With second homer, Fitzgerald continues fight for roster spot

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Tyler Fitzgerald is aware that he is in the running for a spot on the Giants' Opening Day roster. That information has not done much to change how he’s attacked Spring Training, wanting to focus on his own goals and continue improving.

“Just getting my timing back and putting some better at-bats together,” he said. “So that’s the main goal, is trying to just be ready for the start of the season.”

Fitzgerald -- ranked by MLB Pipeline as the Giants' No. 21 prospect -- has spent a lot of time at second base (42 innings) this spring while also playing at shortstop (27 innings), center field (19 innings) and left field (three innings). He brings elite speed off the bench, a quality Giants manager Bob Melvin is considering when finalizing the roster.

“He’s about as versatile a guy we have,” Melvin said prior to the Giants' 13-12 split squad win against the Cubs at Scottsdale Stadium on Friday. “We’re trying to make him as versatile as he can [be], so he’s playing a lot. He’s getting a lot of at-bats. He’s still a really good option to potentially be with us.”

Fitzgerald, who has primarily played infield during the Minors, started nine games in center field upon being called up to the big leagues last season. With Jung Hoo Lee being the starting center fielder, Fitzgerald has shifted his focus to the infield.

The shift has not been much of an issue. Fitzgerald said that, statistically, second base is probably his best position. In 2022, Fitzgerald only had three errors in 106 total chances with Double-A Richmond, where he was named team MVP. In '23, Fitzgerald had no errors in 57 total chances at second base with Triple-A Sacramento. He also feels most comfortable at shortstop, where he has played 245 Minor League games.

Fitzgerald has proven he can play wherever he's needed. His offense isn't where he wants it to be, but Melvin is not concerned.

“Offensive numbers don’t look great, yet he’s still drawing some walks, he's stealing some bases,” the manager said.

Fitzgerald has gotten hotter as Spring Training has neared its conclusion. In the Giants' 7-3 split-squad win against the Cubs in Mesa, Fitzgerald hit his second Cactus League home run, driving in three total runs. This spring, Fitzgerald is slashing .225/.407/.450 with 11 runs scored and 11 RBIs.

The coaching staff has remained supportive of Fitzgerald and reminded him to keep playing his game, even after he was caught stealing in a game earlier in the spring. He said that working with third-base coach Matt Williams has made him feel like he’s in college again.

“For a rookie, something like that can kind of set you back a little bit,” he recalled. “It can make you a little passive, so they just keep telling me to stay aggressive. Stay aggressive, play my game and hopefully I can help them.”

Webb’s rollercoaster day

Logan Webb got off to a rocky start in Friday's home game against the Cubs and was subbed out for Tanner Kiest during the first inning with one out.

Webb came back into the game in the second inning, where he found a rhythm and began to pitch like himself again. Across 4 1/3 frames, Webb allowed nine earned runs on nine hits with three strikeouts.

“Honestly I thought the rest of the outing was pretty good,” he said. “It doesn’t look good, but I’m actually somewhat happy with how I was feeling. The shapes are all fine still.”

Regardless of Webb’s performance this spring, he still remains Melvin’s pick for Opening Day.

Noteworthy

• Blake Snell is scheduled to pitch on Sunday in a Minor League game to help determine what his next steps will be.

• Keaton Winn pitched four innings against the Cubs in Mesa. In the first three frames, Winn faced just ten hitters and allowed one hit.

• Matt Chapman hit his second home run of the spring in Scottsdale, totaling two hits, two runs and an RBI.

• In Mesa, Luis Matos went 2-for-3 with one run while Marco Luciano went 1-for-1 with two runs and three walks.