3 SF Giants players who take could home the Willie Mac Award

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The end of the season is near and one of the year-end events that excite the fan base is the Willie Mac award ceremony. The award is named after longtime SF Giants first baseman Willie McCovey and is awarded to the most inspirational player both on the field and in the clubhouse. There are three Giants players who should merit serious consideration in 2022.

3 SF Giants players who take could home the Willie Mac Award

The Willie Mac award is voted on by everyone in the organization. It is a fun event because past recipients usually attend to show support for the current recipient. Last season, LaMonte Wade Jr. earned the award due in part to his breakout campaign at the plate and his extremely clutch hits in the later innings.

The Giants organization began to hand out the award in 1980 with power-hitting outfielder Jack Clark being the first recipient. Mike Krukow, J.T. Snow, and Bengie Molina have each received the award multiple times.

At 69-74, the Giants have had a disappointing season. That said, the players are still going out there each day and playing as hard as they can. A few names stand out as particularly impactful Giants this season.

1. Infielder Wilmer Flores

Wilmer Flores has quickly become a fan favorite for a lot of reasons including his steady demeanor and consistent production at the plate. He has been a fantastic addition since inking a three-year, $9.5 million pact prior to the start of the 2020 season.

The good news is that Flores will remain in a Giants uniform through 2024, but his contract includes a mutual option for 2025. The right-handed bat has registered a .233/.318/.309 (103 OPS+) with 18 home runs, 65 RBI, and 66 runs in 529 plate appearances.

His home run output (18) ties a career high, which he previously set in 2017 and 2021. His RBI and runs totals lead all Giants hitters. It has been another solid season for the 31-year-old at the plate.

There is one moment from this season that stands out in terms of Flores' leadership. In a moment of frustration, Carlos Rodón kicked a bat in the dugout that hit Thairo Estrada in the shin. Flores quickly came to Estrada's defense as he was clearly concerned with the young infielder's well-being. Flores is more of a quiet leader in the Giants clubhouse, but he has the respect of his teammates. It feels like he should be the favorite for the Willie Mac award.

Atlanta Braves v San Francisco Giants / Lachlan Cunningham/GettyImages

3 SF Giants players who take could home the Willie Mac Award

2. Infielder Thairo Estrada

There are not many holdovers from this season that should have assurances of playing time next year but Thairo Estrada has definitely played his way into a role for 2023. The Giants acquired the middle infielder in a minor trade with the New York Yankees at the beginning of the 2021 season and that is a move that has paid dividends for San Francisco.

Estrada opened a lot of eyes last year with his impressive play down the stretch. He tallied seven home runs with an .813 OPS in 132 plate appearances in 2021 and that performance helped him solidify a role for this season.

He has continued to hit well, slashing .265/.322/.4111 (105 OPS+) with 13 home runs, 55 RBI, 62 runs, and 18 stolen bases in 23 opportunities. This includes a 5.9 percent walk rate against a 16.8 percent strikeout rate.

His impact on offense has been similar to Wilmer Flores and it feels like the two infielders have formed a bond this season. Similar to Flores, Estrada has been one of the more durable players on the roster, appearing in 123 games out of 143 games played so far.

The 26-year-old has proven to be one of the more versatile options as well. Estrada has appeared in left field, center field, third base, shortstop, and second base. Plus, he hustles on every play. He may be one of the younger players on the roster, but he has exceeded expectations this season and has quickly become a favorite among fans.

Philadelphia Phillies v San Francisco Giants / Thearon W. Henderson/GettyImages

3 SF Giants players who take could home the Willie Mac Award

3.. Pitcher Carlos Rodón

Most of the Giants' roster leans on the quieter side, but Carlos Rodón is not one of them. He often wears his emotions on his sleeve and this team could use more of that.

The left-handed hurler has been electric since the Giants signed him to a two-year, $44 million pact last offseason. His deal includes an opt-out clause that he will likely exercise this winter with the hopes of landing an even bigger payday.

In 28 starts, Rodón has recorded a 2.93 ERA, 2.33 FIP, 1.05 WHIP, 11.7 K/9, and a 4.42 SO/W ratio while earning a NL All-Star bid. Not surprisingly, he leads the Giants' pitching staff in most meaningful categories and will likely set a franchise record in K/9 by the end of this season.

Hopefully, the Giants can find a way to keep the southpaw. Money should not be an issue as the Giants are positioned to have more salary cap space than just about every big-market club. After a rough 2022 season, some fans are skeptical of the front office but retaining Rodón would go a long way in rebuilding trust.

The lefty reminds me of both Logan Webb and Madison Bumgarner in terms of competitive spirit. Each pitcher brings an edge to the mound that makes you think that the Giants have a chance to win when they are pitching. The players, undoubtedly, feel that way too.

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3 SF Giants players who take could home the Willie Mac Award

3 SF Giants players who take could home the Willie Mac Award

3 SF Giants players who take could home the Willie Mac Award

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