SF Giants: 3 players that need to prove themselves in 2022

SF Giants: 3 players that need to prove themselves in 2022

2. Austin Slater

Austin Slater is very similar to Duggar in that we know he has the potential to be an everyday player but has not shown the consistency required to play every day. He has power, speed, a strong (though sometimes inaccurate) arm, and he can play all three outfield positions well.

In 2021 he played in 129 games and hit .241/.320/.423 with 12 home runs and 32 RBI. At one point early in the season he was playing regularly as the starting center fielder but by the end of the year he was only starting against lefties and coming into games late for his defense.

Slater figures to be a part of the team's plans in 2022 at the very least as an above average bench piece, but he has to prove that he can be more consistent if he wants more playing time. I believe Slater has the potential to put up the kind of numbers that Darin Ruf did last year, but he has to prove that he is able to produce against both righties and lefties if that is to happen.

With how effective the team's matchup-heavy approach was in 2021, the Giants are bound to try and replicate it in 2022. Slater is a perfect fit for that approach which is why he will play a role on the team next season, but he has to prove that he can take on a larger role with the team.