5 call-ups who could immediately bolster the struggling SF Giants lineup

5 call-ups who could immediately bolster the struggling SF Giants lineup

Number one: Outfielder Luis Matos

The young outfielder Luis Matos absolutely tore it up in Spring Training. He hit a number of impressive home runs and was probably the best hitter on the team during those exhibition games.

However, he was left off the Opening Day roster. This is due to the fact that Mike Yastrzemski and Austin Slater, two veterans who have struggled mightily to start this season, are ahead of him on the depth chart currently.

Of course, that could change if the two veterans continue to struggle and Matos continues to hit well in Triple-A Sacramento. Matos has cooled off a bit in Triple-A after a hot start that saw him hit two home runs in his first game of the season.

Despite this, it seems like a Matos call-up could be imminent if the offense continues to struggle. The Giants would certainly not get rid of Slater or Yastrzemski so early in the season to make room for Matos, but they could demote a bench player like Tyler Fitzgerald to sacrifice some defensive versatility for some offensive pop.

The next minor leaguer is a guy who could have taken the starting shortstop job and run with it if he had a stronger Spring Training.

5 call-ups who could immediately bolster the struggling SF Giants lineup

Number Two: Shortstop Marco Luciano

Throughout the offseason, the Giants seemed to suggest that Marco Luciano was the favorite for the starting shortstop job. Unfortunately, a cold spring prevented that from happening. He began to turn things around with his bat later in Spring Training, but by that point the veteran invite to camp Nick Ahmed had done enough with his bat and glove to earn the starting job.

Ahmed has done a good job on defense so far this season, which is the main reason why he is in the lineup. With a pitching staff that puts the ball on the ground as much as the Giants, it makes a lot of sense why they would like to have a glove like Ahmed's at short.

Ahmed has not hit poorly by any means, but there is room for improvement. Luciano has gotten off to a hot start in Triple-A, with 13 hits in 35 at-bats as of this writing. In his brief debut last season, Luciano proved that he can hit the ball really hard which would be welcome in this lineup currently.

Of course, the Giants would be sacrificing defense if they replaced Ahmed with Luciano at shortstop. Perhaps they could mix Luciano in at second base if Thairo Estrada continues to struggle at the plate.

The next player was a big part of the team last season and he could provide a spark again.

5 call-ups who could immediately bolster the struggling SF Giants lineup

Number Three: Outfielder Blake Sabol

Blake Sabol was a very pleasant surprise for the Giants in 2023. As a former Rule 5 draftee, the Giants stuck him on the roster to see what he was capable of and he proved he was pretty solid at the plate. In 2023 he hit .235/.301/.394 with 13 home runs and 44 RBI.

The Giants played him more at catcher last season, but this year it seems more like they want him to be an outfielder and first baseman. That could give the Giants a reason to call him up and play him at a corner outfielder spot or first base to see if he can provide any sort of spark for the team.

Sabol has not gotten off to a hot start in Triple-A. As of this writing he only has 4 hits in 28 at-bats. It is still early so he can heat up, but his solid 2023 campaign should be taken into account. It sure would have helped to have his late-game heroics against the Nationals on Tuesday night.

The next player is a young outfielder who could finally prove himself with the Giants.

5 call-ups who could immediately bolster the struggling SF Giants lineup

Number Four: Outfielder Heliot Ramos

It is easy to forget that outfielder Heliot Ramos is still just 24 years old. We have heard so much about him since the Giants drafted him when he was 17, but he just has not delivered on his high promise at the big-league level.

Ramos has a very small sample size in his MLB career, but it is not all that impressive. He has slashed .158/.220/.250 with one home run and 2 RBI in his career. Small sample size, but not great.

He has better career numbers in the minors, so you would think that he is not that far off from having a breakthrough at the big-league level. He is off to a great start in Triple-A as he already has 3 home runs as of this writing.

If he continues to hit well at Triple-A, he could force the Giants to call him up and see if he could deliver on all of that promise and talent that we know he has.

The final player on this list provided a spark for the Giants when he was called up last season, and perhaps he could do it again this season.

5 call-ups who could immediately bolster the struggling SF Giants lineup

Number Five: Infielder Casey Schmitt

Last season when Casey Schmitt was called up in early May, he tore the cover off the ball and impressed with his strong arm. There were some who even thought he was the heir apparent to Brandon Crawford at shortstop.

However, his bat cooled off more and more throughout the season and he ended the season with a batting average in the low .200's. The signing of Matt Chapman made it clear that Schmitt would not be in the mix for playing a ton of third base, but he can still play shortstop and second base which makes him a versatile choice for the team.

Schmitt is off to a very cool start in Triple-A, but if his bat can heat up by the end of the month perhaps the Giants can call him up and he can provide that spark like he did in early May of last year. He could play shortstop and second or give Chapman a day off when he needs a rest and, if he hits well, could force himself into the lineup on a more consistent basis.

As of right now, it seems like manager Bob Melvin is not going to make any kneejerk reactions despite the offense's slow start. He said as much recently after another loss. And the Giants should not make any rash decisions. It is still early and there is time for the offense to get on track.

However, if these offensive struggles persist throughout the rest of this month, it would not be at all surprising to see the Giants call up one or two of these five players to see if they can provide a spark and get the offense going.