Picture courtesy of Marko Realmonte.
Today is day two of Spring Training for the San Francisco Giants pitchers and catchers. Position players will check in Friday, and Saturday will be the first full squad workout.
After Tim Lincecum had his first bullpen session yesterday, Lincecum said he’s “definitely ahead of where I was last year” in how his body feels and his delivery. Lincecum only threw on flat ground during the offseason to ensure good mechanics. (via Henry Schulman Twitter Links).
The big question at last year’s camp was how Buster Posey‘s ankle will hold up? After the year he put up (NL MVP), that’s not even in question anymore. However, Posey still does feel ankle stiffness, but that’s only when he gets out of bed. Once he’s up, his ankle loosens up quick, says Andrew Baggarly (via Twitter).
Baggarly also says (via Twitter) manager Bruce Bochy and Team USA‘s manager Joe Torre spoke today about the World Baseball Classic. Ryan Vogelsong will likely be Team USA’s number two starter.
Don’t forget to go to the SF Giants Rumors Facebook page to share your thoughts on Spring Training with over 3,000 other Giants fans!
~Steven Robles
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Today is the day that the San Francisco Giants pitchers and catchers are taking the field. Andrew Baggarly of CSNBayArea.com says (via Twitter) presumed Opening Day starter Matt Cain leads the first bullpen group. Catching prospect Andrew Susac gets to catch Jeremy Affeldt‘s bullpen session.
If you would like to get to know more about Susac; check out this SF Giants Rumors Interview With Andrew Susac.
Non-roster invitee Chad Gaudin is throwing to the National League’s MVP, Buster Posey. Gaudin is throwing hard in his first bullpen session, says Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle (via Twitter).
Gaudin is looking to impress in hopes of breaking camp with the Giants. He’s a good candidate for the long reliever role. He pitched in 46 games for the Marlins in 2012, and posted a 4.54 ERA.
Alex Pavlovic of the San Jose Mercury News (via Twitter) says Tim Lincecum‘s catcher for his first bullpen session is with Posey. I’m sure manager Bruce Bochy is going to try to pair them up as much as possible right now to get them working together and comfortable with one another.
Don’t forget to go to the SF Giants Rumors Facebook page to share your thoughts on all the Spring Training action. We also will have more tweets and pictures posted there as well.
~Steven Robles
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Credit: Steven Robles – SFGiantsBaseball.net
Today is the day we have all been waiting for! The San Francisco Giants pitchers and catchers reported to Spring Training. Position players are scheduled to report on Friday.
Andrew Baggarly of CSNBayArea.com says (via Twitter) the Dodgers and Reds were both interested in outfielder Andres Torres. Torres told his agent not to hold out for more money.
“San Francisco is home for me,” said Torres.
In another tweet, Baggarly says Torres will be playing in the World Baseball Classic. He will be on Team Puerto Rico with fellow outfielder Angel Pagan.
Just when you thought I was done with the Baggarly tweets, I’m not! He also had a tweet about reliever Javier Lopez. Lopez might not play in the World Baseball Classic with Team Puerto Rico, since he’s already experienced it in 2009. If Lopez doesn’t feel he’s ready or where he should be at the time he should start playing in the WBC; he’ll stay with the Giants in Scottsdale.
Don’t forget to go to the SF Giants Rumors Facebook page to share your thoughts on pitchers and catchers reporting to Spring Training!
~Steven Robles
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Credit: Steven Robles – SFGiantsBaseball.net
With all the players that we had access to Friday; here are more notes from San Francisco Giants Media Day.
Ryan Vogelsong believes there has to be a transition period for players to stop focusing on winning the World Series, and focus on the upcoming season.
“Obviously we’re riding high from the World Series, but the one thing that I think is important for us to realize is at some point we have to stop thinking about last year and start thinking about this year,” says Vogelsong.
Vogelsong went on to say that he thinks day one of Spring Training will be the day that he puts his focus towards the 2013 season. I guess that means tomorrow (February 12); since that’s the day Giants pitchers and catchers report to camp.
Outfielder Hunter Pence loves playing at AT&T Park. He compares it to a concert atmosphere and loves the energy and fans. Pence loved playing here even before he was traded to the Giants. He couldn’t stop giving praises to the Giants organization, players and coaching staff.
“I’d like to put on a little bit of weight you know, but it’s not necessarily the weight that’s gonna help me. It’s the strength with the weight, so pound-for-pound I want to be strong. I don’t just want to be 180 pounds soft,” said Tim Lincecum.
Don’t forget to go to the SF Giants Rumors Facebook page to share your thoughts on all the latest Giants News/Rumors!
~Steven Robles
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Credit: Steven Robles – SF Giants Rumors
Today is the day that really started to get my baseball juices flowing. I attended the San Francisco Giants Media Day at AT&T Park. I will get more in depth about the news I learned and interviews in the near future. Below is some notes from Media Day.
As you probably guessed; Hunter Pence was asked a lot of questions about his speech during the playoffs.
“I love this ballpark, it’s beautiful,” Pence said when asked about how he feels about AT&T Park.
Tim Lincecum says he’s definitely motivated this year. He believes that he needs to go after quicker outs, and doesn’t need to strike everyone out. He also had a trainer during the offseason. It’s also official that Lincecum is now rocking the short hair.
Barry Zito says on paper the Dodgers are the team to beat. He also pointed out that good pitching beats good hitting.
GM Brian Sabean says the Giants talked to infielder Ryan Theriot, but now there is no contact. Sabean also said the Giants will not offer anymore guaranteed contracts this offseason.
Buster Posey said he didn’t play for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic because he wanted to have a regular Spring Training. He also believes there will be a lot of pressure being the defending champions.
Brandon Belt has added a few pounds this offeason. When asked about being the starting first baseman…
“It’s my job to lose,” Belt said.
Jeremy Affeldt didn’t want to stay in the free agent market long. He didn’t want to lose the deal that the Giants had on the table for him by letting free agency drag out.
I will be updating more news and interviews from today’s Media Day soon!
~Steven Robles
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With Spring Training vastly approaching, Andrew Baggarly of CSNBayArea.com shared with us the San Francisco Giants non-roster invitees.
There is seventeen pitchers, five catchers, six infielders and two outfielders that have been invited to camp. These are the non-roster players. All players on the 40-man roster automatically receive big league camp invites.
Pitchers
Brett Bochy, Boof Bonser, Fabio Castillo, Edward Concepcion, Steve Edlefsen, Justin Fitzgerald, Chad Gaudin, Heath Hembree, Mitch Lively, Shane Loux, Josh Osich, Scott Proctor, Ramon Ramirez, Ryan Sadowski, Michael Kickham, Mason Tobin, Jose Valdez.
Catchers
Infielders
Outfielders
With some players leaving camp to play in the World Baseball Classic; it will be nice to seem some of these guys can do with their playing time.
~King of Cali (Steven Robles)
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Picture is courtesy of Marko Realmonte.
The San Francisco Giants have announced that they have reached a two-year agreement with closer Sergio Romo to avoid arbitration. The two year contract buys out Romo’s arbitration years. He will be eligible to be a free agent following the 2014 season.
Romo will get $9 million in his two-year deal; $3.5 million this year and $5.5 in 2014.
~King of Cali (Steven Robles)
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Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle recently caught up with San Francisco Giants manager Bruce Bochy. Schulman asked him questions about Pablo Sandoval, Tim Lincecum and Brian Wilson.
Bochy recently spoke to Sandoval over the phone and asked him about his weight. Bochy was satisfied with Sandoval’s answer (via Twitter).
The video I seen of Sandoval hitting a big home run in Venezuela looked like he didn’t shed many pounds this offseason (if any). I hope he’s not just assuming he’s going to put up big numbers. Half the battle for these guys is to have their bodies in the best possible shape.
Schulman also asked Bochy if he absolutely will tell Lincecum he will throw to Buster Posey this year. Bochy said he wants every pitcher to be ready to work with either catcher (Twitter Links).
Bochy might not want to tell Lincecum directly that he has to be ready to pitch to Posey, but he should address the team and say Posey is our guy behind the dish.
Bochy tells Schulman there’s nothing new on the Wilson front (via Twitter).
“I can’t say he’ll be back and I can’t say door is closed,” Bochy on Wilson’s status with the Giants.
I was hoping Wilson and the Giants would agree to a one year contract, but the end of their relationship seems more likely. Each day that passes is another day for the Giants to keep moving forward without him.
Don’t forget to go to the SF Giants Rumors Facebook page to share your thoughts on all the latest Giants News/Rumors!
~King of Cali (Steven Robles)
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It’s funny that now all three of these guys will be on the same team in San Francisco. It’s like the Giants let the Mets borrow these guys and gave us Pagan. I do love Ramirez back in our bullpen. I was sad to see them give him up in the trade for Pagan.
Ramirez pitched in 58 games for the Mets in 2012, and had a 4.24 ERA. I’m sure those numbers will improve at AT&T Park. Welcome back Ramirez!
The Giants made a move yesterday. No, it’s nothing to write home about. They picked up infielder Tony Abreu off waivers from the Royals. Abreu will need to battle at Spring Training to win a spot on the Giants bench. Claiming Abreu is just a way for the Giants to add infield depth. Abreu is a career .252 hitter, and really needs to improve with the stick if he’s looking to crack the 25-man roster.
Don’t forget to go to the SF Giants Rumors Facebook page to share your thoughts on Ramirez returning to the Giants, and claiming infielder Abreu!
~King of Cali (Steven Robles)
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Technorati Tags: Andres Torres, Angel Pagan, AT&T Park, Giants Hot Stove, Giants Trade Rumors, MLB Rumors Giants, Ramon Ramirez, San Francisco Giants, SF Giants News, SF Giants Rumors, SFG Rumors, Tony Abreu
Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-US PRESSWIRE
Outfielder Roger Kieschnick was the San Francisco Giants‘ third-round draft pick in 2008 out of Texas Tech. In ’09, Kieschnick was a Cal League All-Star and shined in San Jose hitting .296 with 23 home runs and 110 RBI. Since then however, Kieschnick has struggled with some nagging back injuries which limited him to only 60 games in 2010 and 55 games in 2012.
Before being sent to the DL last year in Triple-A Fresno, Kieschnick showed poise at the plate (.306 average) and good pop (15 home runs). With good speed, a good glove, and a strong arm Kieschnick is a potential 4 or 5-tool player but his time is running out. In 2013, the 26-year old right fielder will need to not only prove that he can stay healthy but that he can be counted on to contribute at the major league level. Below is an interview that I did with Kieschnick.
Stamati: When did you first realize you could play baseball professionally?
Roger Kieschnick: As a kid I played all sports growing up like most kids but I was a freshman in high school when I started focusing on baseball. I was playing football at the time and I was missing baseball practice to play football so that’s when I knew I had to make a decision to do one or the other. So I chose baseball and it has worked out for me.
Stamati: I’d say. Out of curiosity, what position did you play in football?
Roger Kieschnick: Mostly outside linebacker. A little tight end and receiver.
Stamati: What type of commitment did you have to make to baseball when you decided to play full time?
Roger Kieschnick: The high school I went to had a pretty good off-season workout program. You always just want to play at the next level so I set my sights on D-I and did what I could to get myself ready. As you grow, your goals change and now I want to play in the majors.
Stamati: Did you ever think this is just too hard?
Roger Kieschnick: No, not at all. I enjoy playing this game and I want to do it for as long as I can. It’s something I’ve done since I was little so I’ve never thought about that.
Stamati: How have you handled obstacles along the way?
Roger Kieschnick: My parents and my grandfather have been very influential in my life. They’ve always taught me right from wrong. Being a Christian has helped put things in perspective for me to choose the right path.
Stamati: So, you grew up in Texas and attended Texas Tech. Was that a dream of yours?
Roger Kieschnick: Actually, my mom and sister both went to the University of Texas. I watched them win the College World Series so I wanted to go there at first. They recruited me a bit but when I talked to them they had already signed two high school All-Americans to play outfield so I thought maybe I should look somewhere else. Texas Tech was right there, it’s in the Big 12, it’s a great school, and they had a great coach. They offered me a scholarship and the opportunity to play every day so I couldn’t turn it down.
Stamati: You were at Texas Tech when coach Bobby Knight was there. Did you go to the basketball games?
Roger Kieschnick: Oh yeah. We went to a lot of those games. Bobby Knight packed the house. Not just basketball though, I would go to volleyball, soccer, and every football game. It was a great environment.
Stamati: You hit a grand slam in your first game at college. What was that like?
Roger Kieschnick: Yeah it was my first game as a freshman so it was pretty sweet. It feels good to contribute every day.
Stamati: You’ve played on the US College National Team and have spent a few years in the minors now. What have those experiences taught you?
Roger Kieschnick: It’s been a good experience. You can always learn more anytime you can play with other players who have a lot of talent. I’ve been fortunate in that way. Whether it’s just from getting advice or watching other guys working hard just going about their business. It’s helpful.
Stamati: What drives you to succeed in high pressure situations?
Roger Kieschnick: The thrill of knowing that you have the opportunity to do something special. It’s the great thing about this game. There are highs and lows. It’s a lot of fun.
Stamati: What does it feel like when you’re in the zone?
Roger Kieschnick: It’s great. You’re seeing the ball well and swinging at good pitches. The stars are lined up for you.
Stamati: Since college, you’ve spent time tinkering with a changing your swing. How hard is that to do?
Roger Kieschnick: It’s a long process about trying to feel comfortable at the plate while also being consistent. It’s something I’ve worked on for a long time and it’s gradually gotten to where it is now. You always have to work on your swing.
Stamati: What advice would you give to youngsters out there who hope to play ball one day?
Roger Kieschnick: Keep going. You have to work hard and play as much as you can. It’ll help.
~Stamati Horiates
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