Giants’ Prospect Casey Schmitt Blasts Solo Home Run in MLB Debut
Most young players usually need a handful of games before making their presence felt at the big-league level, but not San Francisco Giants prospect Casey Schmitt, who enjoyed a memorable MLB debut on Tuesday.
Schmitt, the franchise’s No. 4 rated prospect, was promoted to majors ahead of Tuesday’s contest versus the Washington Nationals and made an instant impact, going 2-for-4 with a solo home run off left-hander Patrick Corbin for his first MLB hit.
The 24-year-old grounded out in his first big-league at-bat, smoking a 100.6-mph grounder at Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams. But he followed that up with a 103.8-mph blast to left-centre his next time up, travelling 420 feet for his first career RBI.
In doing so, Schmitt became the youngest Giant to hit a home run in his big-league debut since Will Clark, who homered as a 22-year-old on April 8, 1986.
With 40-plus friends and family members in attendance, including his 84-year-old grandmother, the 6-foot-2 righty was overwhelmed with emotion as he rounded the bases and entered San Francisco’s dugout.
“That was crazy,” Schmitt said following the Giants’ 4-1 victory over the Nationals. “I didn’t know what to say. It felt like I was in a movie. It’s stuff that I’m never going to forget.”
Schmitt also lined a ball back up the middle in the sixth inning for his second hit of the game, adding to his already spectacular day. And to top things off, he made a few noteworthy plays while holding down the fort at shortstop.
The San Diego State standout received the nod at short with Brandon Crawford sidelined with a right calf strain, allowing the Giants to shift Thairo Estrada back to his usual position at second base. While it was only one game, the rookie infielder opened some eyes with his defense.
Not only did he grab the coaching staff’s attention, but he also drew high praise from Crawford, a four-time Gold Glove Award winner.
“The person he reminds me most of is [Cardinals third baseman Nolan] Arenado,” Crawford said. “The way he uses his hands and his feet, kind of how in sync they are together. That would be my best comparison, at least defensively.”
The second-round selection from 2020 has long been viewed as the premier defender within the Giants’ farm system, which saw him win the Minor League Gold Glove Award at third base last season. He also comes with versatility at second base and shortstop.
Schmitt’s defensive value is also a trait that will likely keep him in the majors even after Crawford returns to action.
“Our roster right now has a need for someone who can get Thairo off his feet from time to time and move around, play a little shortstop for us, play a little second base, play a little third base when J.D. [Davis] needs a day off,” manager Gabe Kapler said. “I feel like there’s ample opportunity for us to get him consistent playing time and not have him not in the lineup for too long.
“Casey is here to play for us. He’s here to help the Giants win and continue his development.”
Proving that he’s no flash in the pan, Schmitt followed up his debut by going 2 for 4 with two runs scored on May 10th vs. the Nationals.
The promising young infielder made an impact with his bat at triple-A Sacramento earlier this season, hitting .313/.352/.410 with one home run and 22 RBIs in 32 games. He also logged 266.1 combined innings at shortstop, second and third base.
Schmitt slashed .293/.365/.489 with 21 round-trippers, 78 RBIs and a 134 wRC+ across three levels (high-A, double-A, triple-A) over 126 games last season.
-Thomas Hall
Twitter: @ThomasHall85
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