SF Giants outfield competition is going to come down to the wire

The SF Giants are sorting through various camp battles down at spring training right now. Probably the biggest battle is among a small group of outfielders vying to earn a spot on the bench. As things stand right now, that competition could come down to the wire.

The guys competing for a spot include Drew Gilbert, who is currently dealing with a shoulder injury, Luis Matos, Jerar Encarnacion, Will Brennan, Jared Oliva, Grant McCray, and Victor Bericoto. They are competing for one or maybe two spots at most on the roster so these final weeks of spring training will be crucial.

SF Giants outfield competition is incredibly close

If the Giants decide to carry just one outfielder, then Matos would probably be the favorite. He is out of minor league options and has looked really good so far in Cactus League play. He's swinging a hot bat so if that's what the Giants want from a guy on the bench then he makes sense.

Another guy who is swinging a hot bat is Victor Bericoto. He is a non-roster invite so the Giants would have to make room on the 40-man roster if he made the team, but he hit a grand slam against the Los Angeles Dodgers earlier in spring which will always get the attention of fans. He can play first base too so he has some added versatility.

Encarnacion is also out of minor league options and got off to a slow start, but he had a solid three-hit performance on Saturday.

If the Giants want to focus more on defense with their bench guys, then Will Brennan could be a possibility. He was signed to add some outfield depth and he can play all three outfield positions. He is also a left-handed hitter which could add some balance to a bench that figures to mostly have right-handed hitters.

Gilbert is also known more for his defense but the shoulder injury has sidelined him for the last week or so. In his audition with the Giants last year he was not all that strong at the plate even if his energy in the dugout was unmatched.

Oliva is probably the fastest guy on the team in Scottsdale. He already has six stolen bases so if the Giants want a burner to come off the bench and pinch run while also being able to play all three outfield positions he could be the guy.

McCray has a ton of speed too and can play all three outfield spots. He has also displayed some impressive patience at the plate in spring training.

All of this will also depend on how many infielders the Giants choose to carry. Assuming they carry four guys on the bench, if they go with Christian Koss, Casey Schmitt, and catcher Daniel Susac that only leaves room for one outfielder. But if they decide to have Koss start the year in Triple-A that could make room for another guy.

No matter how the Giants decide to configure their roster, this outfield competition is going to be one to watch in the final weeks of spring training. The team's starting outfielders are away at the World Baseball Classic so all of these guys are going to get opportunities.