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.
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