The day every Giant fan has been waiting for since the kid went down last May is finally coming. Bruce Bochy declared Thursday that he expects Buster Posey to start behind the plate in Friday's game, though how long the catcher will play is not certain.
Outside of that piece of news, the Spring is just speeding through, it seems like, as Lincecum made his 2nd spring start already on Wednesday, though it was one to forget. Timmy allowed 5 earned in 2 innings of work and was all over the place. Now, the Giants were still able to win the game though because they've gotten something in their first 5 spring games that they really had a hard time getting last season
and that is some offense. The guy who's been on an absolute tear, and is really starting to make an impact in the Giants lineup is the newcomer they're banking on really helping turn that offense around, Melky Cabrera. Not to put the players on the same stage or in the same category, but Cabrera essentially has to replace two people, in Beltran and Cody Ross, but if this spring start out is any indication, he looks like he'll indeed be a welcome addition to the offense. Melky's started out the spring going 8-14 with 2 HR, 3 2B and 4 RBI. 5 of his 8 hits have gone for extra bases and he's showing a little more punch than I thought he possessed. Now, I know it's still early spring and means essentially nothing in the grand scheme of things, but as I always say, I'd much rather have my players playing well in spring rather than stinking it up, and Cabrera has been the MVP early on. Brandon Belt and Crawford have each started out strongly as well, and Gregor Blanco (.364 Avg) looks to have the lead on the 4th outfielder spot.
But back to the big news of the day, and that is the announcement that Buster will be appearing for the first time in a game since May 2011, and he'll be doing it from the squat. That's what really surprised me. I was expecting the Giants to maybe ease him back into the lineup as a DH a few games, then maybe put him out at first to see how the leg holds, then, as the last step, put him behind the plate. However, it looks like they're getting right to business and this is nothing
but great news for Giants fans. It means the Giants training staff is so confident in Posey's rehab that they're green-lighting a start behind the plate as his first assignment back on the baseball field. It shouldn't come as too much of a surprise though, as he's been ahead of schedule and catching a lot of bullpen sessions and live BP's, but I wasn't expecting to see him catch Cactus League games until around the middle of the month. Another positive about this is it will give the Giants an idea of their catching situation sooner than later. It's still yet to be determined if they enter the regular season with 3 catchers or 12 pitchers, and right now, with Posey's ascendancy with his leg, I wouldn't be surprised if they felt confident in carrying just two, knowing a guy like Hector Sanchez or Eli Whiteside would be just a phone call and short flight away. All good things if your trying to put together a 25-man roster. Also, Brian Wilson is inching closer to his spring debut, which could come as soon as this weekend! Very good vibes going on in Giants camp right about now!
In-Game Note: After two in Thursday's game vs. San Diego, Giants up 1-0 with Madison Bumgarner starting that game. More game notes to come after the ballgame.
Outside of that piece of news, the Spring is just speeding through, it seems like, as Lincecum made his 2nd spring start already on Wednesday, though it was one to forget. Timmy allowed 5 earned in 2 innings of work and was all over the place. Now, the Giants were still able to win the game though because they've gotten something in their first 5 spring games that they really had a hard time getting last season
and that is some offense. The guy who's been on an absolute tear, and is really starting to make an impact in the Giants lineup is the newcomer they're banking on really helping turn that offense around, Melky Cabrera. Not to put the players on the same stage or in the same category, but Cabrera essentially has to replace two people, in Beltran and Cody Ross, but if this spring start out is any indication, he looks like he'll indeed be a welcome addition to the offense. Melky's started out the spring going 8-14 with 2 HR, 3 2B and 4 RBI. 5 of his 8 hits have gone for extra bases and he's showing a little more punch than I thought he possessed. Now, I know it's still early spring and means essentially nothing in the grand scheme of things, but as I always say, I'd much rather have my players playing well in spring rather than stinking it up, and Cabrera has been the MVP early on. Brandon Belt and Crawford have each started out strongly as well, and Gregor Blanco (.364 Avg) looks to have the lead on the 4th outfielder spot.But back to the big news of the day, and that is the announcement that Buster will be appearing for the first time in a game since May 2011, and he'll be doing it from the squat. That's what really surprised me. I was expecting the Giants to maybe ease him back into the lineup as a DH a few games, then maybe put him out at first to see how the leg holds, then, as the last step, put him behind the plate. However, it looks like they're getting right to business and this is nothing
but great news for Giants fans. It means the Giants training staff is so confident in Posey's rehab that they're green-lighting a start behind the plate as his first assignment back on the baseball field. It shouldn't come as too much of a surprise though, as he's been ahead of schedule and catching a lot of bullpen sessions and live BP's, but I wasn't expecting to see him catch Cactus League games until around the middle of the month. Another positive about this is it will give the Giants an idea of their catching situation sooner than later. It's still yet to be determined if they enter the regular season with 3 catchers or 12 pitchers, and right now, with Posey's ascendancy with his leg, I wouldn't be surprised if they felt confident in carrying just two, knowing a guy like Hector Sanchez or Eli Whiteside would be just a phone call and short flight away. All good things if your trying to put together a 25-man roster. Also, Brian Wilson is inching closer to his spring debut, which could come as soon as this weekend! Very good vibes going on in Giants camp right about now!In-Game Note: After two in Thursday's game vs. San Diego, Giants up 1-0 with Madison Bumgarner starting that game. More game notes to come after the ballgame.
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