SF Giants: Who would benefit from a 29-man roster?

There has been speculation that the MLB could move to 29-man rosters should baseball be played in 2020. This raises the question: How would the San Francisco Giants take advantage of an expanded roster and which players would benefit from the proposed move?

Obviously, some players who were previously on the bubble would now be able to make the team whereas they may well have been cut if circumstances were normal and only 26 players were allowed on a roster.

There are several options the Giants have if they do indeed have three more roster spots. If I was in charge of setting the roster, I would add one more outfielder for the bench, one more infielder for the bench, and one more pitcher.

So without further ado, let’s take a look at the three players who stand to benefit from a proposed 29-man roster on the San Francisco Giants.

SF Giants’ 29-man roster candidate: OF Billy Hamilton

Hamilton was competing with a small militia of outfielders for a spot on the team, but with an expanded roster he would almost certainly make the team.

His speed and defensive ability would be a huge boon off the bench. In a piece I wrote seemingly a lifetime ago I had both Darin Ruf and Jaylin Davis on the bench: two power bats so the Giants would not have to worry about Hamilton’s lack of power.

He may well have made the roster with only 26 men allotted to make the team, but he would almost definitely force his way onto the team with expanded rosters for the Giants.

SF Giants’ 29-man roster candidate: IF Yolmer Sanchez

Sanchez was brought into camp as a very good defensive second baseman who could not hit very well. He is very similar to Hamilton in this respect.

While I thought Wilmer Flores and Donovan Solano would have squeezed him out of a spot on the bench, with 29 men he would be a great defensive addition to the bench.

Plus, if the Giants were to play Mauricio Dubon more often in center field, it would certainly help to have a player you definitely know can play the position on the team. He can’t hit very well, but that’s what Flores and Solano are on the team for.

SF Giants’ 29-man roster candidate: P Tyson Ross

Ross was a part of a logjam of pitchers competing for a spot on the team. The injury to Tyler Beede that resulted in season-ending surgery opened up the competition quite a bit, and a seasoned starter like Ross would have been a welcome addition to a shaky rotation.

He also would be a solid option in a long relief role. With the shaky rotation, there are bound to be some short starts if games are played so it would help to have a player like Ross who could come in and eat up some innings for the team.

So there you go, three players who could greatly benefit from a 29-man roster if baseball ends up being played in 2020 under this proposed expanded roster.