question is whether he can hit enough to warrant a spot in the everyday lineup.

That is the main thing Duggar will have to prove this spring. If he gets hot with the bat and shows that he is more than just a glove and legs, then he would almost certainly be the Opening Day center fielder.

Whether he can put up the numbers necessary to prove he’s capable is another question entirely.

His numbers dipped across the board in 2019, including a dismal .278 on-base percentage. Compare that to Kevin Pillar’s .287 OBP, which was deemed not good enough to be tendered a contract, and it’s clear Duggar would be a severe downgrade in center. That’s especially true because it is unlikely he would approach Pillar’s run production numbers.

Duggar does not have to put up Pillar-like numbers to earn a spot, but he has to at least show he is capable with a bat. A cold spring could mean that Duggar does not make the roster on Opening Day.