SAN FRANCISCO — Just about nothing is going right for the Giants’ offense, but Casey Schmitt has been the lone exception.
On Monday, he hammered his fifth home run of the season and is responsible for their past three trips around the bases dating back to last Saturday.
Consider the versatile 27-year-old’s breakout a rare bright spot in an otherwise dreadful start. Schmitt has been so good, in fact, and the Giants so bad, that he may need to acquire some new equipment.
Manager Tony Vitello wasn’t just kidding around when he said Schmitt, who plays all four infield positions, could add corner outfield to his portfolio — just to keep his bat in the lineup.
“It’s a definite possibility,” Vitello said before Schmitt homered again inMonday’s 3-2 win over the Padres.
In a lineup that has produced the fewest runs in the majors, Schmitt has led the pack so far in home runs (five), RBIs (16), on-base percentage (.359), slugging (.542) and OPS+ (155).
He has a strong arm and has shown an ability to move around the diamond, but Schmitt said he hasn’t played outfield since he was a sophomore at Eastlake High School outside San Diego.
He remembers shagging fly balls at one point last season, but admitted he doesn’t own an outfield glove.
“I’ll see if I can find one. Someone will have an extra one, for sure — it’s the big leagues,” Schmitt said. “I’m open to anything.”
The early struggles of Willy Adames (64 OPS+), Rafael Devers (64 OPS+) and Matt Chapman (89 OPS+) opened the door for Schmitt to get everyday opportunities. But it also led to the promotion Monday oftop prospect Bryce Eldridge, further crowding the picture in the infield and at designated hitter.
Source: California Post – Breaking California News, Photos & Videos
