Willy Adames’ first season with the San Francisco Giants has been nothing short of challenging. An MLB Network analyst thinks he’s figured out why.
Harold Reynolds believes Oracle Park’s outfield dimensions are messing with Adames’ performance. That’s not exactly surprising to Giants fans, who know the ballpark’s quirks all too well.
Reynolds points out that the outfield gaps at Oracle Park are much deeper than what Adames saw in Milwaukee or Tampa Bay. He says this is making it harder for Adames to hit home runs.
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Adames is batting just .198, with only 5 home runs and 26 RBIs through 63 games. That’s a tough line for anyone, especially in a new city.
Oracle Park’s Challenging Dimensions
Oracle Park has a reputation as a pitcher-friendly ballpark. It’s honestly scared off more than a few big-name free agent hitters over the years.
The outfield, especially the power alleys, stretches farther than most other MLB stadiums. Reynolds says the left-center and right-center gaps at Oracle Park are 28 feet and 41 feet deeper than Milwaukee’s, which is wild if you think about it.
That extra distance means balls that used to clear the fence for Adames in Milwaukee are turning into outs in San Francisco. It’s got to be frustrating.
The Impact on Adames’ Performance
Adames’ numbers have dipped far below his career averages. The deeper outfield at Oracle Park is a big reason why.
Reynolds also noticed Adames’ pull percentage is down—26.6% compared to his usual 29.4%. Maybe he’s trying to adjust, but it’s not working yet.
He might need to rethink his approach at the plate to fit his new home. Easier said than done, though.
Adjustments and Potential Solutions
Reynolds thinks Adames should focus on pulling the ball more. That could help him take advantage of the park’s quirks, at least a little.
Looking at Adames’ FanGraphs spray chart, a lot of his outs this year have come on balls hit under 300 feet. That suggests timing or mechanics might be at play too, not just the ballpark.
Oracle Park’s Renovations
Oracle Park moved the fences in from left-center to right-center field back in 2020. But even after that, it’s still one of the toughest places to hit for power.
People argued for years about moving those fences. It helped a bit, but honestly, the park hasn’t lost its reputation as a pitcher’s haven.
Looking Ahead
Adames gets another shot to snap his five-game hitless streak soon, facing the Braves. The game’s on NBC Sports Bay Area at 1:05 p.m. on June 7, 2025.
Giants fans and analysts will be watching. Will Adames figure things out? Guess we’ll see.
Final Thoughts
Willy Adames has really struggled this season, and Oracle Park’s weird dimensions might be a big reason why. Those deep outfield gaps? They’re no joke for hitters.
But honestly, maybe there’s more going on than just the park itself. Adames probably needs to rethink his approach at the plate—could learning to pull the ball help him snap back to his usual numbers?
If you want more updates or just want to keep tabs on how Adames is doing and how Oracle Park keeps messing with hitters, check out the original article on SFGate.
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