Spring Training Countdown - Number 1

During the course of this week, I will be counting down the reasons to get excited about Spring Training 2009. Pitchers and catchers report on Saturday, so let's count 'em down.

Number 1: Second Base Competition
At the end of last season, Brian Sabean declared Emmanuel Burriss the 2009 starting shortstop. A few months later, the Giants signed Edgar Renteria. It appears that the Giants don't think Burriss can handle short defensively yet and they have thrust him into a competition for the second base job. Some speculate that if he doesn't win the job, he could be sent to triple A to work at shortstop. Burriss is speedy and hit a whopping .283 in 240 at bats as a rookie. However, his slugging percentage (.329) was lower than his on-base percentage (.357). Burriss simply couldn't get extra base hits and has little pop. And his OBP was so high because he normally hits in the eighth spot where he would get fewer pitches to hit with the pitcher coming up next. But at 24, Burriss still has much room to grow with playing time. His competition?

Eugenio Velez was sizzling during Spring Training last year, but he struggled mightily during April. He was sent to the Minors and returned later in the season and improved his average to .262. He stole fifteen bases and has amazing speed. But the positives stop there. It appears that Velez just isn't a very good baseball player. He is a great athlete, but he has no baseball sense. He is a terrible hitter and struggles defensively wherever you put him. My verdict: pinch runner at best.

Juan Uribe was signed to a minor league contract a short time ago and will be used as a utility infielder if he makes the roster. He provides insurance at third if Sandoval struggles, but so does Aurilia. Uribe's value is probably as insurance at the two middle infield positions. Uribe has a little pop, and used to be regarded as a strong defensive player. At 29, he's lost a little of that defensive prowess, but he is easily the most seasoned of any of the second base candidates. My verdict: utility player if he makes the roster.

Kevin Frandsen was supposed to compete with Ray Durham for the second base job a year ago. He even had a shot at third before Omar Vizquel got injured. Frandsen was moved to short and struggled in a few Spring Training starts. As if it couldn't get any worse for Frandsen, he hurt his Achilles before the season started and had exactly one at bat in September. Frandsen can handle the job and has a little bit of pop in his bat. He also added some base-stealing to his repetoir in the offseason. Frandsen is probably Burriss's main competition. My verdict: start Frandsen and let Burriss get some more experience in Fresno.