© Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Opening day has come and gone and the Giants offense has the same amount of runs as they did on Wednesday. Unable to score one run for their ace on Thursday, the offense and the current makeup of the roster is the hot topic of discussion heading into the weekend.
In announcing the 25-man roster, the surprise move was electing to DFA power-hitting outfielder Mac Williamson. Throughout spring training, Williamson was expected to be the club’s opening day starter in left field. Following a disappointing cactus league, Giants broadcaster Mike Krukow was not surprised Williamson failed to make the cut.
“I thought it was a lock that he was going to be the opening day left fielder,” Krukow began. “But if you go back to the spring, he hit one ball hard. It wasn’t working, and he’s 29 years old.”
It’s been well-known Giants manager Bruce Bochy has his favorites, Pablo Sandoval being one of them. When you’re one of Bochy’s guys, he gives you plenty of leeway and multiple chances to prove him right, and Williamson could not deliver.
“Bochy told him ‘if you give me three good days,’ he fought for him. Mac was in the room when he was told he was being DFA’d and he said ‘you have to win these jobs, they can’t be given to you.’ He (Bochy) loved him, but it just didn’t happen.”
Last season, Williamson impressed in limited action after being called up mid-year. After revamping his swing in the offseason, Williamson showed immediate power to all sides of the field and really acted as a spark for a struggling Giants offense. Because his season was cut short due to a serious concussion, this spring was crucial for showing he could pick up right where he left off.
The Giants are hoping that he makes it through waivers, which is highly unlikely at this point. Many believed that all Williamson needed was at-bats. Being shipped to and from the major leagues over the past few seasons, Williamson was never able to get enough at-bats to really prove himself and solidify himself as an every-day major league player.
“I hope it happens some other place,” Krukow said. “I wish him the best, he’s a great guy. But it just wasn’t happening here.”
News surrounding Williamson’s future will surface shortly as he will likely be claimed any day now. If the Giants are lucky enough for him to pass through waivers, he should provide some much needed right-handed power if called upon.
Listen to the full interview with Mike Krukow here: