Mac Williamson was a revelation when he first came up with the Giants in 2018, showing the benefits of his improved swing had translated from Triple-A Sacramento, where he was dominant, to the majors, where he continued to hit home runs and field a consistent batting average.
But a concussion sustained after chasing down a foul ball in left field sent Williamson back down to Triple-A on a rehab assignment, and since his return, he hasn’t been the same.
Meanwhile, fellow outfield prospect Austin Slater has been torching the ball in Sacramento and has forced Bruce Bochy’s hand. The club announced Saturday that Willamson has been demoted to Triple-A with Slater called up to take his place.
The move does not signal that Slater will take over the starting left field spot full-time, however. Bochy said pregame Saturday that Austin Jackson, Hunter Pence, and even utility player Alen Hanson will see time in left field along with Slater, according to Kerry Crowley of the Bay Area News Group.