The San Francisco Giants are looking to rebound from a disappointing 2022 season and return to the postseason in 2023.
They failed to follow up their 107-win campaign in 2021 with more success, and much of it had to do with the fact that they struggled on defense, particularly in the outfield.
Last season, the team’s outfield ranked at the bottom of the entire league in Defensive Runs Saved with -44.
However, it’s been a different story this year, and quite a breath of fresh air for the Giants.
To start the 2023 season, San Francisco is eighth in all of baseball in Defensive Runs Saved in the outfield, having combined for four.
Giants outfielders have a combined four defensive runs saved this season (8th in MLB).
Just last season, they ranked last in MLB with -44 DRS. 📈 pic.twitter.com/VeNIwmOI4u
— MLB Now (@MLBNow) April 12, 2023
This is quite a different narrative from a season ago.
Last season, the Giants struggled immensely in the outfield in terms of their defense.
But the script has been flipped in 2023 and the Giants will certainly welcome the improvements.
Defense is a major key for any winning team.
The Giants are not off to the best start in terms of wins and losses, having started off 5-7 and recently lost two out of three to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
But they do have reasons to be optimistic for a potential turnaround as the season progresses, and it’s thanks in large part to their outfield defense.
The Giants have Michael Conforto, LaMonte Wade Jr. Heliot Ramos, Blake Sabol, Mike Yastrzemski, Joc Pederson, and Darin Ruf in the mix for the outfield.
Soon, they’ll get a chance to try out another one of their new signings in Mitch Haniger when he returns from the injured list.
NEXT: Michael Conforto Got A Hero's Welcome In The Giants Clubhouse
