Eli Whiteside

I would say Eli Whiteside begins the year as Molina's back-up with Posey down in Triple-A Fresno.  By-the-way: Torrealba sported a .351 on-base percentage and a .291 average in just 64 games with the Rockies last season, sharing time with Chris Ianetta. It's hard to really compare any other stats with fewer than half the number of at-bats, but Yorvit did manage to work 21 walks in just 213 at-bats. So, he would easily have more than 50 BB's with 500 A.B's. Barajas, meanwhile, had a descent season with the Blue Jays in 2008 as far as power numbers (19 and 71), but his batting average and on-base were dreadful in roughly the same number of at-bats. So, considering Bengie's familiarity with the Giants' pitching staff, and his overall better hitting, he was clearly the best choice of the three. The fourth choice, Miguel Olivo, had already signed with Colorado -- essentially replacing Torrealba.   Merkin Valdez, who was designated for assignment earlier last week, has been traded to Toronoto for cash considerations. Valdez just never realized his potential, but maintained a dominant fastball even after returning from Tommy John Surgery. The bullpen has depth, despite the departure of both Valdez and Bobby Howry. Brandon Medders, Sergio Romo, Dan Runzler, Waldis Joaquin, and even Joe Martinez can fill the void; bridging the gap to Jeremy Affeldt and closer Brian Wilson. We'll see how things shake out in spring training. There's about a half dozen other bullpen candidates, including one-time short stop Tony Pena, Jr.   So, one more time, let's view what the opening day line-up should look like (with the assumption that Aaron Rowand will lead-off): CF Rowand2B Sanchez3B Sandoval1B Huff LF De RosaC  MOLINASS RenteriaRF SchierholtzSP Lincecum  I would say pretty solid, but is there another potential right fielder out there with more experience? Is the team willing to spend any more money? I would say probably not because they still have to sign Lincecum who has asked for $13-million in salary arbitration for 2010 -- the Giants are offering only $8-million. He'll get at least ten, and probably closer to twelve. Regardless of Timmy's final number, that will boost the team payroll somewhere around 100-million-dollars, and that includes about five-million in deferred money to Barry Bonds.  So, although it would be nice to add an Eric Byrnes (Bay Area kid for probably for not much money), Xavier Nady (former Cal Bear, most recently with the Yankees), or Jermaine Dye (Sacramento kid and one-time Oakland Athletic), it just doesn't appear financially feasible. I believe it was me last season who said that Schierholtz deserves an extended look to prove himself. Now that Randy Winn is gone, it appears the time is now for Nate to play everyday in right field for the Giants. There is some young depth for the outfield as well with Andres Torres, Eugenio Velez, John Bowker, and (I would say very reluctantly) Fred Lewis.  

Continue reading ""Bengie Molina is Back in the Squat ..."

ion is: who will serve as his mentor?  Will Bengie Molina accept such a role?  What about Eli Whiteside? Probably not a good enough hitter to stick long-term -- he appears the odd man

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 Eli Whiteside has caught seven straight games (5-and-2 over that stretch), and needs some help if Bengie isn't ready to go very soon.  Posey was quite impressive in his first minor l

Continue reading ""Brad Penny on the Bump for the Giants""

to rely on guys like Ryan Rohlinger; just called up from Fresno (0-for-3 Wednesday night), or Eli Whiteside (batting .228 after also taking an 0-for-3).

  San Francisco only managed five hits Wednesday night as Doug Davis was cruising into the 8th-inning before things went terribly wrong.  A two-out rally that started with a walk to Renteria, and a clutch base hit for Randy Winn spelled the end of the night for Davis, despite throwing only 98 pitches.  Enter Chad Qualls, and enter Molina as a pinch-hitter for the number four hitter Ryan Garko.  Maybe a surprise that Bochy would make such a move in that situation, and we would all certainly be second-guessing had Molina grounded-out weekly to short.  As for Jonathan Sanchez, he pitched well enough to win (three runs on six hits and 9 k's over seven-innings), but got a really bad break on the catcher's interference call. against Whiteside in the 6th-inning.  That play ultimately led to a bottom-of-the-order rally, plating two runs off Sanchez. 

Continue reading ""Giants Go for the Sweep Over Arizona""

  

  How cool is this Eli Whiteside story?  The Giants' rookie back-up catcher, who plays sparingly behind Bengie Molina, has had some big moments in recent weeks.  After catching the Jonathan Sanchez no-hitter last month, Whiteside launched a grand slam today -- his first career home run -- helping the Giants to a 10-6 victory over the Astros.  San Francisco improves to 60-and-48, taking two of three games ON THE ROAD, and now return home to open a weekend set against Dusty Baker's Cincinnati Reds.  Thursday's off-day, by the way, is the first for the team since the all-star break in mid-July.

Continue reading ""The Giants Get it Done in Houston""

 And how about some props for catcher Eli Whiteside?  What a great job filling in for Bengie Molina behind the dish, and calling a great game for Sanchez.  As a matter of fact, let's not overlook Pablo Sandoval's three-run blast that put the game away and took a lot of pressure off Sanchez.  Sandoval, all-star or no: 14 and 53 to go with a .331 batting average.

Continue reading ""JOANATHAN SANCHEZ, ARE YOU KIDDING ME?""