Projecting the SF Giants roster after J.D. Davis’ release

Mar 12, 2024, 9:46 AM

PEORIA, ARIZONA - MARCH 10: The hat, sunglasses, and glove belonging to Casey Schmitt #10 of the Sa...

(Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)

Editor & Kings Beat Writer

Once the San Francisco Giants announced the signing of third baseman Matt Chapman, the writing was on the wall for J.D. Davis.

The Elk Grove native was released by the Giants on Monday as San Francisco will move forward without the corner infielder and outfielder heading into the 2024 season.

With Chapman, a right-handed hitter and Platinum Glove fielder now in the fold, and utility-man Wilmer Flores currently slated to platoon at first base with LaMonte Wade Jr., Davis was left without a clear role on a Giants team that is looking to compete in a loaded National League West.

Now that Davis has been released, a spot has opened on San Francisco’s bench as multiple players continue to make their case for an Opening Day slot on the 26-man roster.

Luis Matos ropes a RBI double. pic.twitter.com/KFFSDoTlKi

— Electro (@ImNotHuman123) March 12, 2024

Projected 2024 San Francisco Giants Opening Day Roster

Projections per FanGraphs’ Roster Resource

Starting Lineup

CF – Jung Hoo Lee (L)

2B – Thairo Estrada (R)

1B – LaMonte Wade Jr. (L)

DH – Jorge Soler (R)

LF – Michael Conforto (L)

3B – Matt Chapman (R)

RF – Mike Yastrzemski (L)

C – Patrick Bailey (S)

SS – Nick Ahmed (R)*

*non-roster invitee

Ahmed, a two-time Gold Glove Award winner, is in FanGraphs’ recent projection instead of rookie shortstop Marco Luciano, who struggled to a .050 batting average over 25 plate appearances in Spring Training.

While Luciano continues to search for his rhythm at the plate, Ahmed has hit two home runs and driven in five runs while batting .556 over 14 plate appearances.

The Giants may head into the season with Ahmed manning short while Luciano continues to hone his skills at Triple-A Sacramento, but things could change over the final two weeks of exhibition action.

Bench

C – Tom Murphy (R)

INF – Wilmer Flores (R)

OF – Austin Slater (R)

OF – Luis Matos

Matos gets the edge for the final bench spot in FanGraphs’ latest projection.

Over 11 games (30 plate appearances), the 22-year-old outfielder holds a .250 average to go along with three home runs, six RBI, and an impressive .979 on-base-plus-slugging percentage.

Starting Rotation

Logan Webb – (R)

Kyle Harrison – (L)

Jordan Hicks (R)

Keaton Winn (R)

Mason Black – (R)*

Bullpen

Daulton Jeffries (R)*

Spencer Howard (R)*

Erik Miller – (L)

Ethan Small – (L)

Ryan Walker – (R)