SF Giants may be headed for some agonizingly difficult lineup decisions soon

The SF Giants offense has been pretty up and down to begin the season. Some games they look great, others they look completely incompetent. That inconsistency could force the Giants to make some difficult lineup decisions in the near future.

Right now, the team’s best hitter very well may be Casey Schmitt. He had three doubles on Friday night against the Baltimore Orioles and then had another good game on Sunday in Baltimore as he recorded three hits including his first home run of the season. In total he had seven hits across the three-game series and is currently hitting .368/.429/.579 with one homer and four runs driven in.

SF Giants may have tough lineup decisions to make soon

He has been used as a designated hitter recently after beginning the season as the team's first baseman. Right now the team doesn't really have any solid options at first base so Schmitt could cycle back in there at times.

His bat will likely not be coming out of the lineup soon, but what if top prospect Bryce Eldridge continues to hit the ball hard and make noise in Triple-A and earns himself a promotion? That could definitely complicate things in the lineup.

If the Giants do promote Eldridge at some point, they are probably not doing so just to give themselves a bigger power threat off the bench. They are going to want the 21-year-old to start and that means someone else will see less playing time as a result.

If Eldridge is at first base that will mean Rafael Devers is the DH so long as he’s healthy. Luis Arraez will be at second base as long as he is healthy so that means Schmitt could potentially end up being the odd man out.

Of course, maybe the Giants would opt for a platoon with the two players. Schmitt could start against lefties and Eldridge against righties so they both see playing time. Still, it would feel a little bit unfair to Schmitt if he stays hot at the plate only to see his playing time reduced. 

But the Giants are going to have to try something at some point to give the offense a spark. The team is 6-10 and if they finish the month on this current trajectory then the calls for Eldridge to earn a promotion will reach a fever pitch. They are already growing louder and louder by the day.

If Schmitt stays hot the Giants will have to find a way to keep his bat in the lineup. But that will become more complicated if and when the Giants decide to call up their tall first baseman from Triple-A Sacramento. 

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