SAN DIEGO -- Giants manager Tony Vitello came out in defense of Willy Adames after the veteran shortstop’s work ethic was seemingly called into question on national television on Friday night.
In the bottom of the third inning of the Giants’ 7-0 loss the Padres on Friday, Apple TV broadcaster Wayne Randazzo noted that “[Giants infield coach Ron Washington] said it’s been a little bit harder to get Willy Adames to commit to the work, day in and day out, but Adames has been doing it lately. He said you could see the improvements. Tony Vitello even said that whenever you see Adames and Wash work one-on-one, for the next two or three games, Adames is a much better defensive player.”
Vitello took exception to the viral comment, especially considering Adames has been dealing with a back issue that has restricted some of his pregame defensive work this year.
"Any questioning of anyone's work ethic that has to work with Wash is not right," Vitello said before Saturday’s game against the Padres at Petco Park. "It's [stupid], is what it is.
“If anything, if I had a Christmas wish and I was going to say one way or another on the hitting, Willy probably works harder than any offensive player we have on his swing. If anything he could maybe even deduct a couple of swings, and that's not a jab, it's more of a compliment."
Vitello pointed out that the infielders who tend to work with Washington the most before games are second baseman Luis Arraez and first baseman Bryce Eldridge. Arraez was dead set on proving he could still play his natural position in the big leagues this year, while Eldridge is a 21-year-old rookie who is still learning the ins and outs of first base.
Vitello believes the left side of the Giants’ infield -- which features Adames and five-time Gold Glove-winning third baseman Matt Chapman -- is a bit of a different case.
“Those are two guys that have played those positions their whole career,” Vitello said. “They’re veterans. Early on, you guys grilled me about workload for those two guys as far as playing in games. So why would it come out about the other [working more pregame]? It doesn’t make sense. Anyone who’s around Wash, you don’t have a chance to buy in. It’s not an option. You do. And then the work is put in.”
Adames’ defense has regressed in his second season in San Francisco, as he entered Saturday with -12 outs above average at shortstop, tied for the third-worst mark in the Majors among players at any position this year.
Does Vitello believe Adames has been better than the numbers show?
"By the end of the year, the game will tell you who you are," Vitello said. "As you pile up sample size, you start to get a little bit of a just read on things, and I think every player on our team can do a little bit better at what they're doing. But if you look at the guy's body of work and we're just going to talk about one position, he's played that position his entire career and been really good at it, and for us he's made some really dynamic plays.
"I think our group -- whether it's coaches, players, trainers, we're all in that locker room together -- everybody could do a little bit better this year."
Maria Guardado