SF Giants Spring Training: 6 Competitions to Watch

It’s that time of year once again. Pitchers and catchers for all 30 MLB teams have reported to Spring Training. Located in Scottsdale, Arizona, the SF Giants facility welcomed their entire big-league staff and 70 players to prepare for another baseball season. As the league gears up for their first full-season since 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic continues looming over the schedule. For now, though, the league and many players remain intent on playing.

With the return of a 162-game season comes two fewer roster spots than the 28-man rosters in effect last season. Farhan Zaidi constantly shuffled the back end of the roster last season. By maximizing those two additional spots, manager Gabe Kapler maximized platoon switches and consistently had an 8-10 pitcher bullpen to work with. This season, he will not have such flexibility.

More players, including some of last season’s significant contributors, will be in legitimate competitions for an Opening Day roster spot with fewer available. Still, the vast majority of the roster has already been decided. Below are the 20 players almost certainly assured to be on the Giants big-league roster on Opening Day if they are not injured or traded before then.

SF Giants Projected Opening Day Roster Locks

C Buster Posey
C Curt Casali
1B Brandon Belt
1B Wilmer Flores
2B/3B/1B Tommy La Stella
2B Donovan Solano
SS Brandon Crawford
3B Evan Longoria
CF/SS Mauricio Dubón
OF Alex Dickerson
OF Mike Yastrzemski
SP Kevin Gausman
SP Johnny Cueto
SP Anthony DeSclafani
SP Alex Wood
SP Aaron Sanchez
RHP Matt Wisler
RHP Tyler Rogers
LHP Sam Selman
LHP Jake McGee

Injuries and other potential transactions will likely change things. However, for now, the rest of the players in camp are competing for one of those final six spots. Beyond the roster, though, many are competing for playing time and more prominent roles on the roster. Check out the six most important to watch this spring.