For the first time since making his big league debut in 2011, Brandon Crawford faces some real competition this year for the Giants at shortstop. Between Mauricio Dubon, Wilmer Flores and Donovan Solano, Crawford could lose some at-bats after struggling last season.
So far, Crawford has responded with flying colors in spring training. Entering Thursday, he has a .417/.462/.667 slash line through his first 13 at-bats and crushed a no-doubt solo shot against the Milwaukee Brewers.
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And he's doing this in an unusual spot for him in the lineup. Crawford has served as manager Gabe Kapler's leadoff batter so far, and is slated to do so again Thursday against the Cleveland Indians. Giants broadcaster Mike Krukow, however, isn't convinced that's where Crawford will consistently bat.
"I'm not convinced of that," Krukow said Tuesday on KNBR's "Murph & Mac Show." "I mean, his on-base percentage the last couple years isn't the kind of on-base percentage that would lead me to believe he's the guy who's gonna be leading off every game. I don't know."
Crawford had a lowly .304 on-base percentage last season and never has posted an OBP higher than .342. Over the last three years, he has a .311 on-base percentage and it's just .316 for his nine-year career.
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San Francisco Giants
Last season, the veteran shortstop started only one game as the Giants' leadoff hitter. That also happened to be the first time doing so in his career. One thing is for certain -- whatever the Giants' array of hitting coaches has told Crawford, it's working.
"But I do like this: His swing looks better than it has in two years," Krukow said. "And that's just the two times that I've seen him hit. It's like 'Whoa, where was that?' What they're suggesting to him, the changes he's making in his swing, it's definitely improving things."