Recent SJ Giants Making Most Of Spring Opportunity
Most of the players in big league camp from the record-setting '09 Giants club are receiving sparse action on the field during games. For players such as Thomas Neal, Roger Kieschnick, Darren Ford and Nick Noonan, it's their first taste of major league spring training and their stay will likely be brief before joining their minor league teammates. However, the experience should prove to be extremely valuable, and in some cases, a few of these players have made an impact.
Last Saturday in a split-squad game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, shortstop Brandon Crawford came off the bench and smacked an opposite field two-run homer. Crawford is 2-for-8 in early spring action, also producing a single in addition to his home run. The Bay Area native is expected to begin the season in Double-A Richmond or Triple-A Fresno and is considered one of the top position player prospects in the organization. With only one year remaining on Edgar Renteria's contract, the shortstop position in San Francisco figures to be up for grabs after 2010 and continued success from Crawford this spring, and more importantly, a big season in the minor leagues, would go a long way toward increasing his chances of making an impact in "The Show" sooner rather than later.
Kieschnick has come off the bench in a pair of early spring contests and the '09 California League All-Star has made the most of his opportunity. On Monday against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Kieschnick threw out the potential go-ahead run at the plate from his right field position in the top of the 10th inning to preserve a 2-2 tie. He then led off the bottom of the frame with a single, which led to pinch-runner Francisco Peguero scoring the winning run. Overall, Kieschnick is 1-for-2 with a walk and a stolen base in limited action.
Ford has played in five games and is 1-for-4 with a run scored while Noonan has collected one single in his first five at-bats. Neal (0-for-3), Conor Gillaspie (0-for-3), Peguero (0-for-7) and Johnny Monell (0-for-1) are each still looking for their first hits of the exhibition season. Wendell Fairley, a former first round draft pick who is a candidate to open the season as San Jose's starting left fielder, came off the bench last Saturday versus the Brewers and delivered a double.
The odds are much higher that various players from the 2008 San Jose team will spend more time in big league camp this month with the hope of actually making the club. Kevin Pucetas, the California League Pitcher of the Year two seasons ago and a solid performer in Fresno's starting rotation for most of last year, impressed in his spring debut. The right-hander garnered the start on the mound in a split-squad game against Milwaukee last Saturday and fired three scoreless innings with just one hit allowed, no walks and one strikeout. Pucetas is most likely headed back to Fresno to start the upcoming season, but continued strong efforts could certainly put him into serious discussions for the open #5 spot in San Francisco's starting rotation.
Henry Sosa also has impressed in early spring outings. Sosa, a hard-throwing right-hander who has struggled to stay healthy in recent years, has pitched in two games out of the bullpen and has not allowed a run over 2 2/3 innings. Last season, Sosa logged a 6-0 record and a 2.36 ERA in 14 starts with Double-A Connecticut, but didn't pitch after June 30 due to injury. Sosa is an extreme longshot to make the big league club out of spring training, but as a member of the 40-man roster already, he could definitely put himself in position to help the San Francisco staff at some point in 2010 if he maintains these strong efforts and stays healthy.
Also of note, Matt Downs is off to a good start at the plate. Downs' five hits are tied for the team lead as the versatile infielder is 5-for-11 with a double and an RBI. The former San Jose Most Valuable Player has seen action at first base, second base and third base this spring as he attempts to make the club as a utility man.
Fellow 2008 San Jose Giants hitters Ryan Rohlinger (1-for-12) and Brett Pill (1-for-11) have struggled in early game action although Rohlinger did come through with a game-winning single in the 10th inning of Monday's affair versus the Dodgers.
Meanwhile, Buster Posey enjoyed a breakout game at the plate on Tuesday against the Chicago White Sox as the #1 prospect finished 2-for-4 and belted his first home run of the spring. Overall, Posey has picked up three hits in 11 at-bats (.273) and has even seen some time at first base.
As a team, the Giants are off to a 6-1 start in spring training exhibitions.