SF Giants Rumors – Can Schierholtz Hold Down Right Field?
Posted on February 8th, 2010 by admin in SF Giants Rumors
Chris Haft of MLB.com says the status of Nate Schierholtz as the Giants Opening Day right fielder has shifted from “projected” to “likely” on Saturday. Brian Sabean endorsed Schierholtz based on his defensive prowess.
Now that Winn has moved on and signed with the New York Yankees. Sabean said: “You always need your best fielder in right field, and the only guy who really has a chance to do that against the standard of Randy Winn is Schierholtz.”
There is still a possibility that Andres Torres and Eugenio Velez could platoon in right field. The emphasis on Schierholtz as a right fielder means that John Bowker, thought to be a candidate for that position, must concentrate on left field and first base if he’s to earn playing time.
Sabean legitimized reports that the Giants are pursuing Todd Wellemeyer and Hisanori Takahashi, saying “we’re engaged with two “free agents. “I don’t know if we’ll get one or both,” Sabean added. Wellemeyer, 13-9 with a 3.71 ERA for St. Louis in 2008, slumped to 7-10, 5.89 ERA last year.
King of Cali thoughts: Nasty Nate has proven he can hold down the right field spot defensively. Let’s just hope he can hold down the spot with his bat as well. If Schierholtz is struggling bad at the plate. I can see this turning into a platoon situation. Bruce Bochy will want to go with the hottest hitter if it gets to that point. The Giants are going to need all cylinders firing at all times to try to generate as many runs as possible. It’s your job to lose Nate!
~King of Cali
Well I like the confidence that Brian Sabean has in Nate but, is he just buttering him up. We all know that Nate has above average defense but, the offense of production isn’t there yet. We he ever become the hitter we want. I have seen the likes of Fred Lewis, John Bowker, Andres Torees. I just don’t see it in Nate to ever become that great hitter. His age isn’t bad but it is definatly the make your break yr for him. I still think we should add a bat for a cheap price as a just in case batter.
Vince, you really haven’t seen any offensive promise in Nate? Do you remember in June when he was hitting above .300? The guy can handle left handed pitching better than most lefties, and seems to have a good understanding of how to hit to all sides of the field. I think he’s by far the best bet for the Giants in RF, and I could even see him having a breakout year this season.
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