Giants' No. 10 prospect McCray makes case for 2025 with 2-homer game

SAN DIEGO -- Rookie outfielder Grant McCray was McWow for the Giants as he hit two home runs with five RBIs as San Francisco conquered the Padres and their ace Dylan Cease, 6-3, on Saturday night to even the three-game series.

The speedy McCray, who also had two hits on Friday out of the No. 9 hole, is San Francisco’s No. 10-ranked prospect, per Pipeline, and he proved his status with an eye-opening performance against San Diego.

“I’m doing more than I could expect, honestly,’’ McCray said. “I didn’t expect to come up and just put up amazing numbers. I’m just trying to hold my own and go for a spot next season.’’

That was the Giants’ timetable for McCray after he started the season in Double-A. But his arrival in the Majors was accelerated and now he can’t keep his foot off the gas.

“To hit the ground running as hard as he has, to have a bad game and come back and to keep his wits about him,” said Giants manager Bob Melvin. “For a young guy -- we never envisioned him being here this season, maybe next year.

“But it has been so impressive. You see the arm strength in the outfield, the ground that he covers. He gives us athleticism out there.’’

Cease wasn’t as sharp as usual, and the Giants made him pay, especially in their three-run second inning. Patrick Bailey and Brett Wisely reached on singles to set the stage for McCray’s two-out, three-run homer.

His fourth big fly since making his Major League debut on Aug. 14 was a Statcast-projected 417-foot blast that exited the bat at 106.6 mph and landed deep into the right-field seats.

"He's had some really good at-bats against us,’’ Cease said. “Obviously he's hit a couple home runs, took Mike [King] the other way a couple times [Friday]. He's looked good so far."

The Giants tacked on another run in the fourth, courtesy of McCray, when he hit into a double play.

McCray’s second blast, off southpaw reliever Yuki Matsui, flipped a one-run game and gave the Giants breathing room against the Padres’ potent lineup. It came in the ninth inning, and like the left-handed hitter’s first one, it was a two-out smash that pushed the Giants ahead 6-3.

“He has a history of hitting lefties in the Minor Leagues,’’ Melvin said. “It’s about putting the bat on the ball and finding a good pitch to hit. Obviously, he has a ton of power and it’s just as impressive when he goes the other way.’’

San Francisco had its own top-shelf starter in Logan Webb and the All-Star right-hander didn’t disappoint. Webb (12-9) allowed three runs, 10 hits and two walks, with three strikeouts, over six innings.

“A very workmanlike performance,’’ Melvin said.

McCray isn’t done punching the clock as he builds his case for a 2025 roster spot. The key is staying loose and enjoying the ride.

“Trying to stay out of my head, just play and have fun,’’ McCray said. “I’m a young player and it’s easy for it to get in your head and get you down. So I’m just trying to keep it even-keeled, play the game hard, have fun and go out with a smile every day.”

Melvin is grinning, too. He’s taken notice of McCray while knowing San Francisco has Jung Hoo Lee slated to play center field next season after signing a six-year, $113 million contract last offseason.

Lee’s season ended in mid-May when he dislocated his shoulder when attempting to make a catch. His absence opened the door for the likes of McCray and it will force the organization to make some tough, but welcome, decisions next spring in Scottsdale.

McCray is only the seventh Giant to have a multi-homer game before their 20th career game since the team moved to San Francisco in 1958. He’s hit five homers in his first 19 games.

“You can’t help to look at it differently,’’ Melvin said. “You can’t help but to think about Jung coming back next year, what it will look like in our outfield.

“At this point [McCray] is really comfortable in center field, but it’s a good decision to have once we come around to Spring Training. Because we like Jung out there, too.’’

Everyone rocking an SF logo is also liking McCray.

“I’ve shown them that I can play,’’ he said. “That I can go out there and play with the big boys. Hopefully that puts in a good word and the guys up top let me stay next year.’’