SAN FRANCISCO — Camera operators have learned by this point. When the Giants orchestrate a big moment, it’s best practice to pan to Drew Gilbert.
Gilbert, acquired in the trade that sent Tyler Rogers to the New York Mets, has brought a fervent, unparalleled energy to San Francisco, a college-like intensity that is seldom seen in the majors. He’s biting the shirts of teammates. He’s celebrating regular-season home runs as if it’s the World Series. He’s has a celebration that involves third baseman Matt Chapman wrapping his hands around Gilbert’s neck.
It’s not uncommon for clubhouses to subdue large personalities, especially those of rookies. The Giants, though, have allowed Gilbert to unabashedly be himself. To an extent.
“Believe it or not,” Chapman said, “this is him subdued.”
“It’s fun to watch. It’s a spark plug,” said starter Logan Webb. “He’s actually a really good player to go along with that energy. It’s fun to see.”
One of the first instances where Gilbert displayed his hallmark hyperactivity was in mid-August during the Giants’ four-game series against the Padres in San Diego. The Giants were leading 2-0 in the top of the first on back-to-back solo homers by Heliot Ramos and Rafael Devers when Wilmer Flores launched San Francisco’s third homer of the inning.
As Flores rounded the bases, Gilbert elevated to the dugout’s top railing, screaming at the top of his lungs.
Gilbert’s animated nature was again on display during the Giants’ Monday night win against the Arizona Diamondbacks. In the middle of San Francisco’s five-run sixth inning, Gilbert bit the sleeve of starter Robbie Ray and yanking on it like a rabid dog as if he was actually attempting to rip it off.
“As you guys see, anybody that watches Giants games will know that Gilbert has a fantastic energy,” said center fielder Jung Hoo Lee through team interpreter Justin Han. “He brings it into the clubhouse. He’s a great player, and I’m happy that he’s helping out the team right now.”
The 24-year-old’s most over-the-topic antic without question involves Chapman, who will put both of his hands around Gilbert’s neck while the rookie yells and screams in his face. When asked how it started, Chapman said it likely happened when Gilbert “was trying to attack me like a little puppy dog.”
“That’s just me having a restraining order against him,” Chapman laughed. “It’s me telling him to keep his distance, stay away from me.”
Said manager Bob Melvin: “It really has brought a whole other level to, it’s always been a close team, but now you’ve got — I don’t want to use a bad word — a very exuberant kid who’s so happy to be in the big leagues. He’s enamored with the whole thing. He’s not lost that he’s in the big leagues now. He’s playing with guys like Rafael Devers. He embraces it, yet finds a way to go out there and play well during the game, too.”
For all the extracurriculars, Gilbert cannot be reduced to a hype man given his role in San Francisco’s late-season resurgence.
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Gilbert initially struggled upon being called up in early August, going 3-for-31 with 10 strikeouts over his first 14 games. Over his last 10 games entering Tuesday, by contrast, Gilbert is 12-for-31 with two homers, nine runs scored and 10 RBIs. On Aug. 31, Gilbert recorded his first career three-hit game. The next day, he recorded his first career four-hit game.
“A lot of guys, myself included, when you get to the big leagues, you’ve got to get over the awe factor that you’re actually in the big leagues and playing with these guys,” Melvin said. “He certainly understands all that, but also has confidence to go out there and play well. But it is a different type of energy in our dugout, now, with him.”
