This topic may have been discussed here before, but not recently, I believe.

I am wondering why the Giants, via Augusta, aren't playing Villalona at Third, instead of First.

Though he is certainly big, he seems to move very well (in terms of quickness) around First. He also seems to have a strong arm, though I don't know about accuracy. He made 18 errors at third in rookie ball last year, which is a high amount, but not necessarily indicative of an inability to play third, given his age.

Did any of you happen to watch him play third last year (or encounter credible reports from those who did)?

As we all know, the Giants have an organizational black hole at 3B. We at least have something at 1B, and could always convert Villalona later if needed.

The reports I've read on his play at 3B is that he is raw, but didn't address whether it is 'raw: forget about it' or 'raw: give it time'. Any thoughts?

Caveats + secondary thoughts:

The giants sort of have Gillaspie at 3b, but he hasn't signed yet (though likely will), and he seems a safe bet to be a Mueller type, there is no guarantee he will pan out as such. Plus, the move to 1B for Villalona occurred before the draft, so Gillaspie certainly wasn't a consideration.

I presume the Giants have given this some thought and decided against it, so perhaps he played poorly, but it just isn't clear that is so. I have also heard that they are open to playing him at 3B, and are not thinking he is set at 1B. Yet, if this is so,  why not play him at 3B, as it is an organizational need and premium position. It might be because they want him to have experience at both, (moving him back to 3B after this year), so there is flexibility depending on how the next few drafts play out.

On another note:

He's had a nice July. I recently saw monthly splits, but can't seem to locate the information again. I believe he's .270 something for the month, and I suspect his SO have decreased, though they are still high.