The San Francisco Giants have enjoyed an impressive spring training so far, with several players performing well. However, two players in particular needed standout performances to secure a spot on the Opening Day roster—and they’ve certainly delivered.
Outfielder and designated hitter Jerar Encarnacion has been tearing it up at the plate, while Landen Roupp has been dominant on the mound. Their strong showings have positioned both players as likely locks for the Opening Day roster.
Jerar Encarnacion and Landen Roupp have likely earned their way onto SF Giants Opening Day roster
Heading into camp, Jerar Encarnacion was far from a guaranteed roster spot. Despite showing promise with the team last season and being out of minor league options, he still needed to prove that his minor league power surge and high exit velocity weren’t just a fluke.
So far in spring training, he has done exactly that. Over 38 at-bats, the 27-year-old slugger has racked up 13 hits, including a towering home run against the Dodgers, and has driven in 13 runs.
His biggest competition for a roster spot comes from Luis Matos and Grant McCray, both of whom have also performed well. However, since Encarnacion is out of options, the Giants will be reluctant to let him go, increasing his chances of making the team.
On the pitching side, Landen Roupp isn’t necessarily locked into the starting rotation, but given his performance, it’s hard to see him missing the Opening Day roster. In four starts covering 12 innings, he holds a 3.75 ERA, though that number is somewhat deceptive—he delivered three scoreless outings, including a dominant performance against San Diego, before struggling in his fourth start.
His tough outing against the Chicago Cubs seems to be more of an outlier. If he can bounce back and return to his early spring form, he should have no trouble securing a roster spot.
Currently, Roupp is a strong contender for the fifth rotation spot, though someone like Kyle Harrison could ultimately claim it. Even if that happens, Roupp should still make the team as a long reliever.
Regardless, given the ups and downs of a long season, Roupp will almost certainly start games for the Giants at some point this year. He showed promise as a starter last season, and despite a crowded field of pitchers this spring, he has managed to stand out once again—just like he did last year.
Both Encarnacion and Roupp needed to shine in Cactus League play to secure a spot on the Opening Day roster, and they have done just that. Now, the hope is that they can carry their strong performances into the regular season.
