HOUSTON–If there was a natural hiding spot for an elite hitter to remain a well-kept secret, playing first base for the San Francisco Giants is the perfect post to take cover.
Start with the position.
The National League is loaded with name-brand talent at first base. Joey Votto is a five-time All-Star and the face of the franchise in Cincinnati. Paul Goldschmidt has finished in the top-three of NL MVP voting three times in the last five years. Cody Bellinger is the reigning Rookie of the Year and a star in one of baseball’s biggest markets.
Five other NL first basemen —including 2016 World Series champion Anthony Rizzo and the Padres’ $144 million man Eric Hosmer– have also been named to All-Star teams before.