San Francisco Giants’ Pat Burrell, Aubrey Huff, Brandon Belt, DeRosa and Schierholtz for left field
The San Francisco Giants are looking at players Pat Burrell, Aubrey Huff, Brandon Belt, Mark DeRosa and Nate Schierholtz to fill the vacant left out-field position. The Giants have a lot to contend with and their recent track record will need to be held
to draw the same kind of excitement it did last year. Manager Bruce Bochy has been careful to decide who plays in that position on the opening day.
"These aren't going to be easy decisions, believe me," Bochy said. "They always tell you that's a good problem."
The club’s left field position ranked 5th in the National League, during the 2010 Major League Baseball campaign. The problem the club is facing is to decide which player will fill the vacant spot this year, as no option overtakes the other in
terms of contribution and diversity. The team has options in players like Pat Burrell, Aubrey Huff, Brandon Belt, Mark DeRosa and Nate Schierholtz.
DeRosa was last year’s opening day left fielder. His wrist surgery took him out of the equation. Belt is a rookie who can fit in to the position, if his spring training exhibition puts him in the limelight. Shierholtz has a knack for playing well in the
right field position. His 1,531 Major League appearances make him a credible player. Huff is someone who the team cannot go on without, as his entrance will add to hitting potential.
Burrell is the leading candidate with the performance he has had with the club, last year. The player was the regular left fielder, last season.
Bochy can however fit in Andres Torre to the left field from right field if the decision needs to be made.
The Manager is allowing the players to prove their mettle in the Cactus League exhibitions, as there are various options lined up. Burrell, nevertheless, statistically holds the lead for the position of left field, with 51 Runs Batted In, 18 homers and an
on base plus slugging percentage of .873 from 96 games in 2010.
"I'm going to push it, just like I did when I got here in June," Burrell said. "There's no guarantees. I'm thrilled just to be back. Do I want to play? Of course. That's why you sign up. But I understand the situation. (Bochy) has some tough decisions to
make."
It will be interesting to see who Bochy picks up this spring. Most feel that it will be Burrell, but nobody really knows what Bochy will decide in the coming days.
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