Young SF Giants infielder deemed most underrated from 2023 NL Rookie of the Year winner

Young SF Giants infielder Brett Wisely has quietly played his way into the plans for 2024 and beyond. However, his production has not gone unnoticed. 2023 NL Rookie of the Year winner Corbin Carroll
considers Wisely to be one of the most underrated players in baseball.

Young SF Giants infielder deemed most underrated from 2023 NL Rookie of the Year winner

Carroll was interviewed by the Bat Boys on TikTok where he was asked about who he thought was one of the more underrated players in baseball. The young outfielder mentioned that he told Joc Pederson that he enjoys watching Wisely play.

Carroll's career got off to a meteoric start, which included an eight-year, $111 million extension that he signed prior to the 2023 season. That is a sizable investment despite having limited action in the majors at that point in time, but he was considered one of the best prospects in baseball since being drafted in the first round of the 2019 draft.

The left-handed bat quickly rewarded that contract with a stellar 2023 campaign in which he registered a .285/.362/.506 line (133 wRC+) with 25 home runs, 76 RBI, and 116 runs in 565 plate appearances. This included 54 stolen bases in 59 opportunities.

Carroll earned an NL All-Star bid while running away with the NL Rookie of the Year Award. He even finished in fifth place in the NL MVP voting all while helping his team reach the World Series.

The 23-year-old has struggled to a .607 OPS with just two home runs in 364 plate appearances this season.

On the other hand, Brett Wisely began the year in Triple-A and was not necessarily considered anything more than a depth player with options. However, the middle infielder has carved out a role with the 2024 Giants as he has slashed .287/.320/.435 (116 wRC+) with three home runs, 15 RBI, and 15 runs in 123 plate appearances.

Wisely has cemented himself as the primary option at shortstop for now. Plus, he has seen time at second base with Thairo Estrada on the injured list. He can even handle center field if needed.

Given that he hits from the left side and the fact that the Giants are light on left-handed-hitting infielders, there is playing time available. He has grabbed ahold of that playing time with a steady bat at the plate and surprisingly quality defense at shortstop.

This was arguably unexpected when he struggled to a .497 OPS in 131 plate appearances last season, but his nice improvement has not gone unnoticed by one of the better players in baseball last season.