Giants Sorting Out the Outfield

Outfield selection starts at Spring Training

SCOTTSDALE, AZ -- When the Giants made their final out in Texas to capture the World Series, Cody Ross and Aaron Rowand missed the initial dog pile after careening into each other while celebrating in the outfield.

The look of the Giants outfield took many different forms throughout last season and especially into the postseason. Spring Training in Scottsdale will offer many new looks on the path to seeing what sticks for Opening Day and beyond.

Giants manager Bruce Bochy has nothing set in stone this early in Spring Training, but Ross should roam right field more often than not, and Andres Torres should man center field, yet Bochy has said that the job in center has not yet been won.

Rowand will likely resume a backup role and it would be surprising if that was anywhere other than center. Since 2004, he hasn’t played a position other than center field. Another option is Nate Schierholtz, who has focused on right field, yet will be counted on to play any of the three spots.

Bochy has said that Mark DeRosa, who will get most of his Cactus League action in the infield, could challenge Pat Burrell for time in left field. Platooning players primarily in left, but for that matter, any of the outfield spots will be a Bochy staple in 2011 and it all starts in Spring. 

Laurence Scott is part of the team working on an NBC Bay Area Sports ‘Giants Spring Training Special’ and will have nightly reports on television and the web from Scottsdale.


 

Contact Us