On Wednesday, Giants beat reporter Maria Guardado conducted an AMA (ask me anything) on Reddit. You can read the full transcript here. Here are a few highlights (edited lightly for clarity and brevity):
What are some of your favorite surprises about the team this year?
I didn't necessarily expect Logan Webb to be among the league's strikeout leaders more than one-third of the way through the season, but I think that just tells you how driven he is to constantly get better and find ways to improve. It's been cool to see him continue to evolve as a pitcher over the years. The other big surprise for me has been Randy Rodríguez, who has been the most dominant reliever in the Giants' lights-out bullpen. He's been such a stud. (He’s also an avid reader! You can read more about him here.)
The vibes seem like they’re completely different this year. What have you noticed from the team that reflects that?
I think the biggest difference is that the Giants have really prioritized roster continuity this year, which was something that was kind of missing during the Farhan Zaidi era. There hasn't been a constant shuttle of players from Triple-A Sacramento to the Majors, which has allowed the team's core players to build their chemistry and develop a good culture in the clubhouse. Even though Willy Adames has endured a rough start at the plate, he's been a key glue guy who has brought non-stop energy and good vibes in the dugout, so I think he deserves some credit for that as well.
If the Giants are still having difficulty scoring runs going into the All-Star break do you see them parting with any of their pitching depth to acquire a big bat?
I think they'll definitely try to acquire another impact bat, although I'm curious to see what Dominic Smith can provide over the next month or so. He's looked pretty impressive on both sides of the ball, so he could have a chance to be more than just a placeholder for Bryce Eldridge if he continues to produce. I thought it was interesting that Buster Posey recently told Tim Kawakami of the San Francisco Standard that he loved Brian Sabean's willingness to trade Zack Wheeler for Carlos Beltrán at the 2011 Trade Deadline. Perhaps that could provide some insight into the kind of approach Posey will try to take at his first Deadline.
The Giants have, obviously, been aggressive on the basepaths this year. But that strategy has led to some bad blunders that can remove potential runs. Are the Giants worried/focused on improving that, or is that a trade-off they’re willing to take? How much does the elite pitching add to their added aggression?
Also: what is your favorite story that you have written and why?
The Giants obviously don't have a ton of team speed, but I think they recognize that they need to try to push the envelope when they can since their offense hasn't exactly been firing on all cylinders in recent weeks. While there have been some baserunning blunders, there has also been some well-executed double steals that led to runs, and those small things can make a big difference for a team that has played the most one-run games in the Majors. I think they'll continue to pick their spots as far as who gets the green light and so forth, but it'll be important for them to continue to find ways to scratch across runs given the consistent production they've received from their pitching staff this year.
Picking my favorite story is kind of hard, but I really enjoyed writing this piece on manager of education and cultural development Laura Núñez a few years ago. I thought it was cool to spotlight one of the many player development staffers who work behind the scenes to support players, particularly young prospects who come over from Latin America.
What advice do you have for young women looking to enter the sports industry?
I think it's really important to seek out mentors and find people who can serve as a kind of support system for you within the industry. Breaking into a male-dominated industry can be intimidating, so I think it's crucial that you try to surround yourself with people who will understand the type of challenges you can run into and advocate on your behalf. I feel super lucky because I work in a market that's home to a ton of other talented women -- Susan Slusser, Shayna Rubin, Janie McCauley, to name a few -- so it's nice to feel well represented in the press box. If there aren't a ton of women in your market, I recommend reaching out directly to journalists who you admire and try building a professional network of sorts. Most reporters are more than happy to help, so don't hesitate to try to make your own connections!