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Giants’ youngest player can fill variety of roles, provide value for 2019

DENVER–Brandon Crawford is resting Wednesday as he deals with lingering soreness in his left knee, allowing utility player Alen Hanson an opportunity to start at shortstop.

Bruce Bochy chose to play the switch-hitting Hanson against Rockies starter Antonio Senzatela, but if the Giants were slated to face a lefty, rookie Abital Avelino may have taken Crawford’s place and made his major league debut.

Avelino was one of two prospects the Giants acquired Friday in the trade that sent right fielder Andrew McCutchen to the Yankees. He joins the club eight years after he tried out in front of Giants scouts in his native Dominican Republic and eight months after finishing up his winter league season with the Gigantes del Cibao.