Duane Kuiper joined the Giants Talk podcast to share his spring training observations and which two Giants players surprised him the most with their strong performances on the field.
The restrictions from the COVID-19 pandemic and then a subsequent health issue led to a very strange situation for Giants broadcaster Duane Kuiper. For two years, Kuiper and Mike Krukow called games without really getting to talk to players, and on this week's Giants Talk Podcast, Kuiper recalled how he never actually met Kevin Gausman, the ace of the staff the last two seasons.
That will all change this year and Kuiper got a jumpstart by visiting Scottsdale this week. For the first time, he got a chance to meet about 15 new players who have contributed in the last two seasons, and he also got some time to stand behind the cage and simply take in batting practice, a normal daily occurrence that wasn't possible last year.
A couple of young players stood out to Kuiper, including one who put on a show while he was standing a few feet away watching BP.
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"Thairo Estrada lit things up, absolutely lit things up," Kuiper said. "He was not just hitting line drives, but he was hitting balls that were significantly far over the fence. And if you talk to a different variety of people that are in uniform, they really expect big things from this kid, and he really contributed last year."
The 26-year-old middle infielder looks like the roster's best bet to take the leap this year, and he certainly will get an opportunity. After posting a .813 OPS and hitting seven homers last year, Estrada should slide into Donovan Solano's role as the right-handed second baseman. He also could see time on the left side of the infield, particularly with Evan Longoria out a while.
Another young Giant who could start on Opening Day stood out for the comfort and confidence he was displaying behind the scenes and when he sat with Kuiper. He said Joey Bart was the most relaxed he has ever seen him.
"He looks like a different guy. How that translates to the field, I don't know, but this is a good sign," Kuiper said. "That's a good sign because that's a start to being a relaxed big leaguer as opposed to someone that was uptight and wasn't really sure if he belonged here, and I think he feels now like he does."
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The Giants are counting on Bart to step in and help fill the void left by Buster Posey's retirement. They also need his right-handed power, along with whatever Estrada can provide at the plate. In addition to Posey, Longoria and Solano, they will be without Kris Bryant, another key right-handed bat from the 107-win team.
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Kuiper said he agrees with the perception that the Giants are short against left-handed pitching. But it's too soon to get too worried.
"If you just go look at the people that are missing you have to be a little bit concerned (because) it's really difficult to replace those guys," he said. "I think the one thing that we all have realized is that you have to have faith in Farhan (Zaidi) and then let Gabe (Kapler) and his coaching staff work some magic. And I do have faith in Farhan -- if he decided not to go out and get somebody and he feels what they've got is enough, then I'm good with that."