LOS ANGELES — The Giants could also be out of the playoff hunt, however with a month of the season to go, supervisor Gabe Kapler is taking the chance to remind his gamers that the remaining video games matter, nonetheless.
“Each particular person has one thing on the road and at stake,” Kapler mentioned. “I feel there’s a method to end robust for us that may create a very good springboard for ‘23 and I feel we’re all centered and taking that severely.”
As a workforce, the Giants’ objectives in September ought to embody warding off Arizona for third place within the NL West and ending the season at or above .500. They would want to go 17-13 over their ultimate 30 video games, beginning Monday night time at Dodger Stadium, to succeed in 81 wins.
For particular person gamers, it is perhaps cash, taking part in time, private accolades or some mixture of the three.
Joey Bart: Set to return Tuesday from a concussion, Bart will spend the ultimate month of the season cementing the modifications which have led to his turnaround on the plate. Since returning July 6 from a monthlong task at Triple-A with a reworked swing, Bart has hit .283 with six of his 10 house runs for the season. If Bart had sufficient plate appearances to qualify, his .803 OPS since July 6 would rank tenth amongst major-league catchers. If he can hold that up for the ultimate month of the season, the Giants can enter 2023 assured of their future behind house plate.
Lewis Brinson: A former first-round decide and high prospect, Brinson, 28, is now on his fifth group and attempting to stay within the majors. The Giants took a flyer once they acquired him for money and confirmed they’re at the least considerably invested in seeing what they’ve bought by including him to their expanded roster.
Camilo Doval: Kapler refused to call a better coming into this season, however that gained’t be the case subsequent 12 months. Doval has already gained the job. Now, it’s about seeing how far he can push his new, nasty three-pitch combine. Since including an upper-90s sinker to his triple-digit four-seamer and wipeout slider, Doval has appeared in 17 video games and allowed an earned run solely twice, posting a 1.96 ERA and 10.3 Okay/9. Set to surpass his career-high in innings in his subsequent look (at 56, he’s a 3rd of an inning away), Doval has proven no indicators of sporting down, topping out at 102 mph in his previous outing. Over the ultimate month of the season, the Giants might be seeking to see how Doval handles multi-inning saves and mixes his pitches.
Luis González: After a blazing begin that earned him the NL Rookie of the Month in Might, main league pitchers have adjusted to González, who most likely gained’t be receiving any Rookie of the 12 months votes. González, nevertheless, can nonetheless show to the Giants that he’s worthy of reserving a roster spot for subsequent season amongst a crowded group of left-handed hitting outfielders.
Jakob Junis: Since getting back from a midseason hamstring pressure, Junis has a 6.67 ERA, greater than twice as excessive as his mark earlier than the damage. Whereas tendering Junis a contract for subsequent season is already a no brainer (he would undergo the arbitration course of if the perimeters don’t settle), he can lock down a rotation spot with a powerful end to this season.
Carlos Rodón: No person ever needs damage on anybody, however within the case of Rodón, the Giants have to be tossing salt over each shoulders, knocking on each little bit of wooden and searching for rabbit’s toes hoping that he’s capable of end the season wholesome. If Rodón is as sturdy and efficient in his ultimate six begins as he has been all season, Rodón will definitely command a career-making contract (assume 5 years, $100-plus million). Why is that a good factor for the Giants, who appear unlikely to penny as much as hold him at these phrases? As a result of the one situation by which Rodón accepts his participant possibility includes damage, which might be a worst-case consequence for each events. In that situation, the Giants could possibly be on the hook for a $22.5 million rehab task.
David Villar: After main the Pacific Coast League in homers (with 27), Villar should show that energy swing can translate to the majors. Villar, 26, ought to enter spring coaching as a candidate for a roster spot however might enhance his standing with a greater end than his present .157 common and .567 OPS within the majors.
LaMonte Wade Jr./Mike Yastrzemski: The 2 shiniest gems Farhan Zaidi has uncovered in his tenure with the Giants have each struggled this season to copy their success. Nonetheless below workforce management, each ought to be again subsequent season however in what capability continues to be to be decided.
Logan Webb: Together with his begin Monday night time in opposition to the Dodgers, Webb set a brand new career-high with 27 appearances. He’s already blown by way of his earlier profession excessive in innings. Each pitch he throws from right here on out solely units him up higher to deal with a bigger workload subsequent season, which is able to seemingly start with Webb making his second Opening Day begin.