For the first times since 2011, the Giants will have somebody besides Brandon Crawford at shortstop on Opening Day.
San Francisco Giants shortstop Marco Luciano runs back to the dugout after the final out during the second inning of a spring training baseball game against the San Diego Padres Saturday, March 2, 2024, in Scottsdale, Ariz. SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — This spring was supposed to be the coronation of Marco Luciano. Instead, it has turned into the introduction of Nick Ahmed.
Later that night, in a 7-6 win over the Brewers, Luciano laced a pair of hits to the opposite field, including a line drive to right field for his first home run. After starting Cactus League play with one hit and 12 strikeouts in his first 25 plate appearances, he has five hits in his past 12 at-bats, improving his spring batting line to .231/.333/.308., Ahmed has made the more compelling case. His defense still looks to be Gold Glove-caliber or close to it.
“It’s gonna be fun to play alongside him all season,” Ahmed said, confidently. “It’s no secret that our team gets a lot of ground balls. We’re ready to go out there and pick it for them and let them just throw their sinkers and changeups and splitters and be there to back them up.” The last time Ahmed won a Gold Glove, Luciano had yet to play an inning of the sport in the U.S. He is still only 22 years old but has been on fans’ radars since signing for a $2.6 million bonus in 2018, the same international class that included Luis Matos. Kyle Haines, the Giants’ farm director, bemoaned the spotlight put on teenagers who need time to develop.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Giants' Blake Snell won't be ready for Opening Day, anticipates return soon afterBlake Snell won't be ready for the start of the 2024 MLB season but he doesn't expect to be sidelined too long after signing with the Giants on Monday.
Read more »
Patrick Bailey, Jung Hoo Lee return to SF Giants lineup, on track for Opening DayJung Hoo Lee reached base three times in his first game back from a weeklong absence.
Read more »
Election Day, STEM Day, Amplify Austin Day, and More Days to Remember This WeekOur guide to community events for the week
Read more »
Blake Snell hopes to pitch in Giants' opening series vs. PadresBlake Snell said he hopes he will be ready to start during the Giants' first series at his old team, the Padres.
Read more »
Blake Snell hopes to pitch for Giants in opening series vs. PadresBlake Snell joined the San Francisco Giants just nine days before their opener and the two-time Cy Young Award winner hopes he will be ready to start during the first series at his old team, the San Diego Padres.
Read more »
Opening Day subway service, station names and ads on trainsamNewYork Metro, in conjunction with the MTA, present “Ask the MTA,” a column where MTA officials answer your questions about transit service in New York
Read more »