Joc Pederson ‘really steady’ despite SF Giants’ status as non-contender

SAN FRANCISCO — Despite Joc Pederson’s reality, destined for the couch in October for the first time in his career, and his comments after Tuesday night’s win, claiming it has not been a fun experience, manager Gabe Kapler has seen no change in Pederson’s approach to the game this September.

“He’s been really steady,” Kapler said Wednesday.

Pederson, who showed up to the ballpark Wednesday with his curly mop newly dyed light purple, drew attention from reporters after his performance in Tuesday night’s win — the Giants’ seventh in their past eight games — slugging his 23rd homer of the season as one of a pair of hits.

But Pederson was less interested in discussing his day at the plate, which due to the Giants’ position in the standings, made no impact on baseball’s playoff picture.

“I signed up here after this team won 107 games expecting to compete again,” Pederson said. “Things didn’t go our way. It happens. I don’t enjoy not playing meaningful baseball. … I like playing in the playoffs.”

While Pederson said he still thought the Giants were “really good” and attributed their struggles this season to a “fluke year,” he said the experience of not playing in a pennant chase has been “not fun.”

Despite the circumstances, Pederson’s bat has reignited since a midseason slump and been one of the Giants’ most reliable hitters this month. His .895 OPS this month ranks second, behind J.D. Davis, and his three home runs are tied with Davis and Thairo Estrada for second behind hot-hitting rookie David Villar.

With their win Tuesday night, the Giants clinched their first month with a winning record since April.

The Giants’ recent hot streak has given them a realistic chance at finishing at .500. Entering Wednesday night, they had to win five of their final eight games to avoid following a 107-win season with a losing record.

“That’s irrelevant to me, honestly,” Pederson said. “You’re either in the playoffs or you’re not in the playoffs. When you’re in the playoffs, anything can happen. I don’t think it matters being .500 or not.”

Kapler has known Pederson since their days in the Dodgers organization, when Kapler was their farm director and Pederson an up-and-coming prospect.

“Knowing Joc pretty well over a long period of time, he’s been a pretty steady, even dude,” Kapler said. “I read his comments postgame. Sometimes those things get a little bit more life than the player means them to get. I think that’s probably what happened (Tuesday) night.”

Pederson, a Palo Alto native, is a free agent after this season.

President of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi has said the Giants have broached Pederson’s side about a new contract.

While Pederson called the Giants a “really cool” and “really awesome” organization, he said his future is up in the air.

“I don’t know,” Pederson said. “I guess we’ll see what happens in the offseason.”

Parenting matters: Before Wednesday’s game, the Giants placed reliever Jarlín García on the paternity list, which allows a player to miss up to three games. Kapler said he expects García “to take the full three days.”

García, who is already a parent to a daughter, will be the second Giants pitcher to expand their family this month. Alex Wood and his wife, Suzanna, welcomed their first child — a boy named Asa Francisco — last Wednesday morning.

In García’s place, the Giants recalled right-hander Sean Hjelle from Triple-A. Hjelle, who impressed in bulk duties this September, was expected to take down a chunk of the innings in Wednesday night’s bullpen game.

Judge reaches record: Wherever Aaron Judge plays next season, whether it be in Yankee pinstripes, Giants colors or elsewhere, he will do so holding at least a piece of history.

Judge hit his 61st home run Wednesday, matching Roger Maris for the most in a single season in American League history. (He has his work cut out for him, though, to catch Barry Bonds’ major-league record of 73.)

While Kapler said the Giants were paying “soft focus” to Judge’s record chase, he said the pursuit was good for the game.

“Somewhere out there on the other side of the Levi’s Landing sign, Aaron Judge is doing this really remarkable, remarkable thing,” Kapler said Wednesday, before Judge hit No. 61. “He’s one of the best hitters in baseball and he’s having a historic season. It’s a beautiful thing for the sport because I think everyone can watch it and appreciate it.

“And also we have Giants games to focus our attention on, and that’s really important, too.”

Holy Schmitt: While David Villar has impressed this month, it’s possible the Giants’ future at third base is playing at Triple-A Sacramento. That player is Casey Schmitt, a slick, sure-handed defender, who was recently promoted to Triple-A Sacramento and hit his first home run at the level Tuesday night.

Kapler said Schmitt, the Giants’ second-round pick in 2020, is on his radar.

“Not because he’s at Triple-A but because he’s performed really well this year.”

Schmitt’s homer Tuesday night was his 21st of the season, after hitting eight in his pro debut last year.

“Since he’s been in the organization, the reports on him have been elite defender first and bat work in progress,” Kapler said. “He’s had a good offensive year.”

Seventeen of Schmitt’s homers came with High-A Eugene, where he spent most of this season, before earning his first promotion to Double-A Richmond, where he posted an even better batting average (.342) and OPS (.895).

When Richmond was eliminated last week from the Double-A Eastern League playoffs, the Giants promoted Schmitt to Triple-A, perhaps offering a hint at where he may start next season.

“Knowing that’s coming at some point is certainly encouraging to say the least,” Kapler said.

Holy Schmitt!

Casey bashes his first Triple-A homer!#ClawsUp pic.twitter.com/B4sNyMb6Ab

— Sacramento River Cats (@RiverCats) September 28, 2022