According to CSN Bay Area's Andrew Baggarly the San Francisco Giants backup catcher battle between Chris Stewart and Eli Whiteside will go 'down to the wire' and will be based off of how well that can call a game much more than their offensive abilities at the plate. That doesn't make it any easier for the Giants braintrust though.
Both are comfortable with the pitching staff, but are also strikingly similar when it comes to the plate. Whiteside is currently hitting .240 in 25 spring at bats thus far, while Stewart currently owns a .231 clip in 26 plate appearances. Neither are anywhere closer to Hector Sanchez's monster spring though, busting out with a .452 BA along with 4 homers in only 31 AB's. Sanchez isn't likely to make the roster unless some sort of setback happened with Buster Posey (knock on wood), despite being a switch hitter and admirable battery mate. But with a few extra spots open with Ryan Vogelsong and Freddy Sanchez likely on the DL, maybe they could find a spot for Hector.
Eli has a minor-league option in his contract, Stewart does not. Whiteside has more experience with the Giants staff as Stewart got his first taste of consistent action last season after Buster's injury. Stewart is two years younger, and also has a better caught stealing percentage in his career (39 percent to Eli's 30).
There are arguments for both, but there's still too much time to make a final decision.
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