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3 non-roster SF Giants position players to follow during spring training

By Jeff Young |
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The SF Giants published its list of non-roster invitees earlier this week. While that group leans heavily in favor of pitchers, there are a few position players to follow in camp. Grant McCray, Adrian Sugastey , and Yoshi Tsutsugo are just some of the names to watch.

3 non-roster SF Giants position players to follow during spring training

In recent years, the Giants have leaned more in favor of drafting pitchers and this year's non-roster list reflects that point. It is heavy on intriguing pitchers, but light on position players.

Nonetheless, there are a few prospects and some veteran players who will be in camp. Of course, the Giants are not limited to this list. They can pull players from minor league camp when the need arises. That usually occurs when teams have split-squad games.

Perhaps, a notable omission is infield Aeverson Arteaga. Arteaga was eligible for the Rule 5 draft this year, but the Giants chose not to protect him. Regardless, he could be an option for the Giants sooner rather than later as he is expected to begin the season in Double-A.

1. Outfielder Grant McCray

Similar to Arteaga, it was a bit of a surprise that McCray was not protected from the Rule 5 draft. He finished the 2023 season in High-A and his offensive profile is still raw in some respects. So, it was not a huge shock when he was passed up in the Rule 5 draft.

His defense and speed made him a potential fifth outfielder candidate for another team, but it is hard to hide position players on the active roster. They need to get at-bats at some point, and for McCray, he still needs minor league seasoning before his bat is ready.

With all that being said, the 23-year-old continues to rank as one of the Giants' better prospects. He is coming off of a solid 2023 campaign in which he slashed .255/.360/.417 (114 wRC+) with 14 home runs, 66 RBI, and 101 runs in 584 plate appearances with the Eugene Emeralds. This includes a 12.3 percent walk rate, 29.3 percent strikeout rate, and a .162 ISO.

McCray also swiped 52 bases in 62 opportunities. He really does fill up the box score. Though, his strikeout rate is something to monitor as he advances through the minors.

The 2019 third-round pick is arguably the best defensive outfielder in the organization. He has the speed to stick in center field while getting good reads off of the bat and running efficient routes to the ball. His arm is probably the weakest part of his defensive profile but it is passable for center field.

Given that McCray is in camp and is capable of playing center field, he should get plenty of game reps late in the game as a defensive replacement. Plus, he will likely be aggressive on the bases.

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3 non-roster SF Giants position players to follow during spring training

2. Catcher Adrian Sugastey

You can never have enough catchers in camp. Adrian Sugastey will be one of the younger players in camp after finishing his age-20 season in 2023.

Not surprisingly, Sugastey is still raw in just about every facet of the game. However, he has excellent bat-to-ball skills, and boasts a quality hit tool with the chance of adding more power as he matures. The right-handed bat registered a .298/.333/.423 (104 wRC+) with four home runs, 23 RBI, and 20 runs in 264 High-A plate appearances. This includes a 4.9 percent walk rate, 14.0 percent strikeout rate, and a .125 ISO.

Sugastey's .125 ISO was a modest increase from the .093 ISO he posted with the San Jose Giants in 2022. Plus, he managed to bring down his strikeout rate from 15.6 percent in 2022 to 14.0 percent in 2023. These are encouraging signs given that he advanced up a level.

His defense is still very raw. His blocking and throwing skills need to be refined but that comes with more experience. With catchers, the path to development is usually slower, so there is a chance that he does become adequate behind the dish with time. The experience in major league camp should help his development.

3. Infielder/outfielder Yoshi Tsutsugo

Of the non-roster position players in camp, Yoshi Tsutsugo is the only one with any type of meaningful major league experience. And, he has had moments of success against major league pitching as well.

The Giants signed the veteran bat late in the 2023 season and there was a good chance that he appeared with the Giants if he had not sustained a fractured thump during a game with the Sacramento River Cats in September.

Tsutsugo had an excellent 10-year career in the NPB before joining the Tampa Bay Rays prior to the 2020 season. He struggled during that time and bounced around from the Rays to the Los Angeles Dodgers to the Pittsburgh Pirates.

During his stint with the Pirates in 2021, the lefty bat tallied an .883 OPS with eight home runs in 144 plate appearances. Pittsburgh re-signed him for the following season, bit he was unable to replicate his 2021 performance.

Tsutusgo registered a 1.014 OPS in 55 plate appearances with the Richmond Flying Squirrels before getting 16 plate appearances with Sacramento to finish the season. He became a free agent after the season but re-signed with the club in December.

While he has not had much success in the majors, the Giants do like his at-bat quality. The 32-year-old has an excellent 11.8 percent walk rate in his three-year career.

However, finding playing time might be tough as he is limited to first base and left field. The Giants have both of those positions covered, but they like what he brings to the table. If the depth at either position takes a hit, Tsutsugo could be one of the first names called.

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