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SANTA CLARA – No drastic measures were taken by the 49ers in the NFL Draft, nor in this spring’s free agency, nor on the hypothetical trade market.

Their roster, simply put, remains ever-ready to defend the NFC crown. A long road awaits in that regard, not to mention the potential to stop the Kansas City Chiefs’ three-peat bid.

“We did it through free agency as good as we could. We did it through the draft as good as we can,” coach Kyle Shanahan said Saturday. “Now I’m excited to focus on real football and going to work.”

These are your 2024 49ers, give or take a roster’s natural evolution leading up to, ideally, Super Bowl LIX on Feb. 9 in New Orleans.

It’s been 2 1/2 months since they lost in overtime to the Chiefs with the Lombardi Trophy on the line. With all but a couple of defensive starters returning, the 49ers know the increased urgency to win a championship with such a large group of handsomely paid and highly decorated players.

“When you get close to the Super Bowl and you don’t win it, there’s always more pressure, especially from the outside in, because you’ll hear about it more,” Shanahan said. “Everyone has a certain expectation for the season, because you always want to do better the next year, and there’s not a lot of room to do better, except one more game.

“Everyone wants to get their mind to that spot. But every team is different each year, too,” Shanahan added. “You go into a year and the main thing is you don’t want to get worse. You’re always trying to get better.”

In starting Year 8 at the helm, Shanahan didn’t think the 49ers got worse this offseason. They also did not spend any bigger in free agency that Leonard Floyd’s two-year, $20 million as a starting defensive end. They did not mortgage future draft picks by climbing up from the 31st overall spot, where they took wide receiver Ricky Pearsall. And, most notably, they did not trade wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk or Deebo Samuel in the face of a looming budget crisis.

General manager John Lynch noted, however, that his job has been anything but easy.

“I feel we’re always making really important decisions,” Lynch said. “That’s part of this job. It’s not easy. When a guy like Arik Armstead moves on, that’s a big move for our organization. When you trade for a Maliek Collins, that’s a big move. Every one of these draft picks, we take very seriously.”

To clarify, Armstead was released after nine seasons rather than accept a drastic pay cut, and, as a potential replacement, Collins was acquired from the Houston Texans in exchange for a seventh-round draft pick. That is as major as it got this offseason? Time will tell on the field.

“I like where our team is at,” Lynch added.

A year from now, that team could look much different, at least fiscally once quarterback Brock Purdy becomes eligible for a contract extension that could bump his annual pay from $1 million to 40 times that, or more.

“When you have players who’ve played a lot of good football these last three to five years, it becomes a problem because you have to pay guys, and it’s harder to keep carrying that,” Shanahan added. “We’re not ready to take two steps back so eventually we can take three steps forward.”.

Measured steps all offseason have blended complementary parts into a deeper team. After focusing on defensive upgrades earlier this spring, the 49ers used 5-of-8 draft picks on offensive players, some of whom could aid their special teams, too. Positions they ignored: offensive tackle, tight end, quarterback, and, surprisingly, the defensive line.

Pearsall was the splash pick of this draft class, and not merely as their first pick in the first round since the 2021 Trey Lance gamble. You see, Pearsall joins a wide receiver crew that, after weeks of trade speculation, still includes its top three incumbents in Aiyuk, Samuel and Jauan Jennings.

Lynch said after Friday’s rounds that the 49ers “didn’t entertain” trade overtures, adding that they’re “thrilled” with their receiving corps, which they further added to Saturday with the fourth-round addition of Arizona speedster Jacob Cowing, whose 5-foot-8 frame also is envisioned as a punt returner.

It’s Pearsall, more so, sketches out as the 49ers’ replacement for Ray-Ray McCloud, their No. 4 receiver and return specialist the previous two seasons who fled for the Atlanta Falcons.

Second-round pick Rendardo Green is a contact-seeking cornerback initially pegged to play inside against slot receivers, but he also has the versatility to do more, such as the role Logan Ryan played last season en route to his retirement.

As for the clamors to better protect Purdy, Lynch insisted he is “excited about our O-line group.” The 49ers traded up eight spots to take an offensive lineman, Dominick Puni, in the third round. He yielded no sacks as Kansas’ left tackle last year, but he will start his 49ers’ career as either an interior lineman or a five-position backup. Another interior offensive lineman arrived in the sixth round with USC’s Jarrett Kingston.

Saturday’s final rounds yielded five candidates to continue the 49ers’ trend of hidden gems (see: George Kittle, Dre Greenlaw, Talanoa Hufanga, and, of course, Purdy). Fourth-round selections brought in safety Malik Mustapha, running back Isaac Guerendo, and Cowing. Linebacker Tatum Bethune was relieved to get drafted, with six picks to spare in the seventh and final round.

The 49ers dealt two fifth-round picks to move up for Guerendo, whose 4.33-second 40-yard dash made him this draft’s fastest running back. In conducting background checks with his former coaches at Wisconsin, the 49ers learned he was “a perfect fit for our culture,” according to Tariq Ahmad, who was promoted this offseason with R.J. Gillen as co-directors of player personnel following Adam Peters’ hiring as Washington’s general manager.

Guerendo is excited to learn behind NFL rushing champion Christian McCaffrey. “Obviously he’s one of the greatest backs. I was just telling my family he’s going to get annoyed with me and how many questions I’ll ask him,” Guerendo said on a video conference call. “With the amount of production he has, how consistent he is, his recovery plan … being able to pick a great back’s brain is really important.”

The 49ers did not draft the sons of their alumni, as wide receivers Luke McCaffrey (Commanders, third round) and Brenden Rice (Chargers, seventh round) went elsewhere. But they reportedly signed Terrell Owens’ son, Terique, who was an undrafted free agent and auditioned at this month’s local pro day at Levi’s Stadium.

Running back Frank Gore Jr. also went undrafted and is reportedly joining the Buffalo Bills, where his father played in 2019 after becoming the 49ers’ all-time leading rusher from 2005-14; the elder Gore participated in the 49ers’ pre-draft meetings before returning to Florida to be with his son as the draft closed.

All I needed was a shot. Charged Up

— Brenden Rice (@BrendenRice) April 27, 2024

Common themes among those drafted by the 49ers:

— All transferred colleges, except Green, who played five years at Florida State. Lynch and his staff noted how transfers were once seen as red flags for leaving programs, but now, that widespread movement has enhanced playing careers and allowed better evaluations through different schemes and positions.

— A lot of players called the 49ers a “perfect fit,” such as the second-rounder Green, who said: “They fit me. They play like some savages. They play like some dogs. Everyone flies around to the ball, everybody makes plays on the ball, and everybody comes to hit.”

— All mixed a heavy dose of respect to the current 49ers at their positions, while expressing gratitude about joining a championship-contending franchise. Similar feelings came out of free agency as the 49ers brought in reinforcements and/or replacements.Related Articles

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That goes for defensive linemen Leonard Floyd, Yetur Gross-Matos, Jordan Elliott and Maliek Collins; linebackers De’Vondre Campbell and Zeke Taylor; cornerbacks Rock Ya-Sin, Isaac Yiadom, and Chase Lucas; wide receiver Trent Taylor; offensive tackle Brandon Parker; tight end Eric Saubert; and, last and hopefully least important to the 2024 cause, quarterback Josh Dobbs.

Reflecting on last year, Shanahan said the 49ers saw the need to add only one starter through the draft, leading to kicker Jake Moody’s selection in the third round. This year, it was more about increasing depth or bringing in competition to make incumbent starters better.

“I feel we’re in a position that, hopefully, I don’t think we did get worse,” Shanahan said. ” We tried to keep it to where we’re there, and then it’s about what happens when we start get to work on Monday, what happens in OTAs, what happens in training camp.”

A look at 49ers’ 2024 draft class:

First round, No. 31 overall: Ricky Pearsall Jr. , wide receiver, Florida, 6-1, 189

Credentials: Experienced with five seasons at Arizona State and Florida with 159 receptions for 2,240 yards, 14 touchdowns and 21 carries for 253 yards and five scores. With Arizona State, the former youth league quarterback completed all three passes for 111 yards.

How he fits: Joins Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel, and presumably Jauan Jennings as one of the top four receivers, with the likelihood of moving up the depth chart in 2025 when the salary cap crunch hits after Brock Purdy signs an extension. The hope is he can contribute as a punt return specialist immediately.

Pearsall says: This is a legendary program. I just appreciate the organization taking a chance on me, and I’m going to prove them right. I’m looking forward to getting the work in and showing everybody.

Quotable: “There’s not one play where you see him turn something down. He’s going over the middle and do everything he can to catch that ball and not worry about anything else. If he’s on the sidelines, he’s not taking the easy way out, he makes guys tackle him, he’s not looking for a place to fall.” — 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan.

Second round, No. 64 overall: Renardo Green, cornerback, Florida State, 6-0, 186

Credentials: Physical corner who plays bigger than his size with 148 career tackles, seven tackles for losses, and half a sack in his college career. A 13-game starter as a senior who led the Atlantic Coast Conference with 13 pass breakups. Had 14 PBUs overall, good for 14th in the nation.

How he fits: Physicality suggests Green compete to be the slot corner, with Deommodore Lenoir zeroing in as an outside corner opposite Charvarius Ward.

Green says: “I can personally play all three positions in the secondary, no matter if that’s at corner, nickel, or back at safety. I can do it all. Wherever the team needs me, that’s what I’m going to do.”

Quotable: We saw him go against two of those players at LSU, (wide receiver Malik) Nabers and wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. go in the first round. And it’s awesome when see guys go against the best college football has to offer. And you can tell he welcomes that type of challenge.” — 49ers general manager John Lynch

Renardo Green of Florida State will compete to play at cornerback for the 49ers in 2024. Wire photo

Third round, No. 86 overall: Dominick Puni, guard, Kansas, 6-5, 313

Credentials: A lot of college experience with 38 starts in 42 games for Central Missouri (2018-21) and Kansas (2022-23). Good athlete who played volleyball and competed in track and field in high school. He allowed zero sacks in 25 starts at left tackle for Kansas and showed he can play center and tackle.

How he fits: Puni will be used inside at guard initially, but the 49ers are open to him playing anywhere he can contribute. He could compete with Spencer Burford at right guard and be a candidate at left guard in 2025 when Aaron Banks hits free agency.

Puni says: “My thing is versatility. Wherever I can play, where I can help the team, that’s my ambition. I think the 49ers have a really fun offense to play in, so I’m really excited.”

Quotable: “His coaches rave about how he knows all five positions, but we think he’s got our best chance inside.” — Shanahan.

Fourth round, No. 124 overall: Malik Mustapha, safety, Wake Forest, 5-11, 206

Credentials: Richmond transfer was an All-Atlantic Coast Conference pick for the Demon Deacons in 2023.  Compact build, ability to hit and make tackles for losses suggests an in-the-box safety. Has modeled his game after Arizona safety Budda Baker. Selected with the pick 49ers received from Dallas for Trey Lance.

How he fits: Projected starters are Ji’Ayir Brown, a third-round pick a year ago, and Talanoa Hufanga, who is coming off ACL surgery. Depending on how Hufanga recovers, Mustapha could compete for playing time at strong safety. Regardless, Mustapha should be an instant special teams contributor..

Mustapha says: “I’m a downhill speed-tenacity ball player that just plays with a lot of fire. I’m able to line up pretty much anywhere and able to impact the game on all levels.”

Quotable: “I just love the way he plays the game. He plays our style. We talk a lot about running to the football and getting there with bad intentions and Malik embodies that.” — Lynch.

Fourth round, No. 129 overall: Isaac Guerendo, running back, Louisville, 6-0, 221 pounds

Credentials: Despite starting just once in 41 games at Wisconsin and his final season at Louisville, Guerendo averaged 6.0 yards per carry (231 carries, 1,392 yards, 17 touchdowns, 42 receptions for 385 yards). At Louisville, Guerendo had 810 yards on 132 carries and 11 touchdowns as a senior. He averaged 23.9 yards per kickoff return in his last season at Wisconsin and 19.2 at Louisville.

How he fits: He has an intriguing power/speed combo on kickoff returns and projects well as a one-cut runner in the 49ers’ outside zone run scheme. The 49ers have whiffed before on running backs such as Joe Williams (fourth round 2017), Trey Sermon (third round, 2021), and Ty Davis-Price (third round, 2022).

Guerendo says: “I was just telling my family (Christian McCaffrey) is probably going to get annoyed with me and all the questions I ask him because of the amount of production he has and how consistent he is. Being able to pick a great back’s brain is really important.”

Quotable: I like his speed. All our backs can run, but it’s nice to have one that can run a little bit faster. HIs running style is similar to Elijah’s (Mitchell).” — Shanahan

Jacob Cowing of Arizona strains to reach a pass against Cal at Memorial Stadium in a 2022 game. Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group

Fourth round, No. 135 overall: Jacob Cowing, wide receiver, Arizona, 5-8, 168

Credentials: Speedy wideout was productive at both UTEP and Arizona with 316 receptions for 4,477 yards and 33 touchdowns in 58 games with 52 starts. The last two seasons at Arizona had 175 catches for 1,882 yards and 20 touchdowns. Slight of build but didn’t miss a game due to injury in five years.

How he fits: Can assume the Ray-Ray McCloud role as a receiver and return specialist, particularly punts, if the 49ers want to keep first-round pick Pearsall out of harm’s way. Another explosive weapon that fits into Shanahan’s system which creates mismatches. Along with Pearsall, Cowing makes for a precarious existence for Danny Gray, who remained on 49ers fringe for two seasons.

Cowing says: “I can contribute on special teams, punt return game, kick return game. I have ability to make big plays down the field, score touchdowns, put points on that board. That’s something I can definitely bring to the team.”

Quotable: “We had a corner in here on (a draft) visit, he had played against Jacob Cowing. This corner said Jacob was the toughest guy he played against this year. Those things stick with you,” general manager John Lynch.

Sixth round, No. 215 overall: Jarrett Kingston, guard, Southern California, 6-4, 306

Credentials: All-State defensive lineman from Anderson High in Northern California spent five seasons at Washington State, starting under Mike Leach, before playing his senior year of eligibility at USC. Played six games at right guard and five at right tackle but projects as a guard.

How he fits: Kingston joins the crowd on the 49ers’ interior line, which includes starters Aaron Banks and Spencer Burford, swing reserve Jon Feliciano, Nick Zakelj, and Ben Bartch.

Kingston says: “I love the outside zone. I live running off the ball and using my athleticism and getting to the perimeter, and getting out in space. I didn’t do much earlier in my career, but this last year did a lot of outside zone.”

Quotable: “With a guy like Kingston, played really good football. You get enticed to transfer so I don’t blame him. SC probably paid him some good money to come down there. That used to be illegal but it’s not anymore. SC used to be really good at it. There is some value to it, you see them in different schemes, different positions.” — Lynch

Seventh round, No. 251 overall: Tatum Bethune, Florida State, linebacker, 5-11, 227

Credentials: Played three seasons at Central Florida and two at Florida State. Had 28 tackles for loss in 61 games with 33 starts in his career. Team captain who led the Seminoles in tackles. Had 14 career passes defensed with four interceptions.

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How he fits: Bethune is built like last year’s draft picks Jalen Graham and Dee Winters and injured incumbent starter Dre Greenlaw — a smallish linebacker who can run, make plays, and contribute on special teams.

Bethune says: “The guy who I actually watched this past season was (Dre) Greenlaw, the way he shows his passion on the field. The way he plays with passion and his physicality reminded me of myself.

Quotable: “It think it was Bethune who cracked up when we started talking to him. I think when he talked to Kyle ie just lost it. It’s a lot of waiting, it’s brutal. But it’s really cool to share this experience with their families all around.” — Lynch.

SAN JOSE — A year ago, San Jose State had a clear succession plan for when star quarterback Chevan Cordeiro eventually graduated.

Former SJSU head coach Brent Brennan brought in University of Oregon and Liberty High School quarterback Jay Butterfield from the transfer portal and recruited highly-touted Sacramento area high school QB Anthony Garcia to be SJSU’s future playmakers once Cordeiro left the program after the 2023 season. 

Since then, Brennan has left to be the head coach at the University of Arizona, Garcia has followed the long-time SJSU head coach, and Butterfield has fallen to fourth on the depth chart. 

Enter Saturday, and new SJSU head coach Ken Niumatalolo has made it clear there will be a quarterback competition for who will be under center for the Spartans next season. 

Two quarterbacks on the roster have caught his eye: Walker Eget and Emmett Brown. 

“Right now it’s neck-and-neck between Walker and Emmett right now,” Niumatalolo said. “Right now I’m looking for the guy who’s going to take care of the ball for us and also be the leader that commands the respect from both sides of the ball.”

Eget, a redshirt sophomore, was Cordeiro’s backup in 2022 and the third-string quarterback behind Butterfield last season. The Southern California product has thrown just one pass in his three years at SJSU but has impressed his teammates with his accuracy on throws. 

San Jose State quarterback Walker Eget #5 participates in the teams Spring football game at CEFCU Stadium, Saturday, April 27, 2024, in San Jose, Calif. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group) 

“He throws dots,” said SJSU cornerback Michael Dansby. “He’s going to be something to reckon with for sure.”

Eget started Saturday’s spring game, taking a majority of reps with the starting offense. He completed 7 of his 15 passes and threw his best ball when he found wide receiver Sebastian Macaluso on a go-route down the right sideline. 

“I thought I got to work on a lot of plays that I needed to,” Eget said. “A lot of those explosive plays that we need to just get reps on, it was good to work on things with guys who don’t get to get in as much. There was a lot of production where we needed it today.”

Brown, a transfer from Washington State, had an up-and-down performance Saturday.

He wowed the crowd with his arm when he completed a 60-yard touchdown pass down the left sideline to Cooper Hoch. 

San Jose State quarterback Emmett Brown #2 looks downfield for Cooper Hoch for a long touchdown pass during the Spring football game at CEFCU Stadium, Saturday, April 27, 2024, in San Jose, Calif. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group) 

But he also threw an ill-advised pick-6 when he attempted to complete a pass over the middle in triple coverage. 

The 5-foot-11 quarterback was a three-star recruit out of San Marcos High School and threw for 14 touchdowns and 1,147 yards as a senior in 2021. In two years at Washington State, he only attempted four passes and was the third on the depth chart last season. 

“The mentality coming from Washington State is the same in that we’re going to throw the ball,” Brown said. “Right now, it’s just about getting my keys down and learning my next read.”

While the two quarterbacks are side-by-side in the quarterback race, neither has viewed the battle for the starting job as a heated competition.

Eget and Brown have known each other since high school, working with the same quarterbacks coach, Danny Hernandez, during their offseason.

“It’s just been fun to compete with him,” Brown said. “Being a quarterback, you have to be able to build relationships. It’s a great group of QBs here, and I can’t really complain.”

Butterfield has fallen out of the running to be SJSU’s starting or backup quarterback. Redshirt sophomore Tyler Voss is currently ahead of the former four-star quarterback on SJSU’s depth chart.

While Niumatalolo acknowledged Butterfield has shown great character off the field, he admitted the once projected heir apparent to Cordeiro has regressed this spring. Butterfield garnered just two snaps and threw an incomplete pass in his only throwing attempt Saturday. 

“Jay has taken a step back,” Niumatalolo said. “He’s one of my favorite kids on the team, but everyone can’t get reps. As we narrowed it down, it’s been Walker and Emmett at the top with Tyler right behind them. Unfortunately, Butterfield has moved out of that race.”

Niumatalolo didn’t rule out the possibility of signing another quarterback from the transfer portal, as he said he still wants to keep his options open.  

San Jose State’s new head coach Ken Niumatalolo oversees the team’s Spring football game at CEFCU Stadium, Saturday, April 27, 2024, in San Jose, Calif. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)  Familiar face at running back

With SJSU losing record-breaking running back Kairee Robinson to graduation, the Spartans have turned to sophomore Jabari Bates to take over as the team’s starting tailback. 

Bates was used as a pass-catching back last season, but Niumatalolo said the 5-foot-8 speedster will be carrying a heavier load next fall. 

“I’ve been super impressed with Jabari,” Niumatalolo said. “He’s not the biggest kid, but he’s tough as can be and he’s probably had some of our longest runs during this spring season.”

SJSU also brought in Grambling State transfer Floyd Chalk IV to be the No. 2 running back in the offense. Chalk rushed for 696 yards and nine touchdowns for the Tigers last season. 

A tense moment

As calm as Niumatalolo is off the field, he showed some fire when he momentarily threw out defensive end Dylan Hampsten for tackling Brown in a no-contact scrimmage. 

Hampsten wrapped up Brown and threw him to the ground, prompting Niumatalolo to stop the game to scold the freshman. 

“Dylan’s a great young man and he’s going to be a really good player for us,” Niumatalolo said. “But there’s a reason the quarterbacks are in a black jersey, so don’t tackle him.”

Veteran returners lead new-look defense

While SJSU lost star pass rusher Tre Jones and starting linebacker Bryun Parham to the transfer portal, the Spartans retained most of its starting secondary. 

Dansby, Jay’Vion Cole, and DJ Harvey were the team’s starting trio at cornerback last season and will look to lead this year’s group with defensive coordinator Derrick Odum back in the fold as play-caller. 

“There’s a lot of experience coming back,” Dansby said. “Everyone can make plays. It’s going to be a fun year for the defensive backs.”

SJSU also returned defensive tackle Soane Toia and linebacker Jordan Cobbs, who are both expected to be key pieces on a young front seven. 

“With all the recent coaching changes, it’s big for us to know we’re coming back to the same defensive coordinator,” Cobbs said. 

San Jose State quarterback Walker Eget #5 participates in the teams Spring football game at CEFCU Stadium, Saturday, April 27, 2024, in San Jose, Calif. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)  San Jose State holds its Spring football game at CEFCU Stadium, Saturday, April 27, 2024, in San Jose, Calif., (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)  San Jose State quarterback Walker Eget #5 participates in the teams Spring football game at CEFCU Stadium, Saturday, April 27, 2024, in San Jose, Calif. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)  San Jose State’s new head coach Ken Niumatalolo gathers his team after the Spring football game at CEFCU Stadium, Saturday, April 27, 2024, in San Jose, Calif. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)  San Jose State quarterback Emmett Brown, center, participates in the team’s Spring football game at CEFCU Stadium, Saturday, April 27, 2024, in San Jose, Calif. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)  San Jose State quarterback Emmett Brown #2 participates in the teams Spring football game at CEFCU Stadium, Saturday, April 27, 2024, in San Jose, Calif. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group) 

Open Division Double elimination First round Cathedral Catholic 5, Westview 0 Torrey Pines 4, La Jolla 1 Second round Tuesday, 4 p.m. (3) Torrey Pines at (1) Cathedral Catholic (4) Westview at (2) La Jolla Third Round Thursday, 4 p.m.

SAN FRANCISCO — With one crack of the bat, Patrick Bailey made a metaphorical announcement: it’s time to forget about the second half of last season.

Bailey’s three-run, walk-off homer in the ninth inning on Friday night lifted the Giants over the Pittsburgh Pirates, 3-0, the culmination of a player who has quickly evolved into one of the most potent offensive forces in the game.

The numbers are jumping off the page. Throughout the season’s first month, Bailey leads the majors or is near the top of the majors in almost every batted ball category.

“It’s exciting,” he said before Saturday’s game. “I obviously want to start this way instead of the opposite. I’ve had plenty of years where I’ve struggled to hit .150 at this point. So I’m excited with where the adjustments have gotten me but I understand baseball is a tough game. It beats you up.”

The wounds from last year are still fresh.

He had a strong debut in his first 40 big league games, but as soon as the All-Star break ended, Bailey stopped hitting. In the second half, the rookie backstop posted a .514 OPS that ranked dead last out of 175 big leaguers with at least 200 plate appearances. He hit just .188 with two home runs while striking out 60 times in 203 PAs

“He got a little run down at the end, and the at-bats weren’t as good,” Giants manager Bob Melvin said.

After Bailey used the offseason to rebuild his swing, the results are paying early dividends.

“The swing is in a much better spot,” he said Saturday. “I’m using the ground more. I’ve had my highest exit velocities ever. I think the big thing for the higher walk rate is the lack of three-ball chase. And the decrease in the strikeouts come from the swing change, putting balls in play that I should, and not fouling them off or swinging and missing.”

Through the first month of the Giants’ season, Bailey has nearly doubled his walk rate from 6% to 11%, reduced his strikeout rate from 28% to 24%, and pummels the ball whenever he makes contact.

His sweet spot percentage, which ranks players based on a launch angle that most resembles a line drive, is nearly 60%, the best in MLB, while his average exit velocity of 94 mph ranks in the 96th percentile.

Now, baseball’s weakest hitter has become one of the most productive.

“When your swing is in a good spot, you have time to make decisions,” he said. “Whenever you feel like you have to start earlier to get to the heater, your swing decisions are worse because you’re starting the decision process earlier. Now I feel like I can start later, be on time and, in essence, I have more time to make the right decisions whether I’m chasing or not.”

His walk-off homer on Friday was his third long ball in 75 PAs this season. He hit all of seven homers in 353 PAs a year ago.

“If you’re a good hitter, it’s going to show up at some point in time,” Melvin said. “You saw flashes of it last year.”

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Entering Saturday, Bailey’s .880 OPS ranked 35th out of 223 players with at least 70 PAs. And it ranked sixth among catchers, though it’s a unique time in baseball right now with the number of catchers who are raking.

There haven’t been four qualified catchers to have at least an .875 OPS in a season since 1977, the heyday for offensive backstops when Johnny Bench, Gary Carter, Carlton Fisk and Ted Simmons were atop the leaderboards.

As of Saturday, Salvador Perez (1.004 OPS), William Contreras (1.000), Wilson Contreras (.989), Travis d’Arnaud (.980), Will Smith (.940) and Bailey (.880) ranked as MLB’s top catchers in OPS.

“I just show up every day and try to be the best player I can be,” Bailey said. “Whatever it looks like that day, that’s what I can control. That starts with preparation and when I go play, just have fun and let the preparation lead to confidence. And I hope confidence leads to results.”

Notes: Right-hander Alex Cobb had a cortisone shot in his ailing shoulder, Melvin said. The team hopes it will ease the pain for Cobb, who is tentatively scheduled to begin throwing again on Monday.

Thairo Estrada, who has been nursing a sore hamstring, returned to the lineup Saturday after missing two games.

Jorge Soler, the Giants’ $42-million designated hitter who is hitting just .219 with a .701 OPS to start the year, was moved down to No. 6 in the lineup. He’s been hitting mostly second, third and fourth this season. “Sometimes a guy needs a change of scenery,” Melvin said.

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Tyler Glasnow delivers six shutout innings before giving up a run and exiting the game because of cramping in the seventh inning of a 4-2 win over Toronto.

With college football players increasingly choosing to not leave school early because of NIL, the quality of players in the NFL draft is taking a hit.

Former LMU star Dominick Harris will address one of the Bruins' biggest offseason needs after shooting 44.8% from three-point range last season.

High school softball: Southern Section playoff pairings, division by division, including wild-card games.

The Rams had 10 picks in the 2024 NFL draft, picking five offensive players, four defenders and a kicker. They began by taking Florida State's Jared Verse.