Former Potter Susac starts MLB career 6-for-7 with Giants

Former Lincoln Potter and Woodcreek Little League all-star Daniel Susac is off to a fast start to his major-league career with the San Francisco Giants. The rookie is 6 for 7 with two RBIs, a triple and a run scored through his first two games, including a 3-for-4 performance Tuesday in a 6-0 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies. Susac opened his career by reaching base in all four plate appearances in his first start April 2 against the New York Mets, going 3 for 3 with a walk. He followed by collecting three more hits Tuesday. According to the Giants, Susac became the first Giants player in more than 50 years to begin his career with five hits in his first five at-bats. "Whenever I'm playing well, I attack the fastball well," Susac said during his postgame interview on NBC Sports Bay Area on Tuesday night. "Then if they give me a couple off-speed pitches, I'm able to stay back on them. Just seeing it well and trying to keep it going." Susac said his preparation began Monday, the day before Tuesday's game after learning he would be in the lineup. "I talked to our hitting coaches about how I think he's going to approach me and how I should go about my work," he said. "Just putting in a lot of reps. Then when it gets out in the game, you can slow down a little bit." That routine has been especially important while adjusting to a role that does not yet include everyday starts. Susac said the biggest key has been staying consistent with his work between games, including catching bullpens and maintaining the same approach at the plate. "The biggest thing for me this whole offseason, and now applying it to the season, is just consistency," he said. "Doing the same thing every day. It gets monotonous, but that's what you've got to do." Behind the plate, Susac has also started to build a connection with veteran left-hander Robbie Ray, whom he has caught in both appearances. "It's always fun when you get to catch a guy like Robbie, who knows what he's doing," Susac said. "It's really fun to watch a pitcher execute what he wants to do." A Roseville native, Susac is the first former Potter to reach the major leagues. The Giants wrapped up their series with the Phillies on Wednesday in San Francisco.