San Francisco Giants reportedly bringing back Hunter Pence

According to reports, a homecoming is in the works for the San Francisco Giants and fan favorite Hunter Pence.

Hunter Pence holds a key place in the history of the San Francisco Giants. The high energy outfielder not only became a fan favorite with his all out play on the diamond, but he emerged as a leader in the clubhouse, his rousing speeches as the Giants faced elimination in the 2012 NLDS and NLCS helping propel the franchise to victory. Even though he was a part of the team during the lean years in 2017 and 2018, he is a reminder of a better time.

Now, the fan favorite is on his way back. According to reports, Pence will sign a major league contract with the Giants, coming back to where he had his most success.

As the Giants struggled in 2017 and 2018, so too did Pence. In those two years, he posted a combined .249/.297/.368 batting line, hitting 17 homers and 24 doubles in 787 plate appearances. While he still showed a solid eye at the plate and strong contact skills, Pence simply did not have any pop left in his bat. He appeared to be on his way out.

Signed to a minor league deal by the Rangers last year, Pence rediscovered his form. Serving primarily as a designated hitter, he was named to the All Star team and won the Sporting News Comeback Player of the Year award. Even though he missed time with a strained groin muscle and an injury to his left oblique, he posted a surprising .297/.35/.552 batting line with 18 homers and 17 doubles in his 316 plate appearances.

While it is difficult to imagine that Pence will replicate those numbers in 2020, he still serves a valuable function for the Giants. Their projected starting outfield of Mike Yastrzemski, Alex Dickerson, and Steven Duggar are all left handed hitters. The right handed Pence would likely slot into a platoon role.

Pence also adds a touch of nostalgia for a team looking ahead. As Madison Bumgarner has signed in Arizona, and Bruce Bochy having retired, there are few links left to the Giants teams from the first half of the 2010s. As the fanbase dreams of better days ahead, Pence is a reminder of their most recent run of success.

Hunter Pence is coming home, as he is reportedly set to sign with the San Francisco Giants. Not only does he fit from a roster standpoint, but he is a reminder of what the franchise had been not so long ago.