Sunday BP: Predict the Opening Day outfield

Hello and happy Sunday.

Last week, Darin Ruf told KNBR’s Mark W. Sanchez that he “loved every minute” of the San Francisco Giants season, and that he’d “love to be a part of it next year.”

Ruf returned to MLB in 2020 following a three-year stint in the KBO, after he had failed to stick around at the big league level. He had a tremendous year, hitting .276/.370/.517. Had I told you that before the season, you probably would have thought he’d been the Giants best offensive outfielder.

But no. He was not their best offensive outfielder. He was also not their second-best offensive outfielder. He was also not their third-best offensive outfielder. He had a wonderful season, but it was slightly shown up by the remarkable campaigns of Mike Yastrzemski, Alex Dickerson, and Austin Slater. Those players, combined with Mauricio Dubon’s surprisingly strong defense in center field, gave the Giants quite a formidable outfield.

And those four names, plus the subtraction of roster sizes and the designated hitter, make Ruf’s journey to the 2021 Opening Day roster a little bit tricky. Far from impossible, but tricky.

And that’s before you get to the fact that the Giants will likely look for a big bat in free agency, and that Heliot Ramos is getting close to being MLB ready.

So put in your predictions: who will be the outfielders on the 2021 Opening Day roster?

Did Barry Bonds hit a home run today?

Nope.

Old, random MCC article for you to read

Remembering the AstroTurf years at Candlestick Park (Aug. 5, 2018 — Bryan Murphy)

Giants links

• John Shea on how difficult it will be for the Giants to rebuild their rotation (SF Chronicle)
• Marc Delucchi on why Marcus Semien would be a good fit with the Giants (Around the Foghorn)
• Jeff Young on the latest projections not being kind to Giants pitchers (Around the Foghorn)

How many days until Opening Day?

There are 158 days until Opening Day.

I hope you have a glorious Sunday.