Callup Notes

The Giants have started expanding their roster with September call-ups from AAA Fresno, and will continue to do so over the next week or so as Fresno's season winds down. So far, none of the call-ups have been too surprising and it's been mostly players who were up with the team at some point earlier in the season.

There are two guys who have an outside shot at being called up that I hope make it. I would like to see Eugeno Velez and Travis Blackley both up with the Giants once the Grizzlies season comes to an end. The 25 year-old Velez has put together his second solid minor league season in a row combining to hit .300 with 54 stolen bases at both AA Connecticut and in Fresno and earned a trip to the AA all-star game. He has the same sort of game as Rajai Davis, but can switch hit and has a more potent bat. The only thing about his season that sticks out is his huge drop off in the power department. After collecting 64 extra base hits (14 long balls) in Single A last year, he has dropped down to 27 this year and only 1 has left the yard. Other than that, he's been causing problems on the base paths all year long in the minor leagues and I think he should be given an opportunity to see some big league time this year.

Travis Blackley should also be given a shot at starting a game or two. Blackley has had sort of an up and down year in Fresno this season, but he has been pitching well of late. He's gone 7 innings in 4 of his last 6 starts and in those outings he has been very impressive. He is probably 4th in line for starts at this point behind Kevin Corriea, Jonathon Sanchez and Pat Misch, but he also is the only guy who has been used exclusively as a starter during his career and it shows in is ability to get deep into ballgames. Corriea has pitched well in his two starts and has earned the opportunity to continue getting them. Jonathon Sanchez threw well in his first start of the year on Saturday too, so he has put himself in position for more as well. However, with the Giants resting Noah Lowry and Tim Lincecum a little bit, they are going to need at least another guy to step in and start a few games and I think Blackley should be next in line.