The past two seasons, Chris Shaw has led the Giants, from the minors to the majors, in home runs. In back-to-back years, the former first-round pick has launched 24 long balls.
While Shaw has certainly found success at the plate, he says he has learned the most about himself this season in Sacramento, especially the past two months.
"It's been a really good learning year for me," Shaw said on KNBR before his MLB debut on Friday. "I haven't really bought into a plan like I've bought in the past two months or so, learning about myself as a hitter."
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Before this season, Shaw was much more of a see-ball-hit-ball hitter using his natural ability and power. Now he understands heat maps of where he succeeds and struggles, and the tendencies he shows in the box.
In Sacramento, Shaw had an up-and-down season at the plate, batting .259 with an .813 OPS. He essentially followed a down month with a big month at the plate and vice versa. All in all, the big lefty brings a much-needed power bat to the Giants where his home runs and .505 slugging percentage would lead the team.
Another aspect of his game Shaw has continually worked on is his defense in the outfield, which has also been more of a question mark than his bat. Shaw played right field collegiately at Boston College, but was drafted as a first baseman. He officially moved to left field last season in Double-A Richmond.
"I feel great out there now, I really do. I feel as natural out there as I could on a baseball field," Shaw said.
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The Giants called up Shaw hours after trading Andrew McCutchen to the Yankees on Aug. 31. He knew a McCutchen trade could open a spot up for him, but made sure to keep his focus on Sacramento before San Francisco.
"There's so much uncertainty with what exact move they're going to make following that, what it's going to be," Shaw said. "All along I thought that might be a way to open up some playing time."
Shaw sat on a bus with his bags packed for a trip to Las Vegas with the rest of his River Cats teammates when he found out the news. Manager Dave Brundage oredered Shaw off the bus and told him to get to San Francisco with the rest of his Giants teammates.
"It's pretty incredible," Shaw said of the moment. "It's one of those moments you dream about your whole life from the time I played Little League. Coming up through the ranks, it's kind of your motivation for your offseason workouts and to finally have it come to fruition, I can't even put it into words."
No more bus rides for Shaw. He's in San Francisco as a Giant for the rest of the season and will catch a flight to Colorado Sunday night where he can finally have some leg room. Welcome to the bigs, rook.