Villar embraces second chance with Giants

ANAHEIM -- Just a few weeks ago, David Villar didn’t think he would be back with the Giants. He had been designated for assignment after Spring Training, eventually being sent down to Triple-A Sacramento after he cleared waivers.

So when he was called into the office on Saturday, Villar was fully expecting to have been traded or moved somewhere else. Instead, he learned his contract had been selected by the Giants. He was heading back to the big leagues.

“Definitely not on my bingo card,” Villar said. “But things happen.”

Sometimes, all it takes is a stroke of fate. Villar, once a promising third base prospect not that long ago, was blocked at the hot corner by five-time gold glove winner Matt Chapman. First base, Villar’s secondary position, was log jammed by a platoon of LaMonte Wade, Jr., Wilmer Flores and Casey Schmitt. It looked like Villar had no future in San Francisco.

But, as he said on Saturday, things happen.

Outfielder Jerar Encarnacion fractured his left hand diving for a flyball on the second-to-last day of camp, landing him on the 60-day injured list and clearing up a DH spot for Flores. And less than a half hour before Friday’s game against the Angels in Anaheim, Schmitt strained his left oblique hitting in the batting cage. He was placed on the 10-day IL, clearing up a spot – and another chance – for Villar.

“Not what I envisioned,” Villar said. “But I’m grateful for every opportunity I’ve gotten and I have. When you get DFA’ed and you clear waivers for the first time, it’s a shock, but it’s part of the business.

“So, two ways to face it is either you kick it to the curb, or try to get back to where you think you belong. And that’s what I’ve done.”

Following a lackluster spring during which he slashed .200/.265/.444 and struck out 18 times, Villar used his time in Sacramento to refine his approach at the plate. He knows his power will always be there, but wanted to focus on getting more consistent contact and cutting down on his swings and misses, shortening his swing as a result.

Through 15 games with the River Cats, Villar slashed .368/.439/.439 with an OPS of .878.

“I was talking to [River Cats manager] Dave Brundage today. The minute [Villar] got there, he took it very seriously and was playing hard every day,” Giants manager Bob Melvin said. “Wasn’t making any excuses, wasn’t whining about not getting the opportunity, and then he produced. That’s why he’s here.”

Melvin expects Villar to slide into a platoon with Wade at first base, with Villar going against lefties. That means he got the start in Sunday’s series finale at the Big A. He’ll also be available to pinch hit any time when he’s not in the lineup.

He’s also focused on doing the little things with his latest opportunity. Things like getting guys on first over to second, bringing a runner home from third, and playing good defense at first.

“It’s my job now to just fill in where I can,” Villar said. “And just help this team continue the streak that they’ve been on.”