Last exhibition game. Let this be the GameThread for it. But there's also roster news!
Brandon Belt is on the team, ostensibly to start, which is amazing. And amazing. And awesome. If he's up to be lefty power off the bench, this move would be hilariously awful, but I think he's starting. I think Huff is the starting left fielder. Gathering that Nate Schierholtz is going to be hosed for the fourth year in a row, deservedly or not.
Brett Pill made it as a right-handed hitter off the bench, which is a role he's suited for. Don't have a problem with this at all.
Hector Sanchez made the team as a backup catcher. Reading a lot about how it's a shame that his development will be stunted as a pinch-hitter, but backup catchers will play on this team. Sanchez will start every third game or so, if I had to guess. I don't think he could be worse than Whiteside or Stewart, and I think there's a good chance he can be better.
Gregor Blanco made the team. Reminder: dude has a .358 OBP in over 700 major-league at-bats, and he can play center. A .358 OBP! We finally have our own Reggie Willits!
Eli Whiteside is not on the team. This is sad in a sentimental way. Not a baseball way. But as a fan who remembers that there was a grey head bobbing up and down in the middle of the field at Rangers Ballpark at Arlington, I feel just a little bad.
Same thing with Stewart, who didn't make the team has been traded somewhere. On a team that will struggle to score, it's just too rough to have two pitchers at the bottom of the order. I like Stewart as a backup, but the Giants need a semi-starter to back up Posey.
Dan Otero made the team! If you haven't seen his minor-league stats, please take a gander. A K/BB ratio over six. I'm loving his chances of being a contributor. Seems like a good spot to mention that I was a huge Robbie Crabtree fan too.
All in all, it's almost a best-case scenario. I still would have preferred Fontenot over Burriss, and it isn't really close, but that isn't a difference worth getting too flustered over.
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