2024 Depth Charts: 3b and Wrapping Up

Charts have been Charted

Photo Credit: Richmond Flying Squirrels

So far in this year’s Depth Charts series, we’ve covered:

• 2b

• RHP - Starters

• Corner Outfielders

• Catchers

• Center Fielders

• LHP - Starters

• RHP - Relievers

• Shortstops

• 1b

• LHP - Relievers

We arrive at the end of our Depth Charts journey for the year, landing at 3b (ironically, the location where so many Giants’ baserunners ended their journey last year as well, perhaps I should finish with catchers next year, just for the metaphorical value). As I noted on Wednesday, this feels like the Groundhog Day of Depth Charts, and has me questioning whether I should change up the format next year and collapse the infield options down the same way I do in the outfield, because nearly everybody in today’s chart is someone we’ve discussed elsewhere in this series. There are a couple of exceptions to that, but by and large, the characters at the 3b position have played their roles in the 1b, 2b, and SS charts as well — though we’ll need to say a fond farewell to one of those players today.

So, to wrap up our series for the season, today I’m going to take an abbreviated look at the position, including a couple of names we haven’t encountered so far, and then try to wrap the entire series up with a bow with some high-level observations about what it all means, where the strengths and weaknesses of the system appear to be, and what to look for in the coming year.

In some ways, 3b feels like the ideal spot to land on for summation, because it’s one of several positions that sit in flux due to the mixed results that the team received from prospects and internal options last year. In flux enough, indeed, that the rumors connecting the Giants in negotiations with free agent Matt Chapman certainly carry the ring of truth (though whether they’ll find common financial ground with Chapman and agent Scott Boras remains to be seen). A year ago, this position felt like it was well stocked with exciting options for the foreseeable future. Today? As the ol’ Magic Eight-Ball would say, “Reply hazy; try again.” And we’re left to wonder what the future has in store for us at the Hot Corner.