Fansided

San Francisco Giants: 3 best DH options for shortened season

By Steve Zavala

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - APRIL 10: Hunter Pence #8 of the San Francisco Giants looks on from the dugout prior to the start of a Major League Baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at AT&T Park on April 10, 2018 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - APRIL 10: Hunter Pence #8 of the San Francisco Giants looks on from the dugout prior to the start of a Major League Baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at AT&T Park on April 10, 2018 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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SAN FRANCISCO, CA – AUGUST 05: Pablo Sandoval #48 of the San Francisco Giants goes down to catch a line drive off the bat of Brian Dozier #9 of the Washington Nationals in the top of the fourth inning at Oracle Park on August 5, 2019 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – AUGUST 05: Pablo Sandoval #48 of the San Francisco Giants goes down to catch a line drive off the bat of Brian Dozier #9 of the Washington Nationals in the top of the fourth inning at Oracle Park on August 5, 2019 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

DH. Pablo Sandoval. 3. player. 40. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. 3B

The designated hitter role might provide Pablo Sandoval with a golden opportunity to become more than just a bench option.

The former World Series MVP winner is coming off of a 2019 campaign where he missed the last portion of the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery. He is on track to be fully healthy for the start of the season next month, which could end up being his final season with the team.

Manager Kapler is expecting Sandoval to be ready for stints at third base but should see more playing time as the DH. He was the starting DH in four road interleague games last season, which led the team. Still, Sandoval should still platoon third base alongside Evan Longoria.

The Giants do not need the Panda from the last decade, but rather a potent power bat in the bottom half of the lineup. As noted by his 14 home runs and .820 OPS in 272 at-bats last season, the slugger can still provide a lively presence at the plate. This is all that the Giants are looking for him at this point in his career, especially with the desperate need for any kind of an offensive resurgence from their veterans.

The days of Sandoval being a revered power hitter in the middle of the Giants’ lineup are long gone. But at the age of 33, he is still more than capable of becoming a serviceable slugger for the team.

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