Spring Training 2013

Larry Baer Greeting the fans

We attended two games at Surprise and one in Goodyear during our too short of  a stay in Arizona.  The weather was beautiful and the hospitality of the people of Arizona was exceptional.  My wife suffers from COPD which effects her breathing and at both parks they made sure she had a wheelchair to and from her seat..  Monday afternoon crowds at Surprise are usually around 5,000 but when the Giants came with their varsity players, the big boss Larry Baer  and Orange and Black dressed fans the stadium was filled to a capacity of 10,025.  Surprise continues to be one of my favorite and unique major league ball parks in Arizona since they do not charge for parking, programs are half the price of other parks and all seats between 1st and 3rd base are in the shade during afternoon games as shown in above picture.  A stay in Arizona would not be complete without a delicious prime rib dinner at Don & Charlies in Scottsdale.  The restaurant is complete with baseball memorabilia and attracts many celebrities.  While we were waiting  for our table, incidentally the same one we had two years ago,  we happened to see a picture of the Giants broadcasting crew of Miller, Fleming, K and K on the wall while Milwaukee Brewers comedian and broadcaster Bob Uecker came through.

The Players insisted on a window

Missing from our hotel this years were members of the Cleveland Indians.  The price of the hotel rooms have doubled in the last three years which has become too high for the Indian farm hands. We discovered that many of the Indian minor leaguers are living in what is being called Wigwam City which is located off of McDowell Street  in Goodyear. 

After watching a couple games, seeing a few games on TV  and observing the Giants during the spring here are my up to date comments on the team.

Pitching:   Leading candidate for the long relief job Chad Gaudin does not impress me.  Dan Runzler looks like a keeper this year

Nick Noonan at Goodyear Park

Infield:  Theriot's spot on the roster is still open.  I personally thought Nick Noonan with some power hitting might get the job but  he was optioned to Fresno.  The other candidates have not impressed.

Outfield:  The fifth outfield job is between Cole Gillespie and Francisco Pequero.  Pequero has really improved over last season since he has learned to hit to right field and has had a very good spring.  The Giants hopes Gillespie gets enough hits to make the team so Pequero can be optioned to Fresno and play everyday.  If he continues to hit in AAA then bring him up in May or June.

Catcher:  Sanchez the big surprise last year had had a horrible spring with injuries which may open a spot on the roster.  Johnny Monell has hit the cover off the ball but he is very weak defensively.  There is an outside chance he could make the team as a third string catcher and pinch hitter deluxe.

Prospects :  I believe the Giants have a number of promising prospects.   I would send Adam Duvall to Richmond and also see if he can play some outfield in addition to third base.  Rudy Oropesa and Juan Perez also showed some pop in their bats and will prove interesting to watch in the coming months. Gary Brown played just a couple of innings I did not get a chance of form an opinion.

Homer Sweeney
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