Learning experience continues for Giants
Andrew Bollinger, Daily Staff Writer
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The Giants - a class-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants - split the 2001 California League championship with the Lake Elsinore Storm (an affiliate of the San Diego Padres) after the playoffs ended prematurely because of the events of Sept. 11.
They enter the 2002 with a new manager as they try to defend their California League title.
The Giants enter Friday's game against the Stockton Ports (an affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds) in third place, with a 4-3 record in the North Division.
Even though the season is young, manager Bill Hayes said he likes what he has seen so far, and is optimistic his team will be successful.
"I think if we play with the intensity and the enthusiasm, and the things we can bring to the table, we'll be competitive."
Hayes said pitching, hitting and defense are all strengths of the club, but did point out one weakness - inexperience.
Many of the players are entering their first full season of professional baseball, having left college or signing a contract out of high school just last year.
"There's some guys that are at this level for the first time. We don't have a lot of guys with a whole lot of A-ball experience."
Hayes said the biggest thing for his players is getting used to playing at a higher level of baseball.
"The biggest part for me is everyday you come out here," outfielder Nick Wilfong said.
Shortstop Jamie Athas said professional baseball is a big difference from college ball.
"It's a longer schedule," Athas said. "You have to be more consistent. You have to deal with the trials and tribulations of playing every day. In college you play three of four times a week."
Despite having to make a big jump from college to the pros, Hayes is confident in his players.
"I think our guys are going to handle it pretty well," Hayes said.
Although the San Jose Giants have some talented pitchers, Hayes was in no rush to name an ace of his pitching staff, which could put added pressure on a pitcher, he said.
"The guys are all too young to be saying this guy is this and this guy is that. The ace is whoever is on the mound that night."
The Giants most notable pitcher is Elliot Brown, who was 4-0 with a 0.93 ERA in 29 innings for the Giants in 2001.
Other notable pitchers include San Francisco's 2001 first-round draft choice, Noah Lowry, and left-hander Erick Threets, whose fastball has been clocked as fast as 103 mph, according to the Giants front office.
Jackson Markert, who saved 39 games for the class -A Salem-Keizer Volcanoes of the Northwest League in 2001, was named the Rolaids Relief Champion for the minor leagues -awarded to the best closer.
The Giants are led offensively by third baseman Angel Chavez, who was hitting .370 with a triple through the first seven games of the year, and center fielder Jason Ellison, who was hitting .333 with a home run and five RBIs.
As far as having a clubhouse leader, Hayes said there isn't one guy who is made for that role, although he said Brown, outfielder Jeremy Luster, and San Jose State University Alumnus Mike Wright would be the closest to what the team has to a leader.
"Those three are the guys I'd say can fall into that roll," Hayes said. "They lead by example."
Even though the Giants are the defending co-champions, Hayes wasn't quick to point out any one team that his ball club had to watch out for in defending their league title.
"We look at them one game at a time," Hayes said. "Tonight's game is the most important game of the year."
Threets said the main goal every season is to move up in the organization -"To get to San Francisco" - but it is still important to try to win too.
"You always want to do what you can to help out the team, but as a player you've got to develop," Threets said. "You're working as a team, but developing as an athlete. You don't have fun out there (if you don't win). It's no fun losing."
Although the Giants won the league title last season, many of the current players were not on the team.
Wilfong, who spent a few weeks with San Jose last season, was not around at the end of the year when the team won the championship.
He said he wants to improve his career, but would also like to win for a change.
"Winning is very important," Wilfong said "I've never won a championship on any team, so that's a goal of mine."
He said statistics are not always important.
The outfielder said a team player can do a lot to help the team, even though he may not have great statistics.
Threets said the team has just as much talent as last year, and he feels more comfortable with his teammates, which is always good for the team, he said.
"Last year for me was a rookie year, so I wasn't really familiar with everybody. I think this year everyone knows everyone, so we're pretty close."
The Giants new manager, Bill Hayes, was a first-round draft choice of the Chicago Cubs in 1978.
He spent nine years as a minor league player and appeared in five major league games with the Cubs between 1980 and 1981.
Hayes comes to the Giants with 11 years of managerial experience in the minor leagues, including the past two with the Giants other class-A affiliate, the Hagerstown Suns of the South Atlantic league in Maryland.
Hayes led Hagerstown to post season appearances in each of his first two years in the Giants farm system.
