Spring training could be the last stand for this SF Giants infielder

Just a few years ago, David Villar entered spring training as the starting third baseman for the SF Giants. Now, he may be let go by the team unless he has a really strong spring training and breaks camp with the team.

Villar was once a really promising player for the Giants. When he was called up to the big league club in 2022, he impressed with his power. In 181 plate appearances that season, he hit nine home runs and slashed .231/.331/.455 with 24 RBI.

SF Giants infielder David Villar needs a strong spring training

While he looked good that season and showed positive signs, it is somewhat puzzling looking back why the Giants thought he was ready to be an everyday starter at third base. That decision was a precursor to last offseason when the Giants prematurely committed to Marco Luciano as their everyday shortstop.

Villar struggled mightily in 2023 as the starter and did not last long in the role at all as J.D. Davis supplanted him. In 140 plate appearances in 2023, Villar slashed .145/.236/.315 with five home runs and 12 RBI.

The Giants went out and made a big upgrade at third base following the 2023 season when they signed Matt Chapman. Now that Chapman is locked up to a long-term deal, Villar's natural position of third base is closed off as an avenue for him.

He can also play first base and second base, two positions that are a bit more open to competition. Tyler Fitzgerald, Brett Wisely, and Casey Schmitt are clearly ahead of Villar on the depth chart at second base and Wilmer Flores and LaMonte Wade Jr. are ahead of him at first base.

Villar is going to need to get red hot at the plate in the Cactus League if he wants any chance at making the team. Another complicating factor is that Villar is out of minor league options. That means that if he does not break camp with the big league team, he will be put on waivers. If he struggles in spring training and no other teams want him, he could end up clearing waivers and being assigned to Triple-A Sacramento. However, if he performs well but there is just not enough room for him on the team then a team could swoop in and snatch him up.

Villar has the chance to make a final stand in spring training. If he hits well and outperforms Wisely and Schmitt, he could definitely be Tyler Fitzgerald's backup but it is going to take his bat getting red hot.