Former SJ Giants Receive Early Spring Playing Time

San Francisco's spring training schedule began last Friday with several former San Jose Giants receiving early playing time. Most of the established big leaguers are only playing the first handful of innings during these early spring exhibitions giving the minor leaguers in camp an opportunity to shine. Through the first three games of San Francisco's spring slate, a bevy of former San Jose Giants, including many who played leading roles on the 2009 and 2010 California League championships teams, are seeing early action on the field.

One of the highlights involving former San Jose Giants during the opening weekend of games was on Saturday afternoon when Clayton Tanner impressed in relief. Facing the Los Angeles Dodgers, the left-hander worked two scoreless innings out of the bullpen and allowed just one hit with no walks and no strikeouts. Tanner was placed on the 40-man roster last offseason after a solid year in the starting rotation with the Double-A Richmond Flying Squirrels. A San Jose Giant in 2008 and 2009, Tanner will likely begin this season in Triple-A Fresno.

Another highlight of Saturday's contest versus the Dodgers was the sheer number of former San Jose Giants that got into the game. In fact, during the ninth inning, all nine players in the field were at one point San Jose players. Jackson Williams (2008 in SJ) was catching while the infield consisted of first baseman Brandon Belt (2010), second baseman Charlie Culberson (2010), third baseman Conor Gillaspie (2010) and shortstop Brandon Crawford (2009-2010). Three speedsters roamed the outfield with Juan Perez (2010) in left, Darren Ford (2008-2009) in center and Francisco Peguero (2009-2010) in right. Wilmin Rodriguez (2008-2010) pitched the ninth inning and did not allow a run to preserve an 8-3 San Francisco victory.

On Sunday, Emmanuel Burriss received the start at second base as he attempts to make the big league roster out of spring training. Burriss finished 1-for-3 with a single and an RBI in the 4-3 loss to the Diamondbacks.

Jose Casilla, who joined San Jose for the playoffs last September after a spectacular regular season with the Low-A Augusta GreenJackets, had a difficult outing in relief on Sunday. Casilla entered the game in the top of the eighth with the Giants leading 3-0, but promptly allowed three runs (all earned) on two hits with a walk in just 1/3 of an inning. Casilla allowed a solo homer to Arizona's Konrad Schmidt and was then charged with a pair of runs after he exited the contest. Casilla is the younger brother of current San Francisco reliever Santiago (who also pitched in Sunday's game). Jose may return to the California League in 2011 where he would be one of San Jose's top relievers.

Other notes from Sunday included Nick Noonan seeing action at third base late in the game. Noonan played exclusively second base for San Jose in 2009 and for Richmond in 2010, but may be shifting to the hot corner this year. Noonan batted just .237 for the Flying Squirrels last season, so a promotion to Fresno seems unlikely. Culberson should advance to play second for Richmond, where he may join Noonan on the infield. Culberson finished Sunday's game at second base.

In Friday's spring opener, the game ended with the 2009 Championship Series outfield trio of Thomas Neal (LF), Ford (CF) and Peguero (RF) in the game. Additionally, 2010 first rounder Gary Brown pinch-ran in the sixth inning and promptly stole second base. Brown is a strong candidate to open the 2011 campaign as San Jose's starting center fielder. Friday's game has been Brown's only action of the spring thus far. He was 0-for-1.

Among the former SJ Giants who are established big leaguers, Pablo Sandoval is off to a strong start this spring. Sandoval homered on Saturday and Sunday and has five RBI's in his first three games. Buster Posey has also looked sharp in early action with four hits, including a pair of doubles, in his first six at-bats.