Giants Roster Finalized

My Thoughts
By: Brian Sanchez
April 4, 2012


Opening day is just around the corner, and today the Giants announced their opening day roster.  It is a bit shocking, but not because of the decisions made.  It is more because of what the Giants didn't do.  The Giants did not necessarily start a youth movement, but they did select youth over experience at some key back up spots.  Here are my thoughts:

• It is finally Brandon Belt time (left).  Bochy said that Huff is this teams Left Fielder.  End of discussion.  Belt is finally the Giants First Basemen and it will stay that way.  Pill is Belt's back up, not Huff, Huff is a LF now. 

• Nate Schierholtz gets shoved to being the 5th outfielder now because of Huff shifting out there.  He was already on the verge of losing his job to Gregor Blanco, so Nate will start the season as the left handed bat off the bench with Pill being the right handed hitter off the bench.
• Hector Sanchez (right) will be Buster Posey's back up at Catcher.  Most people thought it would come down to the automatic outs of Eli Whiteside and Chris Stewart battling for the back up role even though Hector was tearing the cover off of the ball in spring.  This was a big youth move for the Giants and it can give fans hope that they are shifting towards trusting their prospects. (especially the ones who can hit)

• Chris Stewart has been traded to the New York Yankees for relief pitcher George Kontos.  Not much to say here other than we will never have to watch another Chris Stewart at bat!  WooHoo!
• In a not very surprising move the Giants purchased the contract of Gregor Blanco (left).  He's impressed this spring with his ability to get on base and steal bags while he is there.  Angel Pagan has struggled in spring training, and should his struggles extend long in to the regular season Blanco will be there ready to take his job.  

• As mentioned before, Brett Pill (right) made the team.  He will be the right handed thunder off the bench and platoon at first with Belt.  The reports have said his first start will come in the Rockies series, most likely against old man Moyer.
• Dan Otero made the team out of camp.  The young kid had a stand out spring, and this was another move that showed the Giants will trust their own players; especially if they do well in camp.  Otero will likely be sent back to the minors when Ryan Vogelsong comes off of the DL.
• Both Ryan Theriot and Emmanuel Burriss are on the roster.  They will be competing to remain on the team when Freddy Sanchez comes off of the DL.  You would have to think whoever is playing worse will be cut as Burriss has no more minor league options left.
• Clay Hensley is another new name in the bullpen.  He makes the team mostly because the Giants feel they need 7 relievers and they haven't said why but I think we all know it's because of Zito.

Now Let's take a look at my opening day Line-up.  You will not see this one used friday:

LF Gregor Blanco

CF Angel Pagan

RF Melky Cabrera

C Buster Posey

3B Pablo Sandoval

1B Brandon Belt

SS Brandon Crawford 

2B Manny Burriss

P Tim Lincecum

Here is the line up I think Bochy will trot out there on Friday:

CF Angel Pagan

RF Melky Cabrera

3B Pablo Sandoval

C Buster Posey

LF Aubrey Huff

1B Brandon Belt

SS Brandon Crawford

2B Ryan Theriot

P Tim Lincecum

Don't forget to tune in to The Sports Report Tuesdays from 6-8 p.m. only on radio.dominican.edu.  You can also follow me on Twitter @SportsReportDU and as always you should like The Sports Report FaceBook page for updates on the show.  

SF Giants News and Notes

By: Brian Sanchez
Monday February 20th

Pitchers and catchers have reported.  Jeremy Lin and Tim Tebow are great and all, but thank goodness BASEBALL IS BACK!  The main focus on this blog will be on the team that is my favorite, as well as the favorite of many of my listeners and followers; The San Francisco Giants.  The Giants made some decent moves over the off season but the main focus will be on the players returning from injuries.  Let's get to the good stuff.

Buster Posey
Getting him back in the line-up is the same as the Giants making a huge acquisition in the offseason.  When he showed up in 2010 his bat and glove brought the city a world series ring.  When he was taken out (by he who shall not be named because it was never a clean play and nobody will ever be able to convince me otherwise) last year the team slipped into mediocracy with dismal catching and a flaccid offense.  Most of the early reports on him have been good.  New CSN insider Andy Baggarly (formerly of the SJ Mercury, great pick up by CSN) reported that Posey has been catching bullpens, mainly those of Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain.  Yesterday he also caught from a pitching machine and sprung up out of the crouch to simulate a throw down to second.  Posey said his ankle felt fine this morning.  He took batting practice to thunderous applause, and even knocked the third pitch he saw out of the park.  Posey took BP today without any protection on his left ankle.  He should be good to go and playing by the second week of games.  And as far as opening day, neither Buster nor skipper Bruce Bochy see why he wouldn't be ready.

Freddy Sanchez
Far less news about Freddy.  He is coming off a shoulder surgery and missed nearly all of last year.  He is one of the Giants top hitters and certainly their smartest.  He has reported to camp early and should be playing alongside Buster in the second week of games.  His opening day is much more questionable than Buster's, hence the Ryan Theriot signing.  Freddy is expected to be in the line-up opening day though.

Brian Wilson
The league's craziest, most out of control closer is in camp and healthy.  He is throwing off the mound every third day coming off of his oblique and elbow injuries last year.  He said last year he was constantly hurt whether it was the elbow, oblique, or both.  He is completely healthy now and like Freddy and Buster will probably begin playing in the second week of Spring Training games.







Ryan Vogelsong
Vogelsong is hopefully getting all of his issues out early this season.  Yesterday he was diagnosed with a strained back and was said to be out for ten days.  Today he came down with the flu and was sent home.  The projected No. 4 starter for the Giants is expected back in a few weeks and should be 100% by opening day.

Charlie Culberson
Culberson (Below) one of the top hitting prospects the Giants have also plays in the middle infield.  This was going to be a spring where he put himself on the map.  Unfortunately he dropped a weight on his fingertip this morning and is out indefinitely.  Injuries are a theme for the Giants this season.

Those are the key updates on the Giants for today.  Be sure to tune in to The Sports Report on Tuesdays from 6-8 p.m. on radio.dominican.edu