Skip to main content

CSN Bay Area

HOME  >  NEWS  >  SPORTS
Five storylines to watch as Giants pitchers and catchers report
Share This Post
Comments
Tuesday, February 17, 2015 - 8:00am
Follow @@AlexPavlovic

Editor's note: Giants Insider Alex Pavlovic arrives in Arizona Tuesday and covers the Giants all spring training long, right here on csnbayarea.com   

As Angel Pagan slumped through his first spring with the Giants, he shrugged off every question about his low batting average, saying his only concern was being ready for Opening Day. Pagan was right. His slow start wasn’t actually much of a big deal, and he went on to hit .288 in 2012.

Not all spring concerns can be brushed off, though. Freddy Sanchez was wrapped in ice during that same 2012 camp and Brian Wilson kept throwing on hidden minor league fields, not in Cactus League games. Sanchez never ended up seeing the field during the regular season and Wilson pitched just twice before his elbow gave in. Marco Scutaro had a similar experience last spring, getting more injections than at-bats during the first six weeks of what was ultimately a lost season. 

Then there are the goofy stories that lighten the mood on slow days (of which there are many in February and March). Like, Andres Torres racing to the parking lot in full uniform to save his Lamborghini from a rare hail storm in Scottsdale two years ago, or 6-foot-8 Kameron Loe and 5-foot-11 Tim Lincecum swapping pants one morning last spring. 

You can’t predict those types of stories, but we can try and figure out what we’ll be talking about most often this spring. Here are five storylines to watch as pitchers and catchers report … 

1) Groeschner’s Guys: Some big names were in the trainer’s office last season, and the Giants need the likes of Matt Cain and Pagan to be healthy if they are to return to the postseason. Cain says he feels great after having bone chips removed from his elbow and ankle, but he’ll likely be a few days behind the other starters as camp starts. Pagan was a no-show at FanFest, but said in October that he would be a full go in spring training following rehab for back surgery. Tim Hudson (ankle surgery) is at least a couple of weeks behind his normal pace, but he believes he has enough time to prepare for Opening Day. 

Some young players are on the comeback trail, too. Hector Sanchez has been cleared to catch after concussions ended his 2014 season and opened the door for Andrew Susac to grab the spot behind Buster Posey. High-upside prospects Mac Williamson (power outfielder) and Derek Law (power right-hander) are recovering from Tommy John surgery.

2) Madison’s Mileage: The game’s best big-game pitcher says his arm feels like an arm, and the Giants insist they’re not worried. Still, Bumgarner threw 292 2/3 innings last season from the start of camp to the final pitch of the World Series, and he’ll be watched closely. 

3) Sophomore Slump or Sophomore Surge? Second baseman Joe Panik is as locked into a starting spot as any player with 287 plate appearances can be, so he’ll have an opportunity to relax a bit and work on the finer points of his game. The Giants believe there’s more pop in Panik’s bat, and the thin air in Arizona might help the 24-year-old find it. Susac has the inside track on the backup catcher spot, but Sanchez is said to be in good shape and has won spring competitions before. Matt Duffy is another second-year player coming off a long year, and he’s put on muscle in a bid to impress in his first big league camp. The most intriguing sophomore may be Hunter Strickland. If he has moved past his rough October — and all indications are that he has — Strickland could win a job this spring with his stuff and tenacity. Remember, a year ago he was still recovering from Tommy John surgery. 

4) The Next Generation: Hudson is likely to retire after this season and Ryan Vogelsong and Tim Lincecum will be free agents. The Giants likely will be looking for at least two starters, and as we learned again this offseason, pitching is expensive. The Giants will pay about $70 million for this season’s staff, but there’s a way to balance that budget: Find a young starter or two. Lefty Ty Blach (24) and right-handers Clayton Blackburn (22) and Kyle Crick (22) pitched at Double-A Richmond a year ago and will be in camp as non-roster invitees for the second straight spring. Crick has the highest ceiling but Blach and Blackburn are viewed as closer to big-league ready, and it’s possible one of them could be needed at some point this summer. They’ll all have an opportunity to make some noise this spring. 

5) Lincecum or Vogelsong? When Vogelsong returned to the Giants last month, general manager Brian Sabean said, “We’re going to put the best people out there.” So, who becomes the best choice for the fifth spot in the rotation? Vogelsong signed knowing that he could be headed for the bullpen, but management has left the door open for the right-hander to win a rotation spot. If the others are healthy, he’ll be competing with Lincecum, who has trouble keeping the ball down in the desert and never puts up good numbers in the Cactus League. Either way, a well-known right-hander is headed for the bullpen, so expect this one to come down to the wire.

Catch Giants Insider Alex Pavlovic tonight on Raising Arizona at 6:30 and 10 p.m on Comcast SportsNet Bay Area

NBCBayArea.com

There is no data to display.

Video

Shot of the Game: Weber blasts shot past Stalock, Sharks
McLellan: 'We've got to clean up lot of things defensively'
Highlights: Sharks rocked by Predators in Music City
After giving up five goals, Irwin puts onus on defense

Giants

Dodgers' Jansen out 8-12 weeks following foot surgery
Red Sox's Sandoval 'excited to be in white and red'
Former Giants 3B coach Wendell Kim dies at 64
Around-the-horn look at NL West offseason moves
Read More

Athletics

Zito back with A's part of Beane's next movie plot
Source: Zito agrees to minor league deal with A's
Former A's 1B Jason Giambi announces retirement
Five questions for A's to answer entering spring training
Read More

Sharks

Shot of the Game: Weber blasts shot past Stalock, Sharks
Rewind: Sharks continue to break down in loss to Preds, Rinne
Instant Replay: Predators chew Sharks up, cruise to 5-1 win
Braun set to return as Sharks visit Preds
Read More

49ers

Combine preview: Context, perspective key in evaluations
Chiefs release former 49ers WR Jenkins
Aldon Smith puts San Jose house up for sale
Mayock: Baalke, 49ers will seek big, physical in draft
Read More

Raiders

Mayock: Expect Raiders to select receiver with No. 4 pick
NFL combine important step in pivotal Raiders offseason
Raiders not expected to use franchise tag
Report: Raiders 'expected to pursue' Broncos DT Knighton
Read More

Warriors

Report: Draymond has 'significant interest' in joining Pistons
Report: Stoudemire commits to Mavs after leaving Knicks
Klay Thompson shares glimpse of All-Star life in New York
Jermaine O'Neal: 'Time isn't right for me to play now'
Read More

NCAA

Olympian Missy Franklin wrapping up Cal career
No. 11 Utah runs away from California 76-61
Nastic, Stanford fall short in Boulder, lose to Colorado
Spartans can't contain Adams, fall to Wyoming
Read More
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLB Standings
  • Amy G
  • Insider Alex Pavlovic
  • Buy Giants Gear
  • Buy Giants Tickets

Latest News

Dodgers' Jansen out 8-12 weeks following foot surgery
(2)
Associated Press

GIANTS VIDEO

Assistant GM Bobby Evans evaluates Giants short offseason
Assistant GM Bobby Evans evaluates Giants short offseason
See more >

GIANTS INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLB Standings
  • Insider Joe Stiglich
  • Buy Athletics Gear
  • Buy Athletics Tickets

Latest News

Zito back with A's part of Beane's next movie plot
(6)
Ray Ratto

A's VIDEO

YSTL: A's biggest storyline heading into 2015...
YSTL: A's biggest storyline heading into 2015...
See more >

A's INSIDER

  • Source: Zito agrees to minor league deal with A's
  • Five questions for A's to answer entering spring training
  • Spring of Mystery about to begin for Melvin, A's
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NHL Standings
  • Insider Kevin Kurz
  • Buy Sharks Gear
  • Buy Sharks Tickets

Latest News

Shot of the Game: Weber blasts shot past Stalock, Sharks
CSN Bay Area staff

SHARKS VIDEO

Shot of the Game: Weber blasts shot past Stalock, Sharks
Shot of the Game: Weber blasts shot past Stalock, Sharks
See more >

SHARKS INSIDER

  • Harbaugh sticking with Akers
  • Patriots far from one-dimensional
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NBA Standings
  • Insider Monte Poole
  • Buy Warriors Gear
  • Buy Warriors Tickets

Latest News

Report: Draymond has 'significant interest' in joining Pistons
(44)
CSN Bay Area staff

WARRIORS VIDEO

YSTL: How much should Warriors spend to keep Draymond?
YSTL: How much should Warriors spend to keep Draymond?
See more >

WARRIORS INSIDER

  • A's Bob Welch was OK in my book
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NBA Standings
  • Insider Bill Herenda
  • Buy Kings Gear
  • Buy Kings Tickets
  • Channel locations

Latest News

Karl considering Payton, former head coaches for Kings' staff
(1)
Bill Herenda

Kings Video

YSTL: Karl hopes to 'rebuild and re-engerize' Kings organization
YSTL: Karl hopes to 'rebuild and re-engerize' Kings organization
See more >

KINGS INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NFL Standings
  • Insider Matt Maiocco
  • Buy 49ers Gear
  • Buy 49ers Tickets

Latest News

Combine preview: Context, perspective key in evaluations
Rotoworld.com

49ers VIDEO

YSTL: Harbaugh speaks out on parting with 49ers
YSTL: Harbaugh speaks out on parting with 49ers
See more >

49ers INSIDER

  • Mayock: Baalke, 49ers will seek big, physical in draft
  • Sources: If 49ers hired Gase, Fangio would have stayed
  • Gore needs to know if 49ers want him back
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NFL Standings
  • Insider Scott Bair
  • Buy Raiders Gear
  • Buy Raiders Tickets

Latest News

Mayock: Expect Raiders to select receiver with No. 4 pick
(19)
Scott Bair

RAIDERS VIDEO

Raiders' Jones-Drew, Carrie help with youth football camp
Raiders' Jones-Drew, Carrie help with youth football camp
See more >

RAIDERS INSIDER

  • Mayock: Expect Raiders to select receiver with No. 4 pick
  • NFL combine important step in pivotal Raiders offseason
  • Raiders not expected to use franchise tag
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLS Standings
  • MLS Player Leaders
  • Buy Quakes Gear
  • Buy Quakes Tickets

Top Story

Soccer star makes statement by wearing 15 temporary tattoos
Associated Press

Quakes Video

Wondolowski reflects on his World Cup experience
Wondolowski reflects on his World Cup experience
See more >

Shop

JOE STIGLICH

Source: Zito agrees to minor league deal with A's
(4)
See more >

ALEX PAVLOVIC

Around-the-horn look at NL West offseason moves
(3)
See more >

MATT MAIOCCO

Mayock: Baalke, 49ers will seek big, physical in draft
(125)
See more >

SCOTT BAIR

Mayock: Expect Raiders to select receiver with No. 4 pick
(19)
See more >

MONTE POOLE

You're crazy if you even try to root against Stephen Curry
(21)
See more >

BILL HERENDA

Karl considering Payton, former head coaches for Kings' staff
(1)
See more >

KEVIN KURZ

Rewind: Sharks continue to break down in loss to Preds, Rinne
(2)
See more >

RAY RATTO

If Draymond wants to go home, he has to go through Steph first

ALL-STAR TEACHER

Nominate your favorite All-Star Teacher today!

SATURDAY NIGHT ON ICE SHARKS POSTER!

more

Click here to find out how to win a Sharks collectors edition poster!

AUTHENTIC FAN THURSDAY

Click here to buy your Sharks tickets in the Authentic Fan Thursday section!



NCAA

Spartans can't contain Adams, fall to Wyoming
Waldow leads Saint Mary's to 2OT win over San Diego

MORE

  • SaberCats
  • Fight Sports
  • Motor Sports
  • GolfChannel.com
  • Tennis
  • Ray Ratto

 

TICKETS

  • Giants Tickets
  • A's Tickets
  • 49ers Tickets
  • Raiders Tickets
  • Warriors Tickets
  • Kings Tickets
  • Sharks Tickets
Curry Jersey
Giants Fitted Hat
49ers Hoodie

Mega Menu: Shop

  • Giants
  • A's Shop
  • 49ers
  • Raiders Shop
  • Warriors
  • Kings Shop
  • Sharks Shop

Mega Menu: Shop - Tickets

  • Giants Tickets
  • A's Tickets
  • 49ers Tickets
  • Raiders Tickets
  • Warriors Tickets
  • Kings Tickets
  • Sharks Tickets

Latest Videos

Shot of the Game: Weber blasts shot past Stalock, Sharks
Shot of the Game: Weber blasts shot past Stalock, Sharks
See more >

ONLINE SHOWS

  • Carpool Confessions
  • Amy G’s Exclusives
  • Buster Knows Squat
  • Humm BB
  • Bullshootin'

TV SHOWS

  • All Videos
  • SportsNet Central
  • Yahoo SportsTalk Live

INSIDERS

  • Ray Ratto - Senior Insider
  • Matt Maiocco - 49ers
  • Scott Bair - Raiders
  • Monte Poole - Warriors
  • Bill Herenda - Kings
  • Kevin Kurz - Sharks
  • Joe Stiglich - A's
  • Alex Pavlovic - Giants
  • TV Schedule - Bay Area and California
  • Channel Locations - Bay Area
  • Channel Locations - California