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In this clip from Thompson 2 Clark, hosts Brad Evans and Garrett Gonzales break down the high-stakes battle for the fourth outfielder position as we head toward Opening Day 2026.
With the starting trio of Heliot Ramos, Harrison Bader, and Jung Hoo Lee seemingly locked in, the bench spot comes down to a clash of styles and service time realities. Brad and Garrett dive deep into the candidates:
Luis Matos: He’s out of minor league options. Does his improved 2025 performance earn him a permanent stay, or is he headed for the waiver wire?
Drew Gilbert: The left-handed spark plug who brings elite defense. Does his versatility give him the edge over the power bats?
Jerar Encarnacion: The "statue of power" who can change a game with one swing. Is there room for a high-strikeout, high-reward bat on the 26-man roster?
The guys discuss how the recent signing of Will Brennan complicates things and whether the Giants risk losing a future star on waivers just to keep their veteran depth. It’s a roster crunch that could define the Giants’ bench production for the first half of the season.
What do YOU think? Should the Giants prioritize Matos’ potential, Gilbert’s glove, or Encarnacion’s raw power? Let us know your projected outfield in the comments below!
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