Capellan and Sanchez Impress Bochy

The Giants have only been through a couple workouts this spring, and with camp full of pitchers to scour over, Bruce Bochy has been particularly impressed with Jonathon Sanchez as well as 21-year old Rule 5 draftee Jose Capellan. Bochy mentioned Capellan's size and velocity as something that stuck out as well as Sanchez's improved command and mechanics. Capellan is listed on the Giants official roster as being 6'2" 170 pounds, but appeared in camp closer to 6'3" 250 pounds. Both Sanchez and Capellan are competing for a left-handed bullpen spot with Sanchez also in the mix for the fifth starters spot. Capellan has to make the roster out of spring or else he can be taken back by the Red Sox if they want him. I think this is a good year for the Giants to take a shot on a rule 5 guy and if Capellan shows he belongs during the spring, he should be given a bullpen spot, even if it's at the expense of veterans Jack Taschner or Steve Kline. Sanchez on the other hand, will be better suited to start the year off in Fresno's rotation rather than the Giants' bullpen if he doesn't beat out Kevin Corriea for the fifth spot in the rotation. I think it will be better for Sanchez's development if he can go out and throw 6-7 innings every 5 days rather than making an appearance or two per week out of the bullpen.

There were a bunch of positional players who showed up with the pitchers and catchers who got some work in over the past few days, even though the first full squad workout isn't scheduled until the 20th of February. Aaron Rowand, Kevin Frandsen, Nate Schierholtz, Rich Aurilia and Eugenio Velez were among the most notable players to show up early. Rowand has sort of taken on the role as team leader and seems to have embraced it very well. Frandsen has been a man on a mission ever since last season ended as he is preparing himself to play everyday someplace in the infield. He's added strength this winter and has been in Scottsdale since January working on his hitting. He stated earlier in the offseason that he's setting out to take the second base job from Ray Durham this spring. Frandsen also figures to be in the mix at third base as well, at least until the Giants make their likely trade for Joe Crede in March.