Daniel Susac Just Made Giants History and He's Only Getting Started

The rookie catcher walked into Oracle Park and did something no San Francisco Giant had ever done before: opened his career with five consecutive hits. Daniel Susac is 24 years old, three weeks into his MLB life, and he's already the talk of the National League West.

On Tuesday night against the Phillies, Susac went 3-for-4 with a two-run triple in a 6-0 Giants blowout. When he ripped his fifth straight hit to start the season, he was one swing away from becoming the first player in baseball since Ted Cox of the Boston Red Sox in 1977 to begin his career 6-for-6. He flew out in the sixth inning and fell just short of that historic mark. But here's the thing: he already beat Willie McCovey, the Hall of Famer who started his Giants career 4-for-4 back in 1959. Susac is currently batting .857.

A Rule 5 Gamble That's Paying Off Big

Susac came to San Francisco as a Rule 5 Draft pick that the Minnesota Twins claimed from the Athletics in the offseason before trading him to the Giants. He saw an opening and seized it. The kid made offseason adjustments that are showing up in real-time at the plate. "A lot of it has to do with offseason changes I made," Susac said. "Just being a lot calmer at the plate, smooth, seeing the ball a little better. Growing up, my strength was the opposite side of the field. So getting back to that, taking what they give me as well."

Manager Tony Vitello is ready to ride the hot hand. Regular catcher Patrick Bailey is struggling at .129 with four hits (all singles) in 31 at-bats. "I think he's obviously earned the right to be out there for us more often," Vitello said. "It would be good for those guys. I think they have a good friendship and also a good working relationship. You'll be seeing plenty of both guys as the season goes on."

Philly's Rough Night Gets Worse

The Phillies mustered just four hits in Tuesday's loss and made costly defensive mistakes in the fifth inning. Star shortstop Trea Turner fumbled a grounder that looked like a sure double play. Then left fielder Otto Kemp's reaction time was slow as Matt Chapman's RBI double sailed over his head. "Hindsight, I wish I would have tried to beat the ball to the spot," Kemp said. "Better chance to make that play rather than trying to jump up."

Philadelphia also lost catcher J.T. Realmuto in the bottom of the first inning when he took a foul ball off the bat of Rafael Devers to the right foot. X-rays came back negative, but manager Rob Thomson will re-evaluate him Wednesday. Rafael Marchan will handle catching duties in the series finale, coming off a hitless night Tuesday.

The pitching matchup Wednesday: Aaron Nola (1-0, 3.18 ERA) for the Phillies against Tyler Mahle (0-2, 7.00) for the Giants. Nola has struggled against San Francisco historically, going 3-3 with a 7.00 ERA in nine career starts. Mahle is 1-1 with a 3.46 ERA in three career starts against Philadelphia.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.