This SF Giants September call-up will be hard-pressed to get much playing time

The SF Giants made their September call-ups recently and one of them was Grant McCray. Besides snubbing their top prospect, this move does not make a ton of sense because McCray seems unlikely to get very much playing time at all.

Many people were hoping the team would make a splashy call up by promoting Bryce Eldridge or at least giving fresh acquisitions like pitcher Blade Tidwell or catcher Jesus Rodriguez a shot. Instead, they opted for the more safe and boring route by promoting the outfielder McCray and pitcher J.T. Brubaker.

SF Giants September call-up seems unlikely to get much playing time

The Brubaker promotion makes sense since the team just  acquired him and teams can always use a fresh bullpen arm this time of year. However, the McCray call up is a bit more puzzling.

Just a few weeks ago it was fair to wonder why McCray was even still on the roster. He was struggling at the big league level and was not getting any playing time so it was not a huge shock when he was demoted shortly after that. And yet, he is back again.

The Giants already have four outfielders right now with Jung Hoo Lee in center, Heliot Ramos in left, and Luis Matos and Drew Gilbert splitting time in right field. With how impressive both Matos and Gilbert have been as of late, it would not make much sense for McCray to cut into their playing time at all. The Giants need to stick with their hot bats so Matos and Gilbert should both get ample opportunities.

Maybe the Giants are thinking McCray could give Lee and Ramos a rest down the stretch. Both of those guys have played a lot this season so maybe the hope is McCray, who is a plus defender anywhere in the outfield despite his limitations at the plate, could give those guys some rest.

Still, it is hard to see him getting very much playing time especially if the team continues its hot streak and starts to look like they could legitimately snag a spot in the playoffs. He needs to start doing something at the plate if he wants that to happen.

Maybe they are also thinking he can come into games late and pinch run with his great speed or maybe come in as a replacement for the defensively challenged Ramos out in left field. 

Whatever they are thinking, it remains a slightly puzzling move and certainly is not the most intriguing call-up they could have made. 

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