The Giants have activated shortstop Brandon Crawford from the 10-day IL ahead of the club’s season finale against the Dodgers this afternoon, as noted by Maria I. Guaradado of MLB.com. Outfielder Heliot Ramos was optioned in the corresponding move. Crawford will bat leadoff and start at shortstop in today’s game at Oracle Park.
Crawford’s appearance today could well be his final one as a Giant. The bay area native was a fourth-round pick by San Francisco in the 2008 draft and has been a staple of the franchise ever since he made his debut in 2011. A three-time All Star, Crawford has won World Series championships with the Giants in 2012 and 2014. He’s a four-time Gold Glove award winner and added a Silver Slugger award to his mantle back in 2015. He was one of the club’s top players as recently as 2021, when he slashed .298/.373/.522 in 138 games en route to a fourth place finish in NL MVP voting, behind only Bryce Harper, Juan Soto, and Fernando Tatis Jr. as the Giants won 107 games to capture the NL West crown.
Unfortunately, things have taken a turn for the worse in 2023 as Crawford has struggled with both injuries and ineffectiveness. He’s made four trips to the injured list this year, and when healthy enough to take the field has slashed .197/.276/.319 with a career-high 25% strikeout rate in 316 trips to the plate. That figures to limit interest in his services this offseason, particularly as he’ll turn 37 before Spring Training 2024. Further complicating matters is Crawford’s previously indicated desire to end his career in a Giants uniform. Top infield prospect Marco Luciano made his big league debut earlier this season, and the 22-year-old youngster figures to get first crack at the club’s starting shortstop job next year with Crawford no longer under contract.
Whether or not today marks the end of Crawford’s time in San Francisco, it’s been a phenomenal run. Over 13 seasons with the Giants, Crawford has slashed .250/.319/.396 while playing superlative defense at shortstop. He’s collected 1,392 hits, 290 doubles, and 146 home runs across his 1,653 games suited up for the Giants.
As for Ramos, the 24-year-old outfielder’s season comes to a close with just 57 trips to the plate in the big leagues, during which he hit a paltry .186/.246/.321. In 263 trips to the plate at the Triple-A level, Ramos posted far more respectable numbers, with a .300/.382/.546 slash line in 263 trips to the plate while logging time at all three outfield spots.
