Lamonte Wade Jr. is a professional baseball player currently playing for the San Francisco Giants in Major League Baseball (MLB). He was originally drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the ninth round of the 2015 MLB draft and made his debut with the Twins in 2019.
In February 2021, Wade was traded to the San Francisco Giants for pitcher Shaun Anderson. Since joining the Giants, Wade has become a key player for the team, known for his versatility and late-game heroics.
In this blog post, we will explore Wade’s career up to this point, his trade to the Giants, his performance with the team in 2021, and what the future may hold for this talented young player.
Lamonte Wade Jr.’s Career Before 2021
Lamonte Wade Jr.’s professional career began in 2015, when he was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the ninth round of the MLB draft.
He played in the minor leagues for several years, steadily improving his skills and climbing up the ranks. In 2019, he was called up to the majors for the first time, making his debut with the Twins on June 28, 2019.
Wade’s rookie season with the Twins was a solid one. He appeared in 26 games and batted .196 with a .308 on-base percentage, one home run, and three RBIs.
He primarily played as an outfielder and designated hitter, and showed a good eye at the plate, drawing 12 walks in 63 plate appearances.
In 2020, Wade played in 16 games for the Twins and had a batting average of .231 with a .360 on-base percentage, one home run, and two RBIs. He played primarily as a pinch hitter and defensive replacement, and didn’t see as much playing time as he did in 2019.
Despite his limited playing time with the Twins, Wade showed promise as a versatile player who could contribute in a variety of roles. This likely played a role in the Giants’ decision to trade for him in February 2021, in exchange for pitcher Shaun Anderson.
Trade to the San Francisco Giants
In February 2021, the Minnesota Twins traded Lamonte Wade Jr. to the San Francisco Giants for pitcher Shaun Anderson.
The trade was a bit of a surprise, as Wade had been with the Twins organization since he was drafted in 2015 and was well-regarded as a versatile player who could contribute in a number of different roles.
The Giants, however, saw potential in Wade and believed he could help bolster their outfield and first base positions. Wade was also seen as a good fit for the Giants’ style of play, which emphasizes versatility and strong defense.
For the Twins, the trade allowed them to add another pitcher to their roster, which was an area of need for the team. Shaun Anderson had struggled with the Giants in 2020, but had shown promise in the minor leagues and was seen as a player with upside.
Overall, the trade was seen as a win-win for both teams. The Giants got a player who could help them in the short-term and potentially develop into a long-term contributor, while the Twins were able to address a need on their roster.
Wade’s Performance With the Giants in 2021
After being traded to the San Francisco Giants in February 2021, Lamonte Wade Jr. quickly established himself as a key player for the team.
Throughout the season, he played multiple positions, including first base, outfield, and designated hitter, and was often used as a pinch hitter in clutch situations.
At the plate, Wade had a solid season, batting .253 with a .345 on-base percentage, 9 home runs, and 28 RBIs in 107 games. He showed a good eye at the plate, drawing 39 walks, and was effective in situational hitting, with a .297 batting average with runners in scoring position.
In the field, Wade was a reliable defender, making just one error all season and posting a .996 fielding percentage. He made some spectacular plays, including a diving catch in a game against the Dodgers in September that helped preserve a crucial win for the Giants.
One of Wade’s biggest strengths was his ability to come through in clutch situations. He quickly earned the nickname “Late Night LaMonte” or “Late Inning LaMonte” due to his late-game heroics throughout the regular season.
He had multiple game-winning hits, including a walk-off home run against the Washington Nationals in July that helped propel the Giants to a comeback win.
Overall, Wade’s performance in 2021 was impressive, and he quickly became a fan favorite for his versatility, defensive skills, and clutch hitting.
He played an important role in the Giants’ success during the regular season, and his contributions will likely be key if the team hopes to make a deep postseason run.
Postseason and Beyond
During the 2021 postseason, Lamonte Wade Jr. continued to play an important role for the San Francisco Giants.
In the National League Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Wade had a crucial pinch-hit RBI single in Game 2, helping the Giants secure a win and tie the series at one game apiece. He also made several important defensive plays throughout the series.
Despite the Giants ultimately falling to the Dodgers in the NLDS, Wade’s performance in the postseason further cemented his status as a valuable player for the team.
With his versatility and ability to come through in clutch situations, he will likely continue to be an important contributor for the Giants in the future.
Looking ahead, it’s unclear exactly what the future holds for Wade and his career with the Giants. He will be eligible for arbitration for the first time this offseason, and it remains to be seen what kind of contract he will be offered by the team.
However, given his strong performance in 2021, it seems likely that the Giants will want to keep him around and continue to utilize his skills in a variety of different roles.
Overall, Lamonte Wade Jr.’s journey from the minor leagues to a key player on a playoff team is an inspiring one.
His versatility, strong defensive skills, and ability to come through in clutch situations make him a valuable asset for any team, and it will be exciting to see what the future holds for him in the years to come.
Lamonte Wade Jr.’s Performance During the 2021 Regular Season
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Batting average | .253 |
| On-base percentage | .341 |
| Slugging percentage | .425 |
| OPS (On-base + Slugging) | .766 |
| Home runs | 9 |
| RBIs | 26 |
| Runs scored | 38 |
| Hits | 47 |
| Walks | 26 |
| Strikeouts | 47 |
This table summarizes Wade’s key offensive statistics during the 2021 regular season, including his batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, OPS, home runs, RBIs, runs scored, hits, walks, and strikeouts.
These statistics provide insight into his overall performance at the plate, and help quantify his contributions to the Giants’ success during the regular season.
FAQs
What position does Lamonte Wade Jr. primarily play?
Lamonte Wade Jr. is primarily an outfielder, but he has also played first base and designated hitter for the San Francisco Giants.
Where did Lamonte Wade Jr. play in the minor leagues before being called up to the majors?
Wade played in the Minnesota Twins organization before being called up to the majors in 2019. He was drafted by the Twins in the 9th round of the 2015 MLB Draft.
What other notable moments did Lamonte Wade Jr. have during the 2021 season?
In addition to his late-game heroics, Wade also had some other notable moments during the 2021 season. He hit a grand slam in a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks in June, and he had a three-hit game against the San Diego Padres in September.
How did Lamonte Wade Jr. perform in the 2021 All-Star Game?
Wade was selected to represent the National League in the 2021 All-Star Game, but he did not have an official at-bat in the game. However, he did make a nice defensive play in the outfield during the game.
What is Lamonte Wade Jr.’s contract situation with the San Francisco Giants?
Wade is currently under team control with the Giants and will be eligible for arbitration for the first time this offseason. The team will have to decide whether to offer him a contract for the 2022 season, and negotiations may determine the length and value of the contract.
Conclusion
Lamonte Wade Jr.’s career is a testament to the importance of perseverance and hard work. Despite facing setbacks early in his career, he continued to improve and eventually earned a spot on a playoff team as a versatile and reliable player.
His trade to the San Francisco Giants in 2021 proved to be a great move for both him and the team, as he quickly became an important contributor both at the plate and in the field.
His ability to come through in clutch situations earned him the nickname “Late Night LaMonte” and made him a fan favorite.
As the Giants look ahead to the future, it seems likely that Wade will continue to play an important role on the team, thanks to his versatility and ability to contribute in a number of different ways.
Regardless of what the future holds, his journey serves as an inspiration to all those who dream of making it to the big leagues.
