The Future Arrives in 2023

Jul 27, 2023 | 2023 Season, Latest Post

by
Greek Giant

“I’m a competitor who likes to have fun.”

–Marco Luciano

Each of these things happened in last night’s 8-3 Giants win over the Athletics at Willie Mays Field:

  • Casey Schmitt hit an RBI double
  • Luis Matos hit a double
  • Marco Luciano made nice plays at shortstop (in his MLB debut)
  • Patrick Bailey hit an RBI double

Neither of those players was on the big squad last year, ladies and gents. Of course, there were other heroics like a homer by Austin Slater that put the Giants ahead. Yaz had a double, two hits and an RBI, and J. D. Davis opened the scoring in the bottom of the first inning with a two-run home run down the right field line in a display of pure opposite field strength.

Ryan Walker started this bullpen game and pitched 2 2/3 innings without allowing a run. Alex Wood pitched three shutout innings, got the win and looked good doing it. Alexander, Taylor Rogers, Junis and Jackson were the other hurlers who limited the A’s to three runs, two earned. It was a good night for the Giants and there was a special buzz in the air thanks to Luciano’s debut. In his first at bat as a Major Leaguer he hit a deep fly to right that was caught at the wall and looked like it might have a chance. It did not make it but Lucian displayed his athleticism all the same, while playing a clean shortstop. He showed range, quickness and different arm angles to make plays. It was fun to watch.

Think now, for a minute: Here is the Giants line up yesterday: Luciano at short, Bailey catching, Matos in center, and Schmitt at second. I like it. I am liking this youth movement and I am happy the Giants are not sending down Casey Schmitt. Let him play every day and work on his hitting mechanics and pitch recognition. The kid has talent and I think he will be a very good, maybe great Giant.

Now, if only we could call up Kyle Harrison and maybe Keaton Winn.

Don’t blink now, Giants fans, but the future is now. That youth movement we were all day dreaming about in 2019, 2020 and 2021 is happening in 2023, pretty much right when Zaidi and many Giants higher-ups said it would.

Now that the losing streak is over and the Giants are winning with all this youth, it feels fun to watch the Giants again. They may not win the World Series this year. Or, maybe they will? But one thing is for sure, the young players are giving us all a sense of optimism. It’s always good to cheer for the Giants and it is much more fun when they are home grown players.

Here are some highlights:

2023 First Round Pick Bryce Eldridge Takes BP

ESPN reports: “Giants first-round pick Bryce Eldridge, an outfielder and right-handed pitcher who signed for $3,997,500 on Tuesday, made quite an impression taking batting practice with the big leaguers. The lanky 6-foot-4 introduced himself to home run king Barry Bonds and received some encouraging hitting words from Brandon Crawford.

At 18, he will report to San Francisco’s complex in Scottsdale, Arizona, on Thursday to play his first game there.

“It’s crazy, I’m 18 years old and all these guys have been super shocked to see my size,” he said.

That’s cool.