The hot corner for the Giants seems set in stone with second year hit master Pablo Sandoval manning the leather. Unfortunately, this might be one of the biggest concerns for the Giants as well.
Sandoval is a hitter. He swings at and seems to hit almost everything thrown his way. This is a bat that must get into the lineup, no matter what. However, the only position that is currently open is that of third base. No matter, as Sandoval seems to have taken to the position (as he has to any he’s been asked to play) very well. However, third base requires mobility and Sandoval isn’t the world’s most spry of characters. If this proves problematic, he’ll probably move across the diamond to first base.
Should Sandoval need to move, there are several posibilities that the Giants could explore at third base.
The first and most obvious are either Rich Aurilia or Juan Uribe, two veterans picked up in the offseason. Either could give solid, if not horribly spectacular, play at the corner.
Another possibility is rule 5 pickup Jesus Guzman who, this last winter, tore up the Venezuelan league, setting a mark for RBI and being named Overall Offensive Performer of the year for that league. He has some pop in his stick and is a natural third baseman. He’s one to keep in mind, should Sandoval not be able to hold up.
Ryan Rohlinger is another option for the Giants. However, he hit atrocious in 21 major league games in 2008. This is an option that perhaps shouldn’t be explored.
The final alternative is Conor Gillaspie, the eventual heir apparent at third base. While this might pique the interest of some orange and black faithful, the kid isn’t yet shaving. He has less than 30 games at a professional level and I have no idea why he was with the big league club late last year. Gillaspie needs minor league seasoning. The last thing he needs is to be tossed into the fire at this early point in his career.
While the Giants have several alternatives, they’d be best suited if Pablo Sandoval plays adequately at the hot corner in 2009. Of course, it could be worse. They might still have Jose Castillo at third. *shudder* Learn the position, Pablo. Please.
February 26th, 2009 at 11:31 am
Conor Gillaspie was with the big league club late last year because he had negotiated that into his contract when he signed after the draft. That fact only came out after the season. At the time, Brian Sabean had stated Gillaspie was up because 3b was considered a position of need and they needed to see what they had in Gillaspie. It was evident early on that the team had little intention of actually giving him much playing time and it all made sense once we knew his being in the Bigs was only to fulfill a contractual obligation. To me he profiles more as a Bill Mueller type of 3b, not a prototypical power hitting corner infielder. But, let’s see what he does in his first full professional season before we anoint him as the heir apparent.