Grant McCray’s limited 2025 major league run has offered the SF Giants both a reminder of his athletic upside and a clear look at the issue that has kept him from settling in. Defense has not been the problem. The bat still is.
McCray was drafted by San Francisco in 2019, and his rise has always been built around speed, range and a strong arm. He showed that blend again Friday at Oracle Park, when he drew a walk, stole a bag, scored on a sacrifice fly and threw out a runner at third in the 10th inning. It was the kind of all-around impact that can keep a player in the picture even when the offensive production is uneven.
The glove and legs are still showing up
McCray’s defensive value has already been on display before this season. Last September, he fired a 101 mph throw in a win against the other Los Angeles team, a reminder that his tools can change a game in the outfield. That same athleticism has shown up in 2025 through stolen bases, runs scored and plays that help the Giants survive close innings.
He has made six appearances so far this season after being called up on July 10 following Jonah Cox’s injury. In a roster battle that is partly about auditions for next season, that kind of versatility matters. A player who can defend and create pressure on the bases always has a path to value.
The strikeout problem is still the issue
The problem for McCray is the same one that followed him through 2024. In 37 games last season, he hit three doubles, two triples and five home runs, but he also posted a 43.1% strikeout rate. This year, that number is still too high at 42.3% through his six appearances.
That is the number that will determine whether McCray can turn brief call-ups into a more stable major league role. The power and speed are real, but the strikeouts leave too many empty at-bats. For a player trying to win a job with the SF Giants, that is the hurdle that keeps standing in the way.
There is still plenty for San Francisco to like about McCray. His athletic tools are obvious, and the defense has not been the issue. But unless the strikeout rate comes down, the conversation around him will keep coming back to the same conclusion: the talent is there, but the offensive margin is thin.
