The SF Giants defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday night in a 5-1 victory to return to .500 on the season. Before the game was over, recently called-up Giants prospect Tyler Fitzgerald ( Giants Top 13 Prospect ) had a highlight he will never forget. With the Giants leading 3-1 in the top of the ninth inning, a two-out single by fellow rookie Marco Luciano gave Fitzgerald a chance to hit against Ryan Yarbrough. Fitzgerald was 0-for-3 with two strikeouts in the game, but he lined a 2-2 offspeed pitch from Yarbrough into the left field stands.
Fitzgerald recorded his first-career MLB hit during his big-league debut on Thursday. He went 1-for-2 with a double and a walk. So, Fitzgerald has yet to finish a game hitless in his MLB career thus far. Not a bad start.
Fitzgerald was drafted by the Giants in the fourth round of the 2019 MLB Draft out of Louisville. Fitzgerald has been one of the organization's most productive hitters since he turned pro. This year, he has hit .292/.365/.511 with 26 doubles, seven triples, 22 home runs, and 32 stolen bases in the minor leagues. He has hit at least 20 home runs in all three of his full professional seasons and recently posted his second consecutive 20-20 campaign.
The 26-year-old Fitzgerald is one of the best athletes in the organization. His elite speed has consistently made him a problem on the base paths, but also gives him some unique potential defensive versatility. Fitzgerald was primarily a shortstop throughout his career, but began seeing time in center field this season at Triple-A and has some comparable characteristics to versatile platoon bats like Chris Taylor, Mauricio Dubón, and Marwin González. He's sure off to an impressive start with the SF Giants.
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