SF Giants have the slowest roster in the majors

MLB teams are expected to run wild this year thanks to a series of rule changes, but the SF Giants roster seems ill-equipped to capitalize.

MLB's rule changes, which were designed to increase base stealing around the league appear to be working early this season. However, while stolen bases are up across the league, the SF Giants are not in prime position to capitalize, according to an analysis by Mike Petriello of MLB.com, which determined that the Giants project to be the slowest team in the league this season.

SF Giants infielder Thairo Estrada touches second base in a game against the Rockies. (2022) / Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

"The slowest 2022 teams were the White Sox, Mariners and Giants," wrote Petriello. "That’s right, last year’s slowest team is projected to be 2023’s slowest projected team, despite a number of changes in their lineup."

Petriello's analysis cross-referenced Baseball Savant's sprint-speed data with FanGraphs' projected depth charts to calculate each team's estimated average sprint speed. The Giants were one of just seven teams projected to have an average sprint speed of less than 27 mph. The Philadelphia Phillies, on the other hand, project to be the fastest team in MLB, with an average sprint speed of more than 28 mph.

Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi discussed wanting to get more athletic throughout the offseason, but the team's most notable position-player acquisitions Michael Conforto and Mitch Haniger are not known for their speed. In fact, Haniger is a well below-average runner.

Among players who have had their sprint speeds recorded at least five times this season, Thairo Estrada is by far the fastest Giant. Estrada ranks 35th in the league (out of 273) with a 28.3 mph sprint speed. However, the next fastest Giant on the list, Mike Yastrzemski, ranks 133rd.

Petriello pointed out in his writeup that the Giants could escape the basement if outfielder Bryce Johnson receives more playing time than expected. FanGraphs only projected Johnson to receive 54 plate appearances this season, but it's hard to envision him remaining on the big-league roster if Haniger and Austin Slater are able to return from the injured list at some point in April or May.

The SF Giants farm system has some intriguing speedsters throughout the organization, highlighted by outfielders Grant McCray (Giants #5 prospect), Vaun Brown (Giants #6 prospect), and P.J. Hilson (Giants #35 prospect). However, none of those prospects are imminently close to the major leagues. For now, Johnson and infielder Brett Wisely (Giants #22 prospect) are the best options in the organization if the Giants want to get faster.