Giants Slam Cubs 8-6

Rohlinger cranks a grand slam
Martinez-Esteve also homers, but Sanchez struggles

Chris Haft - MLB.com

Giants at the plate: Eddy Martinez-Esteve hit a leadoff homer in the seventh to tie the game, and Ryan Rohlinger hit a grand slam in the eighth off Les Walrond. The Giants took a 1-0 lead in the first when Eugenio Velez reached on an error by pitcher Carlos Zambrano, stole second, advanced on a wild pitch, and scored on a RBI single by Brett Harper. Harper added a sacrifice fly in the third.

Cubs at the plate: Mike Fontenot, who hit a three-run homer and a triple on Thursday, hit an RBI double in the first. Alex Cintron had a pair of RBI singles. Kosuke Fukudome walked twice, scored two runs, and flied out in the fifth. Casey McGehee hit a tiebreaking two-out RBI single in the seventh and a RBI double in the ninth.

Giants on the mound: Starter Jonathan Sanchez faced eight batters in one inning, and gave up three runs on three hits and two walks. Keichi Yabu walked two in two hitless innings of relief.

Cubs on the mound: Zambrano, the Cubs' Opening Day starter, gave up one run, unearned, on two hits over two innings and struck out two. Rich Hill gave up one run on three hits and struck out three over two innings.

Cactus League records: Giants 1-1; Cubs 1-1.

Up next: Left-hander Barry Zito will make his first spring start Saturday for the Giants as they play host to his former team, the Oakland Athletics. The Cubs travel to Tempe, Ariz., to face the Angels, and Jason Marquis is scheduled to start against Jered Weaver.

Minor League Report: Adam Cowart

Right-hander's deceptive delivery gets best of Ortmeier

Chris Haft - MLB.com
Adam Cowart's a little different. That's just fine with the Giants.

Cowart isn't in Major League camp, but he received a taste of it Wednesday by pitching a shutout inning in an intrasquad game. He ended his outing by striking out Dan Ortmeier, the Giants' projected Opening Day first baseman.

Ortmeier probably hasn't seen too many pitchers such as Cowart. Neither has anybody else. The right-hander pitches from the stretch position with a wide-legged stance and barely moves his front (left) foot as he begins his motion. Moreover, Cowart throws from a sidearm angle.

"He's deceptive because of his delivery, and his arm angle creates good movement on the ball," director of player personnel Bobby Evans said. Cowart followed a spectacular professional debut in 2006 with short-season Salem-Keizer (10-1, 1.08 ERA) by posting a 14-7 mark with a 2.39 ERA for low-Class A Augusta. He finished last year by winning two of three postseason decisions and recording a 1.62 ERA for California League champion San Jose -- with whom he'll probably begin this season.

At 24, Cowart is past the stage where he can be considered a top prospect, despite his impressive statistics. Although he possesses excellent control of his fastball, he lacks overpowering velocity. Nevertheless, pitchers with his command and an unusual motion often reach the Majors as relievers, which could be his future.

Following an example: Emmanuel Burriss, one of the Giants' top infield prospects, was inspired by one of the game's best: Second baseman Roberto Alomar, a career .300 hitter, 12-time All-Star and 10-time Gold Glove winner. Watching Alomar at his peak, when he hit .480 in the 1993 World Series, Burriss, then 8 years old, made a firm decision. "That's when I decided I wanted to be a Major League ballplayer," Burriss said. A non-roster invitee to Spring Training, Burriss now shares a clubhouse with another of his favorites, shortstop Omar Vizquel, who teamed with Alomar from 1999-2001 in Cleveland. "When they played together, I was in heaven," Burriss said.

Getting attention Non-roster first baseman Brett Harper is a long shot to make the Opening Day roster, but he has made an impression. Giants manager Bruce Bochy compared Harper to Ryan Klesko, citing the all-or-nothing left-handed swing both demonstrate. The 26-year-old Harper, who has not played above Class AA in seven Minor League seasons, went 2-for-3 with an RBI double in the Giants' 12-6 loss to the Chicago Cubs in Thursday's Cactus League opener.

Keep an eye on: It's said that switch-hitting catchers have the shortest path to the Majors. If that's the case, Pablo Sandoval shouldn't be too far off from San Francisco. The 21-year-old rose to Class A San Jose last year and hit .287 with 11 homers after homering seven times in four previous professional seasons. Sandoval divided his time almost equally between catching and playing first base last year, but he has focused on working behind the plate this spring.

They're No. 1: Last year's top pick, right-hander Madison Bumgarner, has reported to Minor League camp. The 18-year-old, selected 10th overall out of South Caldwell (N.C.) High School, figures to begin the season at low-Class A Augusta.

Class of '07: Second baseman Nick Noonan and shortstop Charlie Culberson, also 2007 draftees, excelled defensively during an intrasquad game Thursday that concluded the Giants' Minor League minicamp. Regular full-squad workouts opened Friday.

What they're saying: "It makes you work harder and shows you how things can be." -- Burriss, on the thrill of his first Major League camp.

Mariners Dump Giants 5-3

Lincecum works 2 2/3 shutout innings
Aurilia goes 2-for-2; Denker and Frandsen deliver RBI hits

Chris Haft - MLB.com

Mariners at the plate: Mike Morse's two-run single off Randy Messenger erased a 3-2 deficit in the eighth inning. Charlton Jimerson's bunt single stimulated a two-run sixth inning.

Giants at the plate: Travis Denker and Kevin Frandsen rapped RBI singles in a three-run second inning, sandwiching Rajai Davis' sacrifice fly. Rich Aurilia, recovered from a strained right hamstring, went 2-for-2.

Mariners on the mound: Making his Mariners debut, starter Erik Bedard yielded three runs and four hits in two innings. Left-hander Ryan Rowland-Smith contributed a pair of scoreless innings.

Giants on the mound: Starter Tim Lincecum looked sharp in 2 2/3 shutout innings, allowing two hits while walking one and striking out one. Left-hander Pat Misch struck out three in two scoreless innings.

Cactus League records: Mariners 1-0; Giants 0-2.

Up next: Felix Hernandez will lead Seattle's procession of pitchers Saturday against San Diego. The Giants will confront cross-bay rival Oakland, with left-hander Barry Zito facing his former teammates.

Rowand wants Giants to deal for Crede

Joe Cowley - Chicageo Sun-Times

Two weeks into spring training, Aaron Rowand still is trying to add ''general manager'' to his resume.

Speaking with a Sun-Times reporter Thursday, the former White Sox outfielder and South Side cult hero again petitioned for his new team, the San Francisco Giants, to acquire Sox third baseman Joe Crede.

''Joe's a great guy and a great baseball player and a great friend, so ... would I like to have him on this team? Of course,'' Rowand said before a Cactus League game against the Cubs. ''I'm definitely biased, not only friendship-wise, but as a player, too, because I think the world of him.''

Crede was the subject of trade talks this offseason because the Sox think they have a star-in-waiting in Josh Fields and because Crede will be a free agent after the season with no contract extension in sight.

The holdup in moving him was season-ending back surgery last June. But through the early days of camp, Crede has shown no signs of a setback in his recovery.

Now it's just a matter of the Sox receiving what they think is fair value in return.

see what happens,'' Rowand said. ''Nothing's ever for sure in this game. A lot of weird things happen. Things don't happen that are supposed to happen. For now, I'm sure Joe's going about his business and thinking about being with the Chicago White Sox, just like I'm doing here.''

Rowand spoke with Giants officials about Crede when they inquired about him but hasn't heard if they are close to pulling the trigger.

''They asked me what kind of guy he was, and I gave them an honest answer,'' Rowand said. ''But I'm not in management. I have no idea. I don't sit in on those meetings.''

Giants lose Cactus Opener 12-6

CUBS 12, GIANTS 6 at Scottsdale, Ariz. Thursday, Feb. 28

Chris Haft - MLB.com
Cubs at the plate: Ryan Theriot singled and scored in each of the first three innings. Mike Fontenot added a three-run homer in a five-run third inning, Felix Pie homered leading off the fourth and Kosuke Fukudome was hit by a pitch, walked and singled in three plate appearances in his Cubs debut.

Giants at the plate: Randy Winn homered in his first at-bat, drilling a two-out drive to right field in the first inning. Eugenio Velez and Fred Lewis lashed RBI triples in the sixth and eighth, respectively.

Cubs on the mound: Winn's homer was the only significant lapse by starter Ryan Dempster in two innings. Sean Gallagher struck out two in two innings and allowed a run.

Giants on the mound: Starter Noah Lowry plainly lacked control, walking three, hitting a batter and flinging two pitches to the backstop in 1 1/3 innings. No. 5 starting candidate Kevin Correia allowed five runs and seven hits in his lone inning, but Jack Taschner pitched two perfect innings.

Cactus League records: Cubs 1-0; Giants 0-1.

Up next: The Cubs face a split squad of Giants again on Friday, this time at Mesa's HoHoKam Park. Cubs ace Carlos Zambrano will oppose Giants left-hander Jonathan Sanchez. The other half of Giants will stay at home to face Erik Bedard and the Seattle Mariners. Tim Lincecum will start for San Francisco.

Righetti brings the heat

Giants crank up intensity with 27-out drills on fundamentals

Chris Haft - MLB.com

An unsuspecting visitor to Scottsdale Stadium on Tuesday morning might have thought Dave Righetti was launching a comeback.

There was the Giants pitching coach, looking half his age (49) as he blew fastballs past hitters. Granted, Righetti threw from behind a screen about 40 feet from home plate, but the sight still conjured memories of his Major League career in which he amassed 252 saves and fired a no-hitter.

"I was trying to make it more realistic than a workout," said Righetti, who made Aaron Rowand his prize victim. Rowand struck out swinging and was one strike away from fanning again when he lifted a fly to shallow right field.

"I hope guys don't throw like that during the season. I'll hit a buck-20," Rowand said.

Righetti enlivened an activity known as the 27-out drill, which tests the abilities of players to respond to game situations. Two squads of Giants earned points for each fundamental executed properly, such as hitting the cutoff man, throwing to the correct base or advancing a runner.

Manager Bruce Bochy said that this drill shattered the monotony of Spring Training, which will end with Thursday's Cactus League opener against the Chicago Cubs.

"Things get a little routine and mundane to them," Bochy said. "It makes them concentrate and raises the intensity."

That's for sure. Right-hander Tyler Walker stood in front of the third-base dugout and greeted members of his squad with fist-bumps as they entered the dugout. Randy Winn slammed down his bat after lifting a foul fly to left field instead of putting the ball in play. Left fielder John Bowker, striving to raise his profile, made a neat sliding catch.

Special instructor Shawon Dunston shared the pitching duties with Righetti and threw straighter but just as hard.

"He was bringing some cheese," Bochy said.

The Giants looked good but not great at performing the fundamentals. Catcher Guillermo Rodriguez drew raves for hitting a grounder to the right side with runners on second and third and nobody out. Barry Zito deftly poked a bunt past charging third baseman Scott McClain. But fellow pitchers Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, Jonathan Sanchez and Noah Lowry blew chances to bunt or advance runners.

"I was pleased with the effort," Bochy said. "There are some things we'll have to work on, but overall, the guys did a good job."

As for Righetti, Bochy jokingly said, "He definitely helped his chances [to make the team] with the stuff he was throwing."

Short hops: If a poignant moment were possible during the 27-out drill, it occurred when Righetti faced Kevin Frandsen, his fellow San Jose native. Their families have been close since Righetti was a youth. When Frandsen reached the Majors in 2006, Righetti gave the rookie his jersey No. 19 in honor of Frandsen's deceased brother. Frandsen emerged with an edge in this confrontation: Righetti got two strikes on him before he lifted a sacrifice fly to right field. ...

Bengie Molina (strained left quadriceps) wants to resume catching by early next week, but Bochy is already anxious about the health of his projected cleanup hitter, whose activity has been limited since last Thursday. "I actually hoped he'd be ready a little sooner," Bochy said.

Lansford's presence has Giants hitters giddy

Carney Lansford 'knows his stuff'

Andrew Baggarly - MercuryNews

A hitting coach is supposed to study his players' swings. For years, Kevin Frandsen had it the other way around.

Frandsen spent countless afternoons playing whiffle ball at Capitola State Beach, poking his head over his shoulder, opening his stance, choking up on the bat and furiously shaking it just like Carney Lansford did.

"My brother was older - he always got to pick first and he took the Giants," Frandsen said of D.J., who died in 2004 after a lifelong battle with cancer. "That meant I had to be the A's, and Carney was my favorite because he was easy to do."

Frandsen, a San Jose native, had no way of knowing that years later he'd be in the major leagues and Lansford, a Wilcox High alumnus, would be his hitting coach.

"I was a Giants fan, but I saw a lot of A's games growing up too, and the guy just raked all the time," Frandsen said. "I was so excited when he came here. I knew his mentality as far as being accountable. And obviously, he knows his stuff. He can back it up with a batting title."

Frandsen knew about Lansford's coaching style because they briefly worked together at Hardtke World of Baseball in Campbell. Lansford would assist there from time to time while his sons were younger.

So Frandsen already knows Lansford will have an impact as the Giants seek to address their situational hitting - a major area of failure for last year's team. For now, Lansford hasn't made many suggestions.

He is still watching, listening and learning each hitter's tendencies.

"What I really want to do is just keep them on top of their game," Lansford said. "With most of these guys, no major changes need to be made, especially with the guys who have a chance to be on this team. The only thing I'd like to do is help the veteran guys who struggled last year, Omar (Vizquel), (Rich) Aurilia and (Ray) Durham: straighten them out and get them on track.

"I sat down with Richie and Durham, talked to them about what they think went wrong. Ray just got in bad habits last year. We get him back on track, he should be much better. I'd like to talk to Omar, but right now he's battling a little knee problem, so I want him to get past that first."

Several players in camp, both young and old, have noted that they appreciate Lansford's listen-and-learn approach. Too many hitting coaches teach one theory or style, and try to make everyone adapt to it.

"Everybody starts a little different, but the goal is to end up in the same hitting spot," outfielder Aaron Rowand said. "There's not just one mold."

Said Frandsen: "He works with what you have. He's not trying to change your stance, or make you hit exactly the way he did."

If that was Lansford's plan, it would be obvious by now. The whole camp would be shaking.

"You know, I didn't even know I did it," he said, of his oft-imitated hitting style. "You're thinking so much on the pitch and the pitcher. It's just what I naturally did.

"No, you won't see the guys doing that. That's not something you teach to anybody."

• For at least one swing, all was right with Durham. He crushed a home run onto the berm in left field against left-hander Jonathan Sanchez, who otherwise has been one of the sharpest pitchers in camp.

Durham initially denied he took Sanchez deep, but then fessed up - and lost any veil of modesty.

"Yeah, it cleared the trees way out there, too," he said.

• Bengie Molina (strained left quadriceps) took batting practice and hopes to resume catching in a day or two.

• Manager Bruce Bochy returned to San Diego to take care of personal business. He is expected to return in time to oversee today's workouts.

• Former Atlanta Braves right-hander Kevin Gryboski is participating in the Giants' minor league mini-camp. Gryboski has spent the past two years trying to come back from a shoulder injury.

---

Vizquel injures knee, out 4-6 weeks

Frandsen to assume temporary duties at shortstop

Chris Haft - MLB.com

Shortstop Omar Vizquel is expected to miss four to six weeks with a torn medial meniscus in his left knee, jeopardizing his availability for Opening Day and causing a ripple effect throughout the rest of the Giants' infield.

Vizquel left camp Tuesday afternoon to return to San Francisco and will undergo arthroscopic surgery Wednesday afternoon to have the torn portion removed. Team orthopedist Dr. Ken Akizuki will perform the surgery, with head athletic trainer Dave Groeschner on hand to supervise.

Groeschner told a club spokesman that the Giants hope Vizquel can return by the first week of the regular season, "but the knee will tell us that."

Manager Bruce Bochy said that Kevin Frandsen will become the Giants' primary shortstop in Vizquel's absence. This interrupts the active competition between Frandsen and Ray Durham for the starting second-base job, although both will continue to be evaluated to determine who remains in the lineup when Vizquel returns. Rich Aurilia, projected to be the top utility infielder, will concentrate on playing third base.

Vizquel's injury jarred a camp that had remained placid without left fielder Barry Bonds' onerous presence. It also challenged the Giants' intention to rely heavily on defense, at least at the season's outset. Vizquel, an 11-time Gold Glove winner, was central to that plan.

"We hope Omar gets back as soon as possible because we know what he brings to this team and this organization," Frandsen said. "All of us have the deepest respect for him, with the way he plays and the way he acts."

Vizquel initially reported knee trouble last Thursday, when he was held out of conditioning drills as a precautionary measure for what was described as inflammation. He declared that the ailment was "no issue," although he was grim-faced as he said so.

Since then, Vizquel abstained from heavy running as he participated in workouts. The swelling around the knee didn't subside and a magnetic resonance imaging examination confirmed the meniscal tear, leading Vizquel and the Giants' medical staff to opt for surgery rather than treatment.

"My knee was feeling good," Vizquel told a club spokesman. "I wanted to give it a [test] in order to make a decision. It didn't work. I felt a little pop when I was running. That's what I wanted to see, if I could sustain the pain."

Vizquel, who turns 41 on April 24, has endured scattered episodes of knee trouble during his 19-year Major League career. He sprained ligaments in his left knee in 1990 and 1992 and needed two right knee surgeries in 2003. He has averaged 150 games per year since then.

"You've got to think any time a guy has played that long, some wear and tear is going to pop up at some point," Aurilia said.

Vizquel is coming off a season in which he maintained his defensive excellence but batted .246, a 49-point drop from 2006. Needing his glove and believing that he could rebound offensively, the Giants signed him last November to a contract that pays him $5 million this year and carries a $5.2 million option for 2009 with a $300,000 buyout. That year becomes guaranteed if Vizquel plays in 140 games this year -- which no longer seems assured.

Nevertheless, Bochy seemed confident that the Giants would have an able-bodied Vizquel for most of the season.

"When he comes back, he's going to be 100 percent," Bochy said. "When he rehabs it, it should be stronger."

Until then, shortstop belongs to Frandsen, whose Major League experience at the position encompasses two starts in 2006 and 15 last year. Frandsen also played shortstop in the Minors and in the 2006 Arizona Fall League.

"It might be a little different not having 'O' out there, but we'll get it going," Frandsen said.

Yearning for a chance to entrench himself in the Majors after batting .322 in 245 Minor League games, Frandsen's ready to seize this chance -- although he emphasized that it's "not cool" to exult in the wake of Vizquel's injury. But he appreciated the Giants' faith in him: "That excites me. For me, there's no added pressure. It's an opportunity."

Frandsen knows that thriving at shortstop could help him secure the second-base job.

"When Omar comes back, I've still got a spot I need to win and earn," he said.

Frandsen will continue to take some grounders at second and third base -- just as Aurilia will attempt to stay sharp at first, second and shortstop. But third base will be Aurilia's main priority for the immediate future, unless the Giants collaborate with the Chicago White Sox on the much-rumored Joe Crede trade sooner than later.

"If you go into a season knowing you're going to be at one spot, that does take a little bit off your mind," Aurilia said.

Vizquel's injury could increase Eugenio Velez's chances to secure a utility role on the season-opening roster. Already, Velez has been practicing at every position except first base, pitcher and catcher. "He'll keep doing what he's been doing," Bochy said.

Kline, Taschner need to be right lefties

Henry Schulman - San Francisco Chronicle

Reliever Steve Kline is a walking one-liner. When he arrived in camp 40 pounds lighter than last year, he said, "I still have the same dead arm, so it doesn't really matter. By July, I'll be freakin' 260 again." On the impending birth of his third daughter, he said, "I'll have to play four more years to afford all the weddings."

Here is something that is not as funny: last year's struggles by the left-handers in the bullpen.

Kline and Jack Taschner are coming off unsatisfying seasons. Kline had a 4.70 ERA in 68 games and left-handed opponents batted .318 against him. Taschner had a 5.40 ERA in a career-high 63 games. Although lefties hit .316 against Taschner, he was downright suffocating against right-handers (.176).

In fairness to both, the bullpen was in disarray, particularly after closer Armando Benitez's departure. Roles were not clearly defined and appearances sometimes were irregular.

An improved bullpen will be critical if the Giants hope to improve on last year's 39-55 mark in games decided by one or two runs. Though the right side of the bullpen appears set with right-handers Brad Hennessey and Tyler Walker setting up closer Brian Wilson, a vital question remains about which lefties will be trusted to pitch late in games to all the tough left-handed hitters in the National League West.

Kline, 35, hopes to reduce his walks and maybe strike out more left-handers.

"I've got to prove I can get back to my old stature of getting lefties out," he said. "When you're not doing the job, it's tough for them to rely on you."

Taschner, who turns 30 in April, said, "I'm not the youngest of players on the team, so the time to get it done is now."

They could be pushed in camp by 21-year-old Rule 5 draftee Jose Capellan and more so by 26-year-old Erick Threets, who finally made his big-league debut in 2007 after seven minor-league seasons and is out of minor-league options.

"We still think a lot of Erick," manager Bruce Bochy said. "He had a good winter ball in Mexico. Even though the results were not great, the little time he had throwing (in the majors) gave him confidence. When you have a left-hander with that kind of arm, you never know when it's going to clock. It looks like he's close."

Heads up: Danger was everywhere Sunday. Ray Durham hit a sharp comebacker that nailed Keiichi Yabu just above his left wrist. Yabu said the ball came at him "like an F-22A" fighter plane. He was not seriously hurt. Earlier, Brian Sabean was walking along the warning track with his back to the plate when Justin Leone hit a deep foul ball that whizzed 2 feet behind the general manager's head.

Sabean could have taken a safer route from the back field to the main field, but said, "I thought Matt Cain was still pitching and I wasn't worried. The problem was, it was Kline."

Briefly: Daniel Ortmeier, batting right-handed, hit an opposite-field home run off Capellan. ... Bochy will miss today's workout because of a personal matter.

Giants outfield prospect one step from majors

Bowker improves as power hitter

Andrew Baggarly - MercuryNews

The Giants are stuffed with young outfielders, so John Bowker has no delusions of making the club out of spring training.

But if he repeats his breakout performance from last season, his time will come soon enough.

The 24-year-old Sacramento native batted .307 and hit 22 home runs at Double-A Connecticut last year - numbers that look even better considering the dimensions at Dodd Stadium.

Bowker appeared a bit stalled entering last year, having repeated Class A San Jose in 2006. He hadn't developed into the power hitter the team envisioned when it took him in the third round of the '04 draft out of Long Beach State.

Coaches noticed that Bowker had no trouble turning on inside pitches with his quick, left-handed stroke. His problem came when he lunged for pitches on the outer half. So they asked him to move closer to the plate, and the results were instantaneous.

"I was able to turn on more pitches," Bowker said. "And my approach was consistent the whole year."

Bowker is excited about one thing. After playing in pitcher's parks nearly all his life, including Long Beach's Blair Field, he's off to Triple-A Fresno and the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League.

"But I never try to think about how big the parks are," he said. "I just try to have good at-bats."

Bowker could be an insurance policy at first base, too. The Giants asked him to start taking groundballs there last month.

First baseman Daniel Ortmeier said he put on about 15 pounds of muscle this winter, thanks in part to daily motivation from workout partner and Colorado outfielder Brad Hawpe.

The two Texans pushed each other in the gym and Hawpe told the Denver Post he had trouble keeping up with Ortmeier, comparing his athleticism to Rockies teammate and MVP runner-up Matt Holliday.

Ortmeier, who entered camp at 230 pounds, showed his power by hitting an opposite-field home run against left-hander Jose Capellan.

• The Giants still don't have a meeting scheduled with Commissioner Bud Selig to discuss the findings of the Mitchell report, General Manager Brian Sabean said. Selig has pledged to give Sabean and owner Peter Magowan a forum to provide context on the events outlined in the report before taking any potential disciplinary action.

How will Giants use No. 5 draft pick in June?

Giants to pick fifth in June

Andrew Baggarly - MercuryNews

Over the past 15 seasons, the Giants' roster blueprint had Barry Bonds as the center column. The rest of the plan was to develop gobs of pitchers, keep the best ones and trade surplus arms for the other parts the team needed.

Bonds is no longer Part A of the grand philosophy. But what about Part B?

It's an intriguing question for longtime General Manager Brian Sabean, especially since the team holds the fifth pick in the June draft.

In the past, the draft was a spring-training topic for Giants fans only if it involved the price of beer at Scottsdale Stadium. But this year, most bloggers already know about Vanderbilt third baseman Pedro Alvarez, South Carolina first baseman Justin Smoak and Miami (Fla.) slugger Yonder Alonso - the consensus best among a solid crop of power-hitting college juniors.

Sabean makes no promises about drafting a premium hitter, though. Although his revamped scouting department will strive for more balance in the system, Sabean believes that young pitching is more valuable than ever.

"The sands have shifted, not only with our philosophy of building a team around Barry, but more so in the game itself," said Sabean, who watched Arizona State's top-ranked baseball team beat Vanderbilt on Saturday. "Young pitching is the gold standard, so you'll have to find a way to do both. Develop them, hold on to the best ones and be patient with the position players. We want more balance, but you still have to have the pitching inventory."

The Giants have gone heavy on pitching ever since Sabean's first draft as G.M. in 1997, when the club spent the fourth overall pick on Seton Hall right-hander Jason Grilli.

Of the 14 first-round (non-supplemental) picks during Sabean's administration, the Giants have taken 11 pitchers. And of the first-round position players, just one of the three - Tony Torcato in 1998 - represented the club's first overall pick.

Torcato never materialized - a failure made more regrettable because the Cleveland Indians took eventual All-Star left-hander and Vallejo native C.C. Sabathia with the next pick.

Pitchers are generally considered a higher first-round risk. But with Vice President Dick Tidrow presiding over the draft, the Giants have developed a steady supply of contributing arms - including Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, Noah Lowry and Brad Hennessey.

Their selection this June is their highest since they chose Grilli, who never pitched for the Giants and was traded with Nate Bump to Florida for Livan Hernandez.

Sabean said it's impossible to say what the club might do or even how it might prioritize under new scouting director John Barr.

"It's not like the NFL or the NBA where you draft for need," Sabean said. "If you look back, and if organizations are honest, they'll admit more mistakes are made by drafting for need - in baseball especially. Our game isn't cut out to be that way."

No matter whom they take, the Giants are certain to hand out a signing bonus exceeding the franchise record of $2.1 million. Sabean said the club will not avoid players with significant bonus demands.

"You want who you think is the best at that time and the fastest mover," he said.

And yes, that player could be another pitcher.

"No matter what people think, anybody that says they know exactly what they're doing the first of March isn't being honest," Sabean said. "There are too many factors involved. You have to do all the work and let it play out."

Giants minicamp

Top prospects get head start; Denker embraced by new team

Chris Haft - MLB.com

Spring Training doesn't begin until next week for most of the Giants' Minor Leaguers. But 48 of the organization's farmhands have gotten a head start on preparing for the season.

Those four dozen players are participating in the Giants' Minor League minicamp, which opened last week. It's a mixture of players recovering from injuries, veterans who might fill in during the late innings of Major League exhibitions and, of course, "young guys you want to get started on the right foot," director of player personnel Bobby Evans said.

Some of the Giants' top prospects are at the camp, including infielder Angel Villalona, the 17-year-old from the Dominican Republic who signed the largest bonus in club history two years ago; outfielder Wendell Fairley and infielders Nick Noonan and Charlie Culberson, prized selections from last June's First-Year Player Draft; and Kevin Pucetas, named Most Outstanding Pitcher in the South Atlantic League last year after finishing 15-4 with a 1.86 ERA.

Munter the mentor: Scott Munter's gone from the Giants organization, but the soft-spoken right-hander left a lasting impression on reliever Billy Sadler, who's in his third big league camp.

Sadler played in the Minors with Munter in each of the previous two seasons and watched him strive to return to the big leagues. Munter's now a non-roster invitee with Tampa Bay.

"He was kind of my go-to guy with learning this game and the big leagues," said Sadler, who spent part of September 2006 with the Giants. "When he came back down to the Minor Leagues, he said, 'Billy, don't you ever forget where you came from.' I saw him push that much harder when he came back down to the Minors."

Following this example, Sadler has worked to find the consistency that has eluded him. Control has been a problem for Sadler, who struck out 59 but walked 35 in 42 1/3 innings last year at Triple-A Fresno, besides recording a 5.95 ERA. Sadler believes that he's throwing more regularly from the same arm slot, which should help his command.

"It's a huge challenge for every pitcher," he said.

Feeling at home: The jarring experience of being traded was softened for infielder Travis Denker, who sparked Class A San Jose to the California League championship after being acquired from the Dodgers for Mark Sweeney on Aug. 26.

"After being on a team for three weeks, I won a ring already," said Denker, who hit .480 with three home runs and seven RBIs in seven postseason games.

Denker felt welcomed by his new teammates immediately.

"They made it more comfortable," he said. "They could have been standoffish, but they weren't. They were like, 'Get in here; we want to win this thing.' That was the attitude that I wanted."

Due in: Reporting dates for the Giants' remaining Minor Leaguers are Wednesday for pitchers and catchers and next Friday for position players.

They're No. 1: Three former No. 1 picks are in camp, and all are mainstays of the pitching staff: right-handers Brad Hennessey (2001), Matt Cain (2002) and Tim Lincecum (2006). Hennessey will occupy a late-inning relief role, while Cain and Lincecum are the second and fourth starters in the rotation, respectively.

Class of '07: Catcher Jackson Williams, a supplemental-round selection (43rd overall) in last June's First-Year Player Draft, is in camp as a non-roster invitee. Williams helped Salem-Keizer, the Giants' short-season Class A outpost, win the Northwest League title by hitting .231 with five homers and 20 RBIs in 42 games.

What they're saying: "You can't beat this lifestyle. I'm already in love with it. I don't want to go anywhere else." -- Denker, on being in Major League camp

Schierholtz putting lessons from an idol to good use

Matt Williams provided advice during fall season

Andrew Baggarly - MercuryNews

The Giants haven't sent a homegrown position player to the All-Star Game since Matt Williams in 1996. Hard to believe, but Williams is also the last Giants farm product to hit at least 25 home runs in a season.

Outfielder Nate Schierholtz might have the best shot at ending those streaks. And if he taps into his power, guess who deserves a share of the credit?

None other than Williams, who gave Schierholtz some important advice while filling in as his manager in the Arizona Fall League.

"We talked about getting in counts to hit, and when it's 2-0 or 2-1, really letting it fly," Schierholtz said. "If I swing and miss, big deal. He told me that if I take a half-effort swing just to make contact, I'm not doing anyone any favors. I'm really just cheating myself."

Schierholtz swung the bat with authority during the fall, hitting .348 with four home runs, eight doubles and a triple in 23 games for the Scottsdale Scorpions. His batting average ranked fourth in the prospect-rich league.

He played the first dozen games under Williams, whom he idolized while growing up in Danville. Williams subbed for Diamondbacks third-base coach Chip Hale as Arizona made its playoff run.

"It was definitely a cool experience," Schierholtz said. "My main objectives were to be more selective and drive the ball. I know I have the potential. I think I've shown I can do it in batting practice."

Uh, yeah. Two springs ago, Schierholtz hit the now-legendary drive that sailed over the netting and broke a window in an adjacent apartment complex. The tenant rushed to the stadium office, assuming Barry Bonds must have hit it.

Schierholtz's other memorable spring blast came in 2004, when he was called up from minor league camp for his first Cactus League game and hit a resounding pinch homer off Seattle's Shigetoshi Hasegawa. The ball cleared the berm and landed on a walkway at Peoria Sports Complex.

Schierholtz's main goal the past three years has been to make consistent contact. He cut down his strikeouts from 132 to 81 to 77 over the past three years. He also looked far from overmatched last season in his big league debut, hitting .304 in 112 at-bats.

Now he's ready to take on the next challenge. He hit 12 home runs in a month at Fresno late last season

"That second half at Fresno lit a fire under me to play the way I'm capable of playing," he said.

Schierholtz, 24, shouldn't have to wait long for his first major league homer. But if he hits too many, he might get his idol in trouble for helping a division rival.

Lest anyone forget, Williams is a special assistant in the Diamondbacks' front office and even owns a small stake in the team.

• Dave Roberts had one of those "I'm glad he's on my side" moments when facing Tim Lincecum in live batting practice. Lincecum threw a scorching fastball that Roberts couldn't handle, and he whooped back at the mound in protest.

"He and (Matt) Cain both have that thing, that late life," Roberts said. "The ball gets on you."

Lincecum's stuff had everyone smiling around the cage.

"For not throwing a lot in the winter, we thought he'd be behind," Giants Manager Bruce Bochy said. "But he feels good, threw all his pitches and had great stuff."

• Former big league shortstop and all-around ebullient presence Shawon Dunston spent his first day in uniform as a special assistant. Unlike Robb Nen or J.T. Snow, who have more specific duties, Dunston is here to help out wherever needed - as long as he resists the urge to take fungoes or hit in the cage.

"My wife gave me the best advice," Dunston said. "She said, 'Shaaaawon, You're going to help. You don't play anymore.' I know it, but I'm jealous of these young guys."

• Catcher Bengie Molina played catch on a back field but didn't participate in other work because of a strained left quadriceps. He might miss another day or two.

Giants' Ortmeier is a big guy who can steal bases

Andrew Baggarly - MercuryNews

A few minutes before 8 a.m. Thursday, the field at Scottsdale Stadium was empty except for a small group standing near first base. It was Giants coach Roberto Kelly teaching a magnet school of base stealers: Rajai Davis, Eugenio Velez, Fred Lewis.

And Daniel Ortmeier?

No, Ortmeier doesn't pretend he could nip any of those other guys at the tape. He wouldn't run anchor leg on a 4 x 400 relay team. Because of his size, he is probably the last person - other than Bengie Molina - whom opposing pitchers will fixate upon this season.

That's exactly what he's hoping for, too.

"They have Dave Roberts and these other guys to worry about," said Ortmeier, who is 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds. "Really, that's been one of my biggest assets in the minor leagues: Pitchers forget about me. I'm usually not held as closely as some of these other guys, and it allows me to get better jumps."

It would be an understatement to say Ortmeier runs well for a big man. He stole 100 bases in 132 attempts over 599 minor league games. Three years ago, he swiped 35 at Double-A Norwich. Last year at Triple-A Fresno, he was successful in 16 of 18 attempts.

Ortmeier has attempted to steal only four times in 86 major league games, but with the Giants planning a motion offense this season, he knows he'll have opportunities.

"I've never really been coached on how to steal bases," Ortmeier said. "That's why I think I can get better with just a little fine-tuning. How often does a guy get thrown out by two feet? It's usually a bang-bang play, so one little thing makes a big difference."

• Right-hander Brian Wilson has a souvenir from his travels that could be a problem once Cactus League games start.

While on a three-week backpacking tour of Ireland this winter, he got a script tattoo that wraps around his right wrist. It says "All honor to Him" in Gaelic and has a Celtic cross on the underside.

Some club officials told Wilson to be prepared in case umpires ask him to cover the tattoo. In the past, umpires have ordered inked-up players to wear long sleeves because their body art could be viewed as distracting to hitters.

Wilson, a devout Christian, said he wouldn't cooperate.

"There will be a serious problem if that happens," he said. "What am I supposed to do, wear a sleeve down to my palm?"

• Just three days into full-squad workouts, some veterans are nursing minor injuries. Shortstop Omar Vizquel (left-knee inflammation) and infielder Rich Aurilia (right hamstring) were held out of conditioning work but hit and took part in baseball drills. Although they are expected to participate today, catcher Molina (strained left quadriceps) might need a day or two before returning to the field.

• Barry Bonds isn't in camp, but his godfather is. Willie Mays laughed with players and greeted new ones as he sat at his customary table in the clubhouse.

• The Giants will play their first intrasquad game Wednesday, Manager Bruce Bochy said.

Roberts is a key to the Giants' running game

He will be a key to Giants' running game

Andrew Baggarly - MercuryNews

Around this time last spring, Dave Roberts was ecstatic. Barry Bonds walked up to the Giants' new leadoff hitter and encouraged him to run his heart out.

Roberts eventually realized his green light came with a Bonds restrictor plate. He wasn't truly free to take a base whenever it was there for the stealing.

"The way it played out . . ." said Roberts, wearing a glum expression. "It was pretty clear we wanted him to get his at-bats. We weren't scoring runs early in the season, and he was our best chance. We had to put the brakes on so he could get his opportunities."

There also was the little matter of the all-time home run record. As fans stood and cheered one of Bonds' at-bats, the last thing they wanted to see was the inning end on a swipe tag at second base.

"Even though Barry says it's OK to run, in the back of Dave's mind, my mind, the fans' minds, you don't want to take the bat out of Barry's hands," Manager Bruce Bochy said. "A couple times we did run, but it'll be different now. Dave will have a green light and we'll need him to run."

The Giants are through standing and watching, and Roberts is eager to lead their power-deprived lineup in another direction.

In some fan circles, there is strong sentiment to start Fred Lewis in left field, or move Randy Winn to left and open an everyday spot for Nate Schierholtz in right. They view Roberts, 35, as a spare part from the Bonds era.

But it's worth noting that Roberts has experience leading off for low-scoring lineups. And two of them were playoff teams.

"I do think I'm the right guy to lead off for this team," said Roberts, who helped Bochy's San Diego Padres to the postseason in 2005 and '06. "I'm a guy who's going to see pitches and put an at-bat on you, and I think there are other guys in the lineup like that as well. Hopefully we can get to the starting pitchers, run up pitch counts and get into those bullpens early. The great teams find a way to do that."

A platoon of right-handed-hitting Rajai Davis and left-handed-hitting Roberts could steal more than 75 bases. Even though he missed a month because of elbow surgery last season, Roberts stole 31 bases in 36 attempts - the first 30-steal season by a Giant since Bonds in 1997.

It's hidden by his miserable start, but Roberts became the player the Giants envisioned after he returned from surgery. In 70 games beginning July 1, he hit .296 with a .367 on-base percentage.

"He's a great fit for the way we plan to score runs," Bochy said. "We'll play a lot of tight ballgames in our division when we'll need to get a late run across, and that's where Dave's value is. If you can't get that run with power, you'd better have some speed."

Roberts has played in enough one-run games over his career. The '05 Padres had a .391 slugging percentage - second worst in the National League. The '06 version wasn't much better, ranking 14th in the 16-team N.L. with a .416 slugging percentage.

But Roberts' leanest team by far was the '03 Dodgers, who had one of the most futile offenses in history. Their .671 OPS (on-base plus slugging percentage) is the lowest of any N.L. team since the expansion Florida Marlins in 1993.

As the lineup foundered, players became frustrated. Batters tried in vain to make something happen because they didn't have faith in the guys hitting behind them.

"When people talk about chemistry, that's it right there," Roberts said. "It's trusting the guy behind you or in front of you to do the job. The coaches are preaching that to us this spring, and hopefully we get everybody to buy into it."
If it doesn't stick, Roberts knows what could happen. A bunch of talented Giants pitchers could go unrewarded - just as the '03 Dodgers did.

That club had brilliant pitching, which by one measure ranked as the most dominant in a century. The team ERA of 3.16 blew away the rest of the league - the Giants were second at 3.73 - and the gap of 0.57 between first and second was the largest in the N.L. since a 1907 Chicago Cubs staff led by Mordecai "Three Finger" Brown and Orval Overall.

Yet that Dodgers staff, including Cy Young Award winner Eric Gagne, didn't get a chance to shine in the playoffs.

Many believe the Giants are headed for a similar fate, but Roberts is optimistic.

"Because I see a lot of guys who will sacrifice at-bats and themselves for the good of the team," he said. "This is a lineup that can and will score runs."

Giants might keep three catchers on roster

Backups Rodriguez, Alfonzo would give Bochy more options

Andrew Baggarly - MercuryNews

Guillermo Rodriguez and Eliezer Alfonzo competed against each other all winter in Venezuela, where they served as captains of their respective clubs.

The competition continues this spring, as the two countrymen vie for a spot backing up Giants catcher Bengie Molina.

This competition could end in a tie, though. And both could win.

Manager Bruce Bochy said he is discussing the possibility of carrying all three catchers. Although other roster issues will affect the decision, Bochy sees value in being able to pinch run for Molina more often while also making it easier to utilize Alfonzo's right-handed power off the bench.
Molina believes it would make sense, pointing out that both backup catchers also have experience playing first base.

"I don't want to see either of them go down," Molina said. "I hope both of them can be with me all year."

Alfonzo was named MVP of the Venezuelan League after hitting 15 home runs in 191 regular-season at-bats for Caribes de Anzoategui. He hit seven more in 14 postseason games, and won the league's home run derby, too. He credited former major league slugger Tony Armas for helping him eliminate the hitch in his stride.

"He was amazing, just locked in," Rodriguez said. "But he didn't hit a home run against us. We struck him out 14 times in seven games. I didn't get a base hit against their pitchers, either. I guess we know each other too well."

Rodriguez hit well against everyone else, though. He also had a breakthrough season, hitting .291 with three home runs and 18 RBIs in 158 at-bats for Aguilas del Zulia.

A backup in previous winter league seasons, Rodriguez might have won extra playing time because he broke into the major leagues the previous summer. Aguilas did not make the playoffs, but because Rodriguez hit and caught well, another club picked him up for the playoffs to fulfill a dream.

"My hometown team, Cardenales de Lara," Rodriguez said. "When I was a little kid, I was a fan of that team."

Cardenales lost in the final to Tigres de Aragua. But because Rodriguez played from mid-October through January, he reported to Scottsdale looking sleeker and stronger.

"He can play, man," Molina said of Rodriguez. "He can run and swing the bat. Alfonzo does his thing, too. I hope we'll have a lot of fun together."

Molina is sensitive about his lack of speed, but he acknowledged it would be valuable to exit for a pinch runner in close and late games.
"Hey, I know what I can do in this game and what I can't," Molina said. "I know I don't score from second base on a single. I can only do what I can do."

• Giants position players worked in groups on baserunning with coaches Tim Flannery and Roberto Kelly. There will be more emphasis on instruction in camp this season, Bochy said.

• Brian Wilson took his first live batting-practice session seriously. While most pitchers strolled out to the field a few minutes before their turn, Wilson sprinted from the bullpen as if it was a big league relief appearance.

His command was a little erratic, as was Noah Lowry's, but both pitchers came through the day with no problems.

• Merkin Valdez might have been the most scrutinized of the pitchers who threw Wednesday. General Manager Brian Sabean, Vice President Dick Tidrow and Bochy all watched up close as Valdez faced hitters.

Valdez, who is out of minor league options, missed last season because of elbow reconstruction surgery.

"His delivery looked good and he feels good," Bochy said. "He could make some noise."

Lincecum easing into his windup

Henry Schulman - San Francisco Chronicle

Tim Lincecum threw full-speed batting practice to hitters for the first time this spring, and there was a noticeable difference in his delivery. He was not twisting his body toward second base as radically. Even so, his fastball still had plenty of zip and attracted a lot of weak swings.

Did the Giants ask Lincecum to shorten his unique windup? That would be big news.

No, he said, nothing has changed. He was concentrating on other parts of his mechanics the first time out, namely his leg position and command.

"I'm going to start taking my windup a little more back," Lincecum said. "Going into the season, I'm sure I'm going to get back to it, going full bore. Today was just getting a feel for it and seeing the batters."

Lincecum's throwing motion creates a lot of debate. On one hand, it adds to his deception and the force behind his pitches. But it also puts a lot of torque on his right leg. The right-hander has had tendinitis in the knee since college and ices it after he throws. Some Lincecum watchers fear his motion ultimately could hurt his arm, although there has been no evidence of that thus far.

Lincecum acknowledged the issue, saying his father, who devised his delivery, has suggested he curtail "the Luis Tiant thing," referring to the 19-year major-leaguer who turned toward second base to begin his windup. The Giants, he said, "haven't tried to make any adjustments at all. They've pretty much let me do my thing."

Manager Bruce Bochy said the brass has talked about whether to shorten Lincecum's delivery, but under the theory that you should not tinker with something that works, Bochy said, "We're not going to change it now."

Snow's tutelage: Daniel Ortmeier is not the only novice first baseman working with special instructor J.T. Snow. Later this spring, on his second visit to camp, Snow expects to work at the minor-league camp with 17-year-old Angel Villalona, the $2 million bonus baby from the Dominican Republic. He was signed as a third baseman, but as he has grown, the organization has become convinced his body is better suited for first base.

"He has good hands for a 17-year-old kid," said Snow, who had to teach Villalona everything about the position from scratch. Snow expects Villalona to pick up the techniques because there are many similarities between playing third base and first. Snow also watched Villalona bat and said, "I've never seen a 17-year-old kid hit the ball like that. Very impressive."

Briefly: The players are enduring longer workouts than in past years because Bochy and his staff are spending more time on instruction than they did with older teams. Toward the end of Wednesday's workout, one player said, "I feel like I'm in mile 25 of a marathon," and that was one of the younger guys. ... Dave Roberts, Rajai Davis, Kevin Frandsen and Fred Lewis were on the field at 8:30 a.m., before the regular workout, participating in what could become daily bunting practice with coach Tim Flannery. ... Barry Bonds will be on the cover of the 2008 media guide, sort of. He is part of a photo montage of notable Giants over the years marking the 50th anniversary of the move to San Francisco.

Healthy Aurilia ready to prove doubters wrong

Neck injury in past, he'll play third base or sub in the infield

Andrew Baggarly - Mercury News

During a question-and-answer session at FanFest this month, someone asked Giants Manager Bruce Bochy about his plans for third base. Bochy mentioned Rich Aurilia.

Groans followed. A few boos, too.

For Aurilia? The only player remaining from the 2002 World Series team? The guy who hit six home runs that postseason? A fan favorite during the prime of the Giants' renaissance years?
"I don't see how you can boo Rich Aurilia," Giants outfielder Randy Winn said. "He played so many years on so many good teams here. Maybe they were unhappy the team didn't sign Alex (Rodriguez) or something like that."

Or maybe they are ready to move beyond the Barry Bonds era and would rather see a prospect than take a nostalgia trip. Either way, Aurilia's contract expires after this season, and another difficult year would turn his happy homecoming into an awkward exit.

Aurilia is optimistic, saying his injured neck has recovered and he is determined to start on opening day.

"You want all the younger guys to do well and be professional as they go about their business, and that's something I can offer to those guys," said Aurilia, 36. "But you know what? I want to go out and play. And I want to win. And I'm going to do everything I can to accomplish both those things. Regardless of who the fans want to play third, I'm just going to do my job and help this team."

All Aurilia's accomplishments with the Giants - seven opening-day starts, the banner 37-homer/206-hit season in 2001, helping four clubs reach the playoffs - didn't make last season's numbers any glossier. Amid two stints on the disabled list, he hit .252 with five home runs in 99 games.

Aurilia said he understands if fans believe he's not the same player. He didn't recognize himself last year, either. He hit .339 over his first 16 games before his neck stiffened up and remained that way for the rest of the season. Eventually, Aurilia realized the problem: a car accident in spring training, when he was rear-ended on the way to Scottsdale Stadium.

"It didn't bother me for two months, but I talked to several people who say necks can be funny like that," Aurilia said. "All I know is sleeping wrong shouldn't make you feel like that. I was miserable from May on. My mood at home was miserable. I wasn't the same person."
How did the injury affect his hitting?

"Well, for starters, I couldn't turn my head to face the pitcher," he said. "It threw everything off from there. . . . But I take responsibility for my performance. I was out there playing. Whether I was 100 percent or not, I could have said, 'I can't play.' That was my choice."

Two rounds of cortisone injections brought temporary relief. But the pain didn't go away until this winter, through rest and work with a physical therapist.

Now, in the final year of his contract, Aurilia is pain-free and hopes to be the player who hit .300 with 23 home runs for Cincinnati in 2006.

"There's no question we need him," Bochy said. "We need his bat, we need his glove at third and he'll play a big part in our season."

Although the Giants don't have an everyday third-base prospect to push Aurilia, there's a good chance they will trade for Chicago White Sox third baseman Joe Crede. In that event, they'll still need Aurilia to back up at all four infield positions and be a safety net in case Daniel Ortmeier flops at first base.

Aurilia understands if some fans consider him a favorite VHS highlight tape in a Blu-ray world.
"If they get another third baseman, they can cheer him," Aurilia said. "It doesn't change the way I go about my job. I play hard every day like I've always done. Fans have that right to cheer or boo whomever they want. I've come off a bad year and proven people wrong before. I'm looking for the opportunity to do that again."

And, hopefully, be a fan favorite.

"Yeah, the last man standing, I know," Aurilia said. "We've got a lot of new and exciting things going on and I want to be part of it."

Close friends look and learn in Giants' camp

Henry Schulman - San Francisco Chronicle

Nearly a dozen reporters from around the country had the same idea Tuesday and descended upon Scottsdale Stadium to cover the Giants' first full-squad workout of the post-Barry Bonds era.

Next year, or maybe in 2010, another torch will be passed when Omar Vizquel hangs up his gilded glove. Will that shake the earth as strongly as Bonds' departure? No, but the transition will be hard on the legions of Vizquelophiles who have come to appreciate his skill and panache at shortstop.

This spring, the Giants will get a look at two highly considered shortstop prospects, born 51 days and 140 miles apart, who aspire to succeed Vizquel someday. Emmanuel Burriss and Brian Bocock are settling into their first major-league spring training, sitting across the clubhouse from one of the game's greatest players at their position.

Burriss, 23, was the Giants' sandwich pick between the first and second rounds of the 2006 draft. Bocock turns 23 next month and came to the Giants in the ninth round of the same draft. They might have their eyes on the same prize but cannot be called "rivals."
They happen to be best friends.

"We have the utmost respect for each other," Burriss said. "We know we both can play. Whoever comes out on top, we're going to be happy for each other, and they can definitely find a spot for the other guy. My thing is right now is, just try to do the best we can here together. We work out together. We give each other hints on what to do or what not to do, how to play a certain ball."
Bocock said their friendship "is kind of what carries us and makes us work harder. We try to be together as much as we can."

Burriss, who grew up in Washington, D.C., and played at Kent State, was the more heralded prospect when he was drafted. The 6-foot, 190-pound switch-hitter can fly and owns 103 steals in less than two full seasons as a professional.

After Burriss hit .307 in rookie ball in 2006, the Giants tried to jump him two spots to their Single-A club in San Jose last year, and it did not work. Burriss hit .165 in 36 games and was shipped to the low Single-A team in Augusta, Ga. At the same time, Augusta's shortstop was hitting so well, the Giants promoted him to San Jose to fill Burriss' spot.

That was Bocock. Somewhere over Kansas, the good friends whooshed past one another, one demoted, one promoted.

"It was actually a weird feeling of being happy for him, because he was doing well," Burriss said. "It was good to see him being rewarded for that. At the same time, I couldn't get a hit to save my life. For me to get out of that atmosphere and see different pitchers, that was what I needed and I expected what was going to happen after awhile."

Burriss thrived at Augusta, hitting .321 with 51 steals. Bocock struggled in the second half and finished at .220 in San Jose. Bocock's strengths are his glove and arm. Special assistant Felipe Alou, who started raving about Bocock's potential last spring, said this week, "Defensively, he could play at the any level right now."

Including the majors?

"Any level."

Bocock grew up in Virginia and played for Stetson College in Florida. He and Burriss first met in the Cape Cod summer league, in which they played shortstop for competing teams.

"I knew how to play him defensively," Bocock said. "We still laugh about it. I would come way up and shift over to the (right) because he would just slap the ball and run. He'd kind of get a little discouraged sometimes. We laugh about it now, because he said I was the only guy in the league who would play him like that."

The Giants are not sure at which minor-league level Burriss and Bocock will begin the season. Eventually, one might be shifted to second or third base. Ultimately, the Giants might sign a free agent to play shortstop when Vizquel goes.

For now, these best buds are soaking up their first big-league camp and the chance to watch - but not necessarily mimic - Vizquel.

"It's kind of hard to learn from Omar Vizquel because he has his own style," Burriss said. "I can pick his mind about positioning and how to get through a major-league season. I think the most we can do is sit back and admire him. It's a good thing he's still here. Watching a future Hall of Famer play as much as you can, that's always fun."

Rowand, for one, would like Giants to acquire Crede

Andrew Baggarly - Mercury News

Aaron Rowand admits he is biased, but he believes third baseman Joe Crede would be a tremendous fit with the Giants. And he knows the front office is thinking hard about acquiring his former Chicago White Sox teammate.

That's because Giants officials asked Rowand to provide a character reference.

"They inquired and asked about what kind of guy he is," Rowand said. "They obviously know what he can do as a baseball player."

Crede, 29, is coming off an injury-shortened, 47-game season and had surgery to alleviate a herniated disk in June. He reported to White Sox camp proclaiming to be healthy, and the Giants will monitor him closely this spring.

Expendable because of the emergence of Josh Fields at third, Crede hit 30 home runs and drove in 94 runs in 2006. He was a clutch machine for the White Sox in their 2005 march to a World Series championship.

Rowand said Crede would be a legitimate cleanup presence for the Giants, who currently have Bengie Molina miscast in the fourth spot.

"He's one of the most clutch hitters I've ever played with," Rowand said. "I can't tell you how many ballgames he won for us in '05. He makes adjustments, he hits home runs, he hits in the clutch and he plays Gold Glove third base."

Rowand also said Crede would fit with Manager Bruce Bochy's "Warrior Spirit" brigade "because of the way he plays the game and his personality. He plays hard and he's also very lighthearted. He likes to have a good time and keep things light in the clubhouse."

Crede will make $5.1 million this season, which the Giants could absorb while still remaining below last year's payroll. Including deferred money, they currently project to spend just under $87 million; they spent roughly $95 million last season.

"It all depends on what the White Sox want," Rowand said.

The Giants might be able to get Crede without parting with a pitcher like Jonathan Sanchez. Outfielder Fred Lewis is out of options and generated interest with several teams this winter.

Although Crede will be a free agent after this season, the Giants consider him a potential long-term piece because they have no third-base prospects in the system. Crede might not be as athletic as the Giants would prefer - he has four stolen bases in 701 career games - but Rowand said his agility at third base ranks with that of Gold Glove fielders Scott Rolen and Eric Chavez.

"He's got side-to-side quickness," Rowand said, smiling. "I always tell him a guy so quick shouldn't be so slow."

• Barry Zito drew laughs when he shook off catcher Molina during the first full-squad workout Tuesday. Zito looked fluid and fine as he threw live batting practice to Guillermo Rodriguez, Randy Winn and Rowand.

Batting practice was a little too lively for Lewis. He barely dodged getting drilled in the head by a wild fastball from Erick Threets.

Giants' Durham won't concede second-base job

DURHAM STAKES HIS CLAIM TO SECOND BASE

By Andrew Baggarly - Mercury News

Ray Durham wasn't bothered one bit to hear that Kevin Frandsen intends to be the Giants' second baseman on opening day. There's nothing wrong with confidence, Durham said Monday.
Then the veteran made a bold statement of his own: "Nothing against him, but I don't see myself losing this job."

If this sounds like a warring feud, like two players who exchange only frosty glances across the clubhouse, think again. Five minutes after Durham strolled into Scottsdale Stadium for the first time this spring, he and Frandsen hugged and shared a few laughs.

The incumbent and the upstart agree on two things: They expect the competition to last deep into the spring or beyond, and they will remain buddies regardless of the outcome.

"He's a great baseball player, or will be, and he's also a good friend," said Durham, 36. "You hate to go up against your friends, but it is what it is. . . . I honestly feel if I do what I know I can do then I won't lose this job."

Even with the Giants eager to promote youth, Durham has a few major advantages. He is two years removed from a 26-homer, 93-RBI season, which is mouth-watering for a club without a legitimate cleanup presence. And if Durham wins the job, the Giants could carry one fewer infielder - making it possible to keep an extra outfielder or catcher while breaking camp with 12 pitchers.

Plus Durham is in a contract drive, which is another reason the Giants are keeping an open mind.
"The best thing about this game is that every year is a clean slate," Giants Manager Bruce Bochy said.

Durham inexplicably hit in a fog all last season, batting .218 with a career-worst .343 slugging percentage; if not for teammate Omar Vizquel (.316), Durham would have been the lightest-slugging everyday player in the National League.

"Last year was not me," Durham said. "I wasn't the player who's been in this league for 14 years."

Durham watched video and didn't notice any significant changes from past seasons, though he worked this winter to ensure his hands were in the correct position instead of dropping them as he begins his swing. Durham usually focuses on general conditioning and takes some swings against a machine, but this time he dragged out the hitting tee.

"I worked this off-season, I actually worked," he said.

If he is faced with a bench role, Durham said he wouldn't request a trade. His $7 million contract is practically immovable, anyway.

"If he beats me out, he beats me out, and I'll do whatever I can to help this team win," Durham said. "And again, nothing against him, but I don't see myself losing this job."

• Durham would appear to be a conundrum for Carney Lansford, but the Giants' new hitting coach said he expects the veteran to be one of his easier projects. Lansford said he had a similar hitting approach as Durham's, which is not surprising because former hitting guru Walt Hriniak coached and influenced both players.

"Ray had him with the White Sox and he was my hitting coach in Boston," Lansford said. "Ray is a student of Walt's theories: use the entire field, keep your head smooth, eyes down at the point of contact, and let the ball travel a little deeper instead of trying to pull off of it.

"I'll talk to him about what he thinks happened. I'll guarantee whether it was pitch selection or a mechanical problem, it started off as a little thing that became a lot bigger in his head."

• Right-hander Henry Sosa, one of the most promising pitchers in the Giants system, had surgery after last season to repair a torn patella tendon in his left knee. Sosa is throwing but he will not take part in the organization's minor league mini-camp, trainer Dave Groeschner said. If all goes well, Sosa could be cleared to compete in mid-April.

Sosa was the Giants' World Team representative in the All-Star Futures Game last July.

Giants Durham and Frandsen should have strong competition for 2nd base

Janie McCauley - Associated Press

When the position players report to Giants camp Monday, one of the most intriguing story lines will be the competition at second base, featuring relative newcomer Kevin Frandsen vs. incumbent Ray Durham.

The 25-year-old Frandsen, in the best shape of his young career after a rigorous offseason regimen, has said he plans to do all in his power to take the job - and San Francisco's brass will give him that chance. At 36, Durham begins his 14th major league season and a contract year looking to bounce back from a career-worst campaign in 2007 in which nothing seemed to go right.

Frandsen said the Giants told him before the offseason to prepare to play second, but the dilemma with Durham is that he's due to make $7.5 million in 2008.

"They said, 'Your play has shown us a lot, but obviously there is a little obstacle in front,"' Frandsen said. "It's one of those things that will play itself out. I don't think they needed to tell me to get ready for this season. I took a month off and that's about all I needed.

"I've experienced plenty around here, as far as situational stuff. I know there's plenty more to go, but hopefully a lot more good than just learning experiences. That's exciting for me to think about."

General manager Brian Sabean and manager Bruce Bochy have had plenty of chances to watch Frandsen in recent days considering he has been working out at Scottsdale Stadium with other early arriving position players.

Frandsen is lean, stronger and weighs 185 pounds this spring, down about five pounds from his 2007 playing weight.

Durham batted a career-low .218 last year in his fifth season for San Francisco with 11 home runs and 71 RBIs. Bochy is eager to see how Durham looks when he arrives.

"I am - to see where he's at physically and also see where his head's at," the Giants' second-year skipper said. "I will sit down with Ray when he gets here to talk about the situation we're looking at."
The switch-hitting Durham's down year followed his best season ever in 2006, when he hit .293 with career bests of 26 homers and 93 RBIs. The home runs and RBIs were the highest totals in franchise history by a switch hitter.

Frandsen, meanwhile, has played only parts of two major league seasons the past two years, but appeared in 109 games for the Giants in 2007 and batted .269 with five homers, 31 RBIs, 12 doubles and a triple.

"It's time now. That's the way I look at it. It's my time," Frandsen said. "I've proven myself and what I can do as an everyday basis as a regular."