One of the best days of the year is finally upon us, Opening Day for the 2024 Major League Baseball season! I could not be more excited for daily baseball, warmer weather, and our new era San Francisco Giants. I must admit I feel a little lost when looking at our 2024 Giants. We have enjoyed and been a bit spoiled by the core all stars for years now.
It is hard to believe it has been 10 years since the San Francisco Giants last won a World Series. 2014 capped the glorious 5-year reign that was pure magic. I am looking forward to kicking back in the evenings and getting to know our new look Giants. I am hopeful they will bring us excitement, energy and fresh memories this summer. Here is a look at some of the new San Francisco Giants taking the field for those of us who are still getting to know the team…
Blake Snell – Two-time Cy Young award winner. Only the 7th man in history to win the prestigious award in both leagues – American and National. He hails from Washington state, his father is a former professional baseball player. While growing up Snell trained at a facility owned by his father. Naturally he rooted for the Seattle Mariners. Snell made his major league debut at Yankee Stadium of all places and has played for the Tampa Bay Rays as well as San Diego Padres. He was drafted in 2011 in the first round. Snell is set to throw in a simulation game tomorrow in Arizona and if all goes well, he will hopefully be making his Giants debut next week in LA, San Diego or back in San Francisco for the opening home series.
Jordan Hicks – A Texan and one of the hardest throwers in the major leagues. He was clocked throwing 105 mph last Spring and get this…he was drafted 105th overall in 2015 by the St. Louis Cardinals. Hicks has also been with the Blue Jays organization. In the exhibition game this last Monday night in Oakland he dazzled with 5 scoreless / hitless innings and 10 strikeouts. He said he selected the Giants in free agency because they believe he could be a starter. Although the sample size is small, he has proven that to be true thus far.
Matt Chapman – an everyday player who might be the best third baseman in the league. He is a California native who was drafted in the first round in 2014 by the Oakland Athletics. He has four gold gloves, two platinum gold gloves, a Wilson defensive player of the year award and was an all-star in 2019. The Giants signed him to a 3-year $54 million deal.
Jung Hoo Lee – is a 25-year-old, South Korean born in Nagoya, Japan while his father was playing baseball in the NPO baseball league. Lee has played his entire professional baseball career in the KBO league in South Korea. He will make his major league debut today in San Diego against ace Yu Darvish, no less. The Giants signed him to a six-year $116 million deal. Lee is fast, smart, skillful and down to earth. His father, Lee Jong is considered one of the best five tool baseball players in Korean baseball history and gained the nickname “Son of the Wind” while playing, so naturally Jung Hoo is often referred to as “Grandson of the Wind.” (***what are the 5 tools of baseball you ask…speed, arm strength, hitting for average, hitting for power and fielding abilities)
Jorge Soler – a Cuban born outfielder and power hitter. The Giants are the fifth baseball club he has joined since being drafted in 2014. Soler won a world series in 2016 with the Chicago Cubs and 2021 with the Atlanta Braves, so he brings that Champion experience. The Giants signed him to a 3-year $42 million contract.
Bob Melvin – our new veteran manager who has already made national news this spring by requiring everyone to stand during the national anthem. This seems like quite a contrast from the Giants last skipper. I enjoy the old school, tradition, and patriotism of baseball, so I like this move. Hopefully the guys on the team do too. Melvin’s track record is great, however he has yet to win a World Series. Hopefully he can crown his career with that accomplishment in his hometown.
Other Changes
The players are not the only thing that is changing this season, long-time public-address announcer, Renel Brooks-Moon and the Giants have mutually and amicably parted ways. The Giants plan to try out various voices this season. I like the fact that they are not committing to one out of the gate. It is such an important role!
As for Oracle Park itself, they have improved the stereo system, installed LED lights and are the first team in MLB to get spotlights – taking a cue from the NBA. Not sure how exactly they plan to use those but sounds like it could add more fun flare to orange Fridays. Now we just need one of our closers to become a star with a legit walkout song. That is my fav!
The Giants finished 17th in attendance last season, which is an absolute disgrace considering it is one of the best if not the best stadiums in the league. Hopefully this new era of Giants baseball coupled with the stadium upgrades will lure people back to The City. I am looking forward to attending a game next month with our little league crew.
If Melvin can successfully wrangle this diverse crew and they can come together with their many talents I think we will be in for a real treat this 2024 season. Of course, getting out of the NL West safely will not be easy, but as Giants fans I think we should be encouraged and hopeful. With that said…Play Ball!
The Leadoff 
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