The San Francisco Giants head into Spring Training with a roster that's virtually prepackaged and ready to go for the 2016 MLB season, with only two spots on the 25-man projected to be up for grabs at the present juncture -- backup catcher and fifth outfielder.
Behind the plate, Andrew Susac is the out-of-the-gate favorite to replace Hector Sanchez (now with the White Sox) behind perennial MVP candidate Buster Posey. However, Susac's September wrist surgery and a sharp dip in both batting average and slugging percentage in 2015 from his rookie season has opened the door for 24-year-old challenger Trevor Brown.
Per Alex Pavlovic of CS Bay Area, Brown "impressed last September with his approach and ability to handle a veteran staff. Brown has played infield in the past, too, and spring training might be a good time to see if he still has that versatility."
If Brown streaks out of the gate in March, we could have a full-blown showdown for one of the final two roster spots. More SF Giants news and rumors inside Chat Sports' iPhone and Android apps!
As for the outfield, there are a glut of both 2015 roster call-ups and Spring invitees who'll be looking to join the fray behind Hunter Pence, Denard Span, Angel Pagan and Gregor Blanco. Jarrett Parker is our pick right now, especially with him riding the momentum of a .347 average and six home runs in just 49 MLB at-bats last season.
Everything is subject to change, obviously, especially if Kelby Tomlinson and Ehire Adrianza struggle this spring and can't separate themselves as prohibitive favorites for the backup infielder slots. However, it's the team's depth behind the plate and in the outfield that'll be under the spotlight -- two open competitions in a spring seemingly bereft of real upheaval.
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