SF Giants outfielder may be headed for platoon role after Gilbert, Brennan are recalled

The SF Giants made some roster moves on Wednesday ahead of the game against the Cincinnati Reds. Outfielders Jared Oliva and Harrison Bader went on the IL, Oliva due to a wrist fracture and Bader due to a hamstring strain, while outfielders Drew Gilbert and Will Brennan were recalled from Triple-A Sacramento.

Both players were inserted into Wednesday night’s lineup while Heliot Ramos was put on the bench against a right-handed starter which could give a hint that Ramos, who has been struggling so far this season, may be headed for more of a platoon role.

A platoon in left field could make a lot of sense for SF Giants

With how poor San Francisco’s outfield as a whole has been, a shakeup was needed at some point. Both Gilbert and Brennan have impressed in Triple-A to start the season. The fact that they are both left-handed and can play all three outfield positions makes them a much better fit on the roster than others like Oliva or Jerar Encarnacion. 

Gilbert slashed .289/.389/.400 with a homer and three runs driven in for Triple-A. Brennan had a .392 batting average with one homer and 10 runs driven in. With Ramos primarily doing damage against lefties in his career, it might make sense for him to be more of a platoon bat with either Gilbert or Brennan.

Ramos will obviously not be taken out of the lineup entirely given his track record. He should still see at-bats against right-handed pitchers even if his .226/.250/.258 slash line and alarming strikeout rate leaves a lot to be desired. But if Brennan or Gilbert can provide some sort of spark for a lineup in desperate need of one then manager Tony Vitello will have to work them into the batting order more often.

Brennan’s career splits in the big leagues are especially pronounced. The former Cleveland Guardians outfielder has slashed .281/.325/.396 in his career against righties compared to .192/.205/.248 against lefties.

As for Ramos, he has slashed .272/.338/.490 versus lefties and just .247/.306/.378 against righties. That might make for a nice platoon in left field between Brennan and Ramos if those numbers hold.

Maybe Gilbert could even force a platoon in center field with Bader once he returns from injury if the University of Tennessee product starts to hit the ball at the big league level. Gilbert hit a paltry .190 in his stint with the team last season although he did clearly provide a lot of energy which helped spur a late season charge from the team.

Both Brennan and Gilbert are in the lineup tonight so they have a chance to impress and perhaps even earn themselves a platoon role especially with how bad San Francisco's outfield has been offensively so far.

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