Split-Squads Give Minor Leaguers Opportunity
 
By Joe Ritzo
3/17/2008
Several Former San Jose Giants Received Playing Time Last Weekend
The San Francisco Giants participated in split-squad spring training games last weekend and to fill out the roster, several minor leaguers were called-up to major league camp. Among the newcomers were multiple pitchers who once called Municipal Stadium home along with a pair of hitters who may get a chance to play with San Jose during the 2008 season. Split-squad games also give players who have received little playing time of late, such as Travis Denker and Manny Burriss, an opportunity for extended action. Both Denker and Burriss found their names in the starting lineup on Sunday in San Francisco’s 13-3 loss to the Kansas City Royals. Denker hit third in lineup and recorded one double in four at-bats. The 22-year old continues to play both second and third base and is likely ticketed for either Fresno (AAA) or Connecticut (AA) this season. Overall this spring, Denker is batting at a .194 clip (6-for-31) with two doubles, a home run, and six RBI. Meanwhile, Burriss got the nod at shortstop on Sunday and went 0-for-3 at the plate. The speedy infielder is now batting .238 (5-for-21) with a double and two RBI in spring action. In Saturday’s split-squad game against the Oakland Athletics, three minor leaguers were given a chance to pitch out of the bullpen. Among the trio, Justin Hedrick, a San Jose Giant in 2005 and 2006, posted the top numbers. Hedrick fired two scoreless innings in the contest with two hits allowed, no walks, and two strikeouts. Hedrick is coming off back-to-back impressive seasons in San Jose (2.00 ERA) and Connecticut (2.14 ERA) and may get a shot at the Pacific Coast League this year. For his career, the 25-year old right-hander has averaged well over a strikeout per inning pitched. Alex Hinshaw (2006 San Jose Giant) garnered his second major league spring appearance in Saturday’s game as the southpaw worked a scoreless inning of relief. Hinshaw has now thrown two innings with San Francisco this spring without allowing a run. Finally, Garrett Broshuis was the first pitcher used out of the bullpen against the A’s and the right-hander surrendered two runs on six hits in 1 2/3 innings. Broshuis, a key starting pitcher on the 2005 championship squad in San Jose, has spent the last two seasons in Double-A. Ryan Rohlinger and Garrett Baker made the most of their opportunities last weekend at the plate. Both players could potentially suit up for the San Jose Giants in 2008 and each came through with big hits in split-squad action over the past couple of days. Baker earned the start in Sunday’s Kansas City game and delivered an RBI single early in the contest. He started in left field and finished 1-for-3. The 24-year old hit .308 with seven home runs and 64 RBI for Salem-Keizer (Short-Season) last season and is a candidate for the left field position in San Jose this year. Spring success has been nothing new for Rohlinger as the third baseman came off the bench against Oakland and went 1-for-2 with a double and three RBI. Rohlinger, who belted a pinch-hit grand slam in his first major league spring training at-bat a couple of weeks ago, is now hitting .500 (4-for-8) in limited action. Last season, Rohlinger hit .235 with 31 doubles, 18 homers, and 78 RBI for Augusta (Low-A). ORTMEIER LOSING GRIP ON FIRST BASE 2003 San Jose Giant Daniel Ortmeier entered spring training as the top candidate to take over full-time duties at first base in San Francisco. The 26-year old impressed with the major league team last season when he hit .287 with six home runs in 157 at-bats. A converted outfielder, expectations were high for Ortmeier this spring as he made the transition to first base. But the switch-hitter has failed to find his groove in spring action, despite playing nearly everyday. In 16 games, Ortmeier is batting just .178 (8-for-45) with only one RBI. He’s also struck out 12 times – tied for the team-lead. Veteran utility player Rich Aurilia (.343 spring batting average) may see more playing time at first base during the final weeks of spring training. SHORTSTOP UPDATE Brian Bocock continues to garner substantial playing time at the shortstop position, but the defensive star remains in an offensive funk. Bocock, the headline player during early spring training games, has recorded just two hits in his last 28 at-bats. Overall, Bocock is now batting .171 (7-for-41) with no extra-base hits. Still, based on innings played, Bocock figures to be the leading candidate to fill-in for the injured Omar Vizquel during the opening week or two of the major league season. Burriss (21 at-bats) and Ivan Ochoa (2-for-15, .133 AVG) have received far less playing time at shortstop in recent spring games.