Giants outfielder Mac Williamson hopes to be back in big leagues soon

SCOTTSDALE, Arizona - Mac Williamson arrived at spring training with a revamped swing and spent this Cactus League season putting up wall-rattling numbers for a power-starved club.

When the Giants optioned him to Triple-A anyway, as part of sweeping roster cuts Monday, the outfielder was realistic enough to know that no amount of hits in the Arizona desert could save him.

Williamson’s roster chances were doomed because he had minor-league options left and because of his previous struggles in the big leagues.

“I haven’t really taken advantages of the opportunities I was given in the past,” Williamson said, choosing his words slowly and carefully. “So it was important to come in this spring and prove that I was worthy of another shot down the line.”

With Williamson, Austin Slater and Chris Shaw sent out Monday, the Giants now have seven outfielders remaining in camp: Andrew McCutchen, Hunter Pence, Austin Jackson, Steven Duggar, Gregor Blanco, Jarrett Parker and Gorkys Hernandez.

Of that group, Parker and Hernandez are out of options, meaning the Giants would expose them to the waiver wire if they sent them to the minors.

Duggar, 24, meanwhile, continues to make a sustained case for the starting center field job. He drove in a run and made a sensational running catch against the Cleveland Indians on Monday, racing into the right-center field alley to take extra bases away from Mike Napoli.

Manager Bruce Bochy held back on making any proclamations about Duggar’s status after the game, saying only that the rookie would start again Tuesday against the Kansas City Royals.

Bochy credited Williamson, 27, with doing his part this spring. The outfielder entered play Monday hitting .333 with a .349 on-base percentage and a .762 slugging percentage.

But Williamson’s career slash line in the majors is .235/.288 /.397 and the Giants want him to continue honing his new swing with regular at-bats in Sacramento.

“It’s good to see Mac and the adjustments he’d made. Spring training is not where you base all of your decisions on,” Bochy said. “He did a lot of work to make some changes and he had a really nice spring. But like I told him ... we’d like to get him some ABs to continue that development.”

Williamson’s new approach at the plate involves a higher leg kick and a lower starting slot for his hands. Bochy said the reconstruction helps Williamson launch more balls in the air, which makes better use of his power.

“He’s a guy who could be out here every day,” Bochy said.

Williamson packed his bags after a 5-4 loss to the Indians. He took a long pause when first asked about his reaction to the news.

“I think this organization has done a good job of putting the right guys on the field and putting guys in the right place to have success,” he said.

In other roster news, the Giants also optioned infielders Orlando Calixte and Chase d’Arnaud. That bodes well for Kelby Tomlinson, who looks like a lock to make the team as a utility infielder. Tomlinson has the edge over the remaining candidates because of his ability to back up shortstop Brandon Crawford.

The Giants optioned Trevor Brown to Triple-A, but the catcher impressed Bochy this spring. In Monday’s game, Brown threw out three base runners - Greg Allen trying to steal second base, Jodd Carter rounding third and Drew Maggi trying to steal second.

In all, that’s three runners over two innings. “His confidence has grown so much,” Bochy said. “This has been a good spring for him.”

This is the full list of players optioned to minor league camp: catcher Trevor Brown, infielder Orlando Calixte, infielder Chase d’Arnaud, pitcher Joan Gregorio, catcher, Justin O’Conner, catcher Hector Sanchez, outfielder Chris Shaw, pitcher Andrew Suarez and pitcher José Valdez.

This is the full list of players optioned to Triple-A Sacramento: pitcher Tyler Beede, pitcher Roberto Gómez, pitcher Derek Law, pitcher Austin Slater and outfielder Mac Williamson.