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

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.