What you need to know about Giants ST

February 9th, 2024

This story was excerpted from Maria Guardado's Giants Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

Spring Training is fast approaching for the Giants.

Here’s a quick rundown of everything you need to know to get ready for the start of the 2024 season:

When is the first workout for pitchers and catchers?
Thursday

What is the date of the first full-squad workout?
Tuesday, Feb. 20

Where is the team’s facility?
The Giants train at Scottsdale Stadium in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Can fans attend workouts?
Workouts at Scottsdale Stadium are generally open to the public when the Giants do not have a home game scheduled. Entry is through Home Plate Plaza on the corner of Osborn Road and Drinkwater Blvd.

Who are some new faces fans should know?
The Giants’ biggest offseason acquisition thus far is Korean center fielder Jung Hoo Lee, who signed a six-year, $113 million deal in December. Other newcomers include flamethrower Jordan Hicks (four years, $44 million), left-hander Robbie Ray (acquired from the Mariners in exchange for Mitch Haniger and Anthony DeSclafani) and veteran catcher Tom Murphy (two years, $8.25 million).

San Francisco will also have a new leader in the dugout, as the club hired Bay Area native Bob Melvin to replace Gabe Kapler, who was dismissed last year after four seasons at the helm.

Who are some of the top prospects invited to Major League camp?
San Francisco’s top three prospects -- left-hander Kyle Harrison, shortstop Marco Luciano and left-hander Carson Whisenhunt -- will be in big league camp this year.

The trio will be joined by outfielders Grant McCray (No. 7) and Wade Meckler (No. 11); two-way prospect Reggie Crawford (No. 8); right-handers Mason Black (No. 9), Hayden Birdsong (No. 10), Landen Roupp (No. 15), Keaton Winn (No. 16), Trevor McDonald (No. 22) and Carson Seymour (No. 23); left-hander Erik Miller (No. 29); catcher Adrian Sugastey (No. 25); and utility man Tyler Fitzgerald (No. 30).

When is the team’s first Cactus League game?
The Giants will open their Cactus League slate on Feb. 24 against the Cubs at Scottsdale Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 12:05 p.m. PT.

What are a few other notable spring games?
The Giants will get their first look at the Shohei Ohtani-led Dodgers on March 7 at 6:05 p.m. PT at Scottsdale Stadium. They’ll also face off twice against Bruce Bochy’s World Series champion Rangers -- first on Feb. 25 at 12:05 p.m. at Surprise Stadium and then on March 1 at 12:05 p.m. at Scottsdale Stadium.

What is Spring Breakout and when is the game?
Spring Training will have a new marquee event this year, as MLB’s most promising talent will participate in a four-day event called Spring Breakout, showcasing baseball’s future and the current stars of Minor League Baseball.

Each Major League club will team up 20 to 25 of its top prospects to play exhibitions against another club’s top prospects while creating in-park fan engagement opportunities centered around up-and-coming players.

The Giants’ prospect team will take on A’s prospects at 4:05 p.m. PT on March 15 at Hohokam Stadium in Mesa, Ariz., with the two big league squads facing off beforehand as part of an in-stadium doubleheader.

When is the club’s last game in Arizona?
San Francisco will close out its Cactus League slate on March 23, when the club is scheduled to host the National League champion D-backs at Scottsdale Stadium at 1:05 p.m. PT.

Will there be any additional exhibitions before the regular season?
After leaving Arizona, the Giants will head to Sutter Health Park for an exhibition game against their Triple-A affiliate, the Sacramento River Cats, on March 24 at 5:07 p.m. PT. They’ll conclude their preseason schedule with a two-game Bay Bridge Series against the A’s, playing one game at the Oakland Coliseum on March 25 and one game at Oracle Park on March 26.

What are the details for Opening Day?
The Giants will kick off the 2024 campaign on March 28 with a 1:10 p.m. PT matchup against the Padres -- Melvin's former club -- at Petco Park.