LaMonte Wade Jr. has been the Giants’ primary first baseman in each of the past two seasons, leading the team in innings at the position. Wade’s 1631 innings at first base since 2023 more than double the 801 innings from Wilmer Flores, who’s been at first most days when Wade is out of the lineup or on the injured list. Together, Wade and Flores have accounted for nearly 85% of the team’s innings at first base.
The Giants could change that arrangement a bit this year. While Wade will still surely see plenty of time at first base, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports that Wade focused heavily on running and conditioning this offseason, because the Giants could use him in the outfield more frequently than in recent years. Wade isn’t the only Giant potentially moving from the infield dirt to the outfield grass. Justice de los Santos of the San Jose Mercury News writes that former top shortstop prospect Marco Luciano is headed to camp strictly as a corner outfielder.
When the Giants originally acquired Wade from the Twins, Brandon Belt was entrenched at first base in San Francisco. That led to considerable outfield time for Wade, who played 824 innings on the grass in 2021-22. Since Belt’s departure, he’s played just 154 innings in the outfield.
Moving Wade to the outfield more frequently could create some extra rest for Jung Hoo Lee as he returns from shoulder surgery or perhaps give young Heliot Ramos a day off against tough right-handed pitchers; Ramos hit .370/.439/.750 against lefties last year but just .240/.286/.387 versus fellow right-handers. Wade batted .253/.374/.377 against righties and is a career .251/.359/.431 hitter in those situations.
However, the larger motivation for getting Wade some renewed comfort in the outfield is surely the looming presence of top prospect Bryce Eldridge. The 2023 No. 16 overall draft pick is on a fast track through the Giants’ minor league system and may not be far from MLB readiness — despite only having turned 20 back in October. The towering 6’7″ Eldridge blitzed through four minor league levels in 2024, spending the bulk of his time in High-A, where he posted a comical .335/.442/.618 batting line in 215 plate appearances. Overall, he tallied 519 turns at the plate across his four minor league stops and batted .289/.372/.513 with 23 home runs, an 11.4% walk rate and a 25.3% strikeout rate.
Despite being limited to first base, Eldridge ranks 12th among all prospects on Baseball America’s top-100 ranking for the upcoming season. With just 17 games above A-ball under his belt, Eldridge doesn’t seem likely to make the jump right to the majors, though he’s a non-roster invitee in major league camp, so it’s at least possible he could mash his way into consideration.
With regard to Luciano’s move, the impetus is even more straightforward. The Giants signed Willy Adames to a club-record contract this offseason, guaranteeing him $182MM over seven years. With Matt Chapman also signed long term at third base and Tyler Fitzgerald lined up to handle second base after his 2024 breakout, there’s no real room in the infield for Luciano.
Of course, he’ll need to prove with his performance that he’s deserving of a big league spot at any position. The 23-year-old has batted just .217/.286/.304 in 126 major league plate appearances to this point in his career. He hit .250/.380/.380 in his second run at Triple-A last year but did so with an ugly 26.8% strikeout rate. That’s an improvement from the prior season’s 31.3% mark, but it’s still concerning to see so many punchouts in the upper minors.
Luciano candidly told de los Santos and other reporters that he felt “totally lost” at the plate in 2024. He’s spent the offseason working to identify and correct bad habits in his swing. Luciano conceded that he’s “a little bit uncomfortable” with the move to the outfield but took a team-first approach in embracing the position switch. He’s entering his final option year, so while this isn’t necessarily a make-or-break spring for him, he’ll need to show both strides at the plate and prove himself capable of handling the outfield in some capacity if he’s to carve out a long-term spot with the club.
How about Luis Matos?
The disrespect from buster on both of these guys is ridiculous. Wade has played I think you move him if you can but you can’t move matos/ Marcos value at all in stance and treatment.
I stand by it shut up and run the organization or put the mask back on and block Bryce in your days off buster. Some of his takes so far are off his rocker more than me and I’m 3 pegs off John
theres zero control in that front office. Not before not in transition and certainly not now. And these 4 teams think they can compete with La. None of them could with then central
Wade has the best outfield arm on the team IMO. He throws lasers. Can he stay healthy out there. Who knows. Aldridge is gonna be great. But you don’t expose them early if he needs work. What’s the hurry?
I like wades versitily. The rest needs to catch up. 1b wasn’t ideal but he made it worth enough to validate it. He’s not ft there but he’s a great luxury for the roster. I just really think you have to play guys like Luciano and Matos to get the value you demand back on them if those plans aren’t or are being stalled at the mlb level on in weak excuses for extend looks
Matos has some rope but if he flops again — he will have a major issue coming might move in July
And unmentioned in the post is that Luciano has been so inept in the infield that his only shot is in the OF, or barring a massive implosion by other qualified first basemen, they might try him there but he’s so bad on grounders that seems unlikely.
Nevertheless, his bat is still tantalizing and after he gets some outfield seasoning in AAA, he might be up this year.
I think they should teach Luciano first base. Give him some versatility to earn some ABs. Give him confidence somewhere.
It’s so odd how Matos is rarely mentioned. He fixed some minor issues and completely dominated winter ball. I see him having a huge breakout year, if given the chance.
Really needs a full look vs staring at Yastrzemski everyday
Signing a real player like Goldschmidt….ahahahahahaha!
🙂
Goldy could have been nice but these guys are link drink in Bryce today. I’m not yet to me he screams Aj reed for me. Ball parks not helping his ceiling either.
@HEHE, I cannot understand one *^%€#^ thing you’ve written on any one of your posts. If you’re actually trying to make a point, bummer for you, cuz not one of us on this thread has ANY idea what you’re talking about.
You can mute me then feel free I won’t be offended in the least
@NYCityRiddler, Given who was available this offseason and the cap space the Giants have which is a lot who would you have signed. Not saying you’re wrong, I’m just curious to hear what another take is, as I semi agree they need to do something, just not sure what that something would be.
Nobody wants to play in San Francisco. Don’t know what’s worse the ballpark on hitters or the taxes. Even stinky Soler knew better and left town.
I’d rather see Luciano struggle in the OF then see Yaz start another game out there.
Don’t worry Yaz may have a July surprise
Love Yaz, love Wade, but all Giants fans know both will more than like be on the IL by June. Or traded by July. Yaz has an inherent problem with how he runs, which causes consistent breakdowns.
There’s nothing wrong with how Yaz runs—he’s actually a very good base runner. And an excellent defender. The problem is his average and his strikeouts.
Last year the Giants actually discussed how he had a glitch in his running style that was contributing to his nagging back issues, and that trainers were working on tweaking how he runs.
I don’t get the hate for Yaz. IMO he’s underrated because he plays in a ballpark that’s the most punitive to LHHs in MLB. I know a bWAR that varied between 2.0 and 2.7 isn’t what one would call impressive, but he a solid ballplayer. He provides plus value with the glove, his arm, and on the basepaths. If he had better bat-to-ball skills, he’d be an all-star.
As I said, I love Yaz..when he actually plays. But if he can’t stay off the IL what good is he?
TellItGoodbye. I think that take, that he’s always injured, is overstated. In his 6 seasons in SF he’s averaged about 116 games per season, but that’s skewed negatively since it includes the short 2020 season. In the last 4 seasons he’s averaged over 133 games per season. That hardly constitutes him not being available most of the time.
Bottom line: Lifetime .239 with an OBP of .322. We can do better.
TellItGoodbye, You’re using BA as your first frame of reference? That says a lot. And do you really think a .322 OBP is bad? Last season the league average for OBP was .312.
The bottom line that’s more germane is a career 114 OPS+, making him about 14% better than league average. I have no problem replacing him with someone better, but unless you can name one, he’s better than most alternatives.
I didn’t say .322 OBP is bad, I said we can do better. I’m guessing Matos or Luciano will be better, given the chance.
And yes, I love BA because I’d rather see someone get a hit than a walk. I didn’t come to the ballpark to watch someone get walks. Hit the damn ball!
That’s twice you’ve said they could do better. How about some specifics on exactly who that is that’s better.
No one would love it more than me if Matos, and/or Luciano broke out and became the better alternative. But so far they haven’t. Yaz has a career 114 OPS+, Matos is at 78, and Luciano is at 81. Clearly not better.
Playing either one over Yaz now is just wishing and hoping. Until at least one of the two actually put up better numbers than Yaz, playing either one over him is not doing better.
I didn’t say there’s nothing wrong with BA, it’s just that it can be a misleading stat, and there are better yardsticks.
As you know, locally Yaz is one of the team’s most popular players. I think people just think in such a stacked division, time to move the good but not exceptional guy to give more at bats to Encarnacion, Matos and Luciano. I did not expect the Giants to bring Yaz back, but since they did, I expect him to play until someone else forces the issue, he is injured, or he is traded after SF falls out of WC contention, if that even occurs by the trade deadline.
MLB Top 100 Commenter, Yeah, I agree. They brought him back because there was no clear upgrade, but I’m sure the Giants wouldn’t hesitate if one was available. Until the 3 you mention actually demonstrate that they are an upgrade over Yaz, and so far they haven’t, then Yaz is in RF. at least as the strong size of a platoon would be the way to go.
I do think they’ll move on, and non-tender him next season, which could be good for him to play in a park better suited to LHHs. And while I like Yaz, I’d love to see someone perform well enough to take RF away from him.
Yaz does not move the needle to improve the team. He is what I call
an on the fence player. I would say he is an above average bench player and SF should of gotten an every day starter for RF.
TC55
Who would you have signed? Let’s assume that Soto was beyond the budget and hat the Giants could have paid what other teams ultimately paid (which is a fictitious assumption). Teoscar? Santander? Those are the only two FA OFs who were clearly better. Maybe Profar based on 2024. Tucker and Belli were better trade acquisition pickups. Tucker required a lot in return. Yaz at Oracle is superior to Conforto IMHO.
SFG hoping Luciano really excels in AAA this season, and Matos, Mc Cray show progression too. If not I’ll bet they go hard after Tucker.
With four gigantic outfields in the NL West, this seems like an absolutely terrible idea
Not if you’re trying to boost his trade value. Lamont is actually a pretty solid outfielder. He’s just not in the future plans for SFG.
Wade has a sprint speed of 7 on baseball savant. He would not gain any value. Arm strength is a 6. Pretty sure he would be further exposed.
Read all the stats you want. I’ve seen him play the position well with my eyes.
Bonds didn’t have a great arm either but took good routes to the ball and got rid of it quickly and accurately. Lamont has some of the same skills.
In all seriousness, that is extremely disrespectful to Barry Bonds.
Oldgfan
How long are ago are you talking about?
Depends on what you’re referring to.
Lamont in the outfield ?
3 years ago.
Watch and see, he can still do it.
I agree. He was absolutely fine in the outfield. Definitely better than Conforto was out there. I’m pretty happy about the work Wade put in on his legs over the offseason. Would be great to see him healthy for most of the season.
Yes, I meant when was the last time you saw him play outfield. For most of us, it’s been at least three years.
More time in the Outfield or more tine on the IL?
I am going to guess that Luciano spends a few months in Sacramento playing the outfield. I don’t really see a fit for him in SF unless there are some injuries in spring training.
Wade playing in the outfield is interesting. I had wondered why the Giants seemed to avoid playing him there the past couple of seasons (maybe to keep him healthy). They are trying to make room for Eldridge but I do wonder if Wade is even around past 2025.
The fits 2b but nobody wants to go there today. Hides a ton of his problems. Caps his earnings and making him a respectable ball player today vs abandoned by new organizational philosophy.
Luciano is only a MLB regular as a bat-first guy. Until he can improve his hit tool and power tool, his bat is not there yet. Hopefully he can multi-task and learn a new position at the same time. I think only injuries stop Encarnacion from being on the Opening Day roster and Matos also makes it with a solid ST. Although Matos might do better getting everyday at-bats.
His problem isn’t being rushed like most want to throw as the reason. It’s he’s been rushed hurt every time he’s been asked to step it up in a bad giants offense. Give the guy some breaks vs treating him the Kwane Brown here. The giants don’t owe him that but buster does. Absolutely.
The guy just needs a really healthy turn around to get his confidence back because what busters doing is no better than the statements against Montgomery.
He’s gotta play him to trade him like it or not. You can’t spit in a players face publicly and expect him to prove you wrong. Been there done that you are over all of it.
For me I love the play to 2b. Powers real and you can mask him today on your roster there over congestion in the of or block in 1b w Bryce.
The encarnscion move is super underrated his numbers before coming back are legit I think he’s gonna play off In mlb on that.
Huge fan of matos myself doesn’t get enough of a look to really decide if he’s worth an mlb look long term. Very frustrating how he’s been handled. Reminds me of Colorado w tapia recently, but that was all bud black.
Rooting for Luciano but it’s not in sf not anymore. Like the prospects swapping around him and Jordan walker did very similar reasons personally.
I believe the reason he played a lot less outfield recently was two things. Trying to keep his legs healthy as possible and they needed him at first base more. He’s actually become a fairly good defender at first base.
Hey how did the Giants get Lamonte Wade Jr anyway? Its like he just fell into their lap.
Traded Shawn Anderson to the Twins for him.
And that’s ANOTHER trade for which the Giants OWE the Twins Compensation in the form of a “GIMME”.
Add to that the already existing “GIMME” SF owes the Twins for the latter’s acquisition of Sam Dyson.
AND,
Let’s not forget the trickle down trade sequence started by SF in which the Twins were ultimately STUCK with the injured (questionable that SF knew the severity of his injury at the time that they traded him) Anthony DeSciafani, who after being acquired by Seattle from SF, quickly found an even bigger SUCKER in the Twins. Yet another “GIMME” owed to the Twins by SF..
They should have went hard after the Rodgers twins. Made too much sense.
We let you have Correia. Favors repaid. Lol
It’s okay. Historically, it’s not even close to even as far as the value the Twins got in the trade of Nathan, Liriano, Bonser (Escobar, Duran, etc) for 1 really bad season of Pierzynski. The scales are not even close to balanced yet, even 20+ years later.
I hope the Giants are a better team this season. The rivalry with LA hasn’t meant much lately. LA’s rivalry with SD is more intense right now.
It was awesome in ‘21. That last month was intense. Win for win, loss for loss. Probably one of the most exciting months of my baseball supporting career.
If you want that sort of rivalry again, mlb might have to reign you back in. You have gone ahead in leaps and bounds. Just way too good for now and the foreseeable future.
Agree. West Division is a 3 team race for 2nd. And hopefully a wild card.
this is just a very good team especially when you compare to Giants and Dodgers and Snakes.
I’d like to see them give Jerar Encarnacion chance
Yeah. Me too. I think his giants mlb numbers were a bit on the unlucky side last year. Someone with knowledge on expected v actual outcomes told me that.
I think the post is wrong in suggesting Encarnacion is a questionable hitter. He’s been excellent wherever he’s played. I think he can be one of the most surprising players in baseball this season because he’s always had great hard hit numbers and moves very well for a big man.
It was the Locked on Giants podcast guy that sold me. He loves a metric. Just banged on about the underlying numbers again today.
I agree PV. I was happy at Melvin saying he’s actually in the DH plans. He can be a big asset for sure with more playing time.
Me as well. Full-time DH would maximize his power.
He’ll be on the Opening Day roster, but he is a 5th outfielder and part-time DH with a lot of thump in his bat.
Yaz on the trade block?
Pretty sure they would move him if offered more than a bag of game balls. Plenty of OF prospects near ready in the system and Yaz in his walk year on the wrong side of 30.
But I think those teams who don’t see him play day in and day out realize what a solid all around player he is. But if his average and strikeouts don’t improve I don’t think he’ll have a spot on next year’s roster.
JRam. I think Yaz will be traded at the deadline. If the Giants are still in it I think he’ll be traded for someone to fill an injury need for down the stretch. If they are out of it at the deadline he’ll probably bring back a prospect. Only reason he stays is if the Giants are in it and Yaz is having a good year. Two big ifs.
Matos had a big season in the Venezuelan winter league. He should be given a shot. I think
I’m betting he ends up on the roster in a platoon role with Yaz.
I loved his swing from the start. I think he can be a pretty good power bat at some point. A platoon with Yaz would get him some valuable playing time. And Luciano stays in Sacramento and needs to bash his way back to the Giants.
I don’t see Luciano breaking camp with the Giants. He hasn’t proved enough even in the upper minors yet. He has an option year left. Let him make his case in AAA. Give all available MLB ABs to Encarnacion, who may or may not be a legitimate slugger and is out of options. Let’s find out what he’s got.
Totally agree.
They must think Eldridge is close if they are talking about moving LaMonte off of first.
Really don’t get all the hatred for Yaz. He’s not a star but he’s a solid player and a good clubhouse guy that would be an asset on most clubs. Really hope the best for Matos and Luciano but neither have shown at this point neither has shown that they can replace Yaz’s production on a consistent basis and until they do he’s still the best option. This is likely his last year with the team but sad to see him get the Bengie treatment on the way out.
Luciano to the OF is news? The 2nd biggest mistake of Farhan’s tenure was not moving him off SS years ago when it was clear he’d need to come off SS and it was ALWAYS the bat the could be special. The 1st being not retaining Gausman.
Good to see Wade had a healthy off-season and that his prior leg injuries seem to be behind him. Healthy legs are good for the OF and for power. Positional versatility on the roster where ever it is helps.
Yes this roster can still be upgraded but if you look it’s in LF, DH, 1B and the bullpen, the more easier positions to acquire in trade, now or at the deadline. In the interim, lots of young players including Luciano, Matos, McCray, Eldridge and Meckler and they’re likely to also look long at Encarnacion as one of the few out of option players. It’s not clear how ready Wilmer is or what plan there is to ramp him up, ditto Murphy.
I agree with the Gausman mistake. I know I’m not the only one who was ticked off about it.
They could still sign a guy like JD Martinez for almost nothing at this point. Maybe some incentive laden deal. His numbers that have fallen are still better than any option the Giants have. This would at least take care of that position. The mix and match approach they are going to take isn’t going to work.
JDM spurned the Giants when they tried to get him last year; he didn’t want to go to Oracle and have his bat die.
His bat died anyway. We could still get Justin Turner.
Martinez-10 years =Encarnacion.
Pretty sure given the chance he can produce the same production, at league minimum.
Spending on Martinez would be foolish and block development of decades younger players.
They should bring in Lamonte’s friend Grady Sizemore
Nice work. I got it.
This article doesn’t mention it, but the primary reason Luciano is being moved out of the INF is because he is not MLB caliber. He made multiple errors on routine plays that led to losses, including the 9th inning of a save situation. His defense literally costs us wins.
Yawn!!!!