The grass is green, the sun is out, and baseball season is about to begin. The Giants are set on improving from last season, and hope to reach the playoffs once again. Life does not get much better than this.
Five Days before opening day begins the Giants still have one major decision to make affecting their starting outfield. Who will play right field? Nate Schierholtz entered Spring Training as the leading candidate for the position. However, John Bowker has been racking the ball batting .308, and leds the team in homeruns, and RBIs with 5 and 20. On the other hand, Nate is hitting .241, with 1 homer, and 7 RBIs in 10 fewer at bats.
John Bowker is notorious with Giant fans about swinging the bat well against lower-level competition, but when it comes to the big show, he doesn't produce. Evidence is shown through his 2009 campaign. In AAA, Bowker batted .340 and won MVP of the Pacific League. HOWEVER, at the major league level he batted .194, with a measly .247 OBP. He also is strikeouts much more than Nate Schierholtz.
Schierholtz is incredible defensively. It would not be surprising to see him have multiple gold gloves before his career is over. He is fast, but not a basestealer. And for his size (6'2", 220 lbs) he lacks power. Last season in just about 300 ABs he hit 5 Homeruns. With the being said, he can still hit for a good, solid average, and can run the bases efficinetly.
With defensively liable players such as Aubrey Huff, and Mark DeRosa now in the starting lineup I believe the Giants should start Nate Schierholtz. His defernse is truly magnificent, and he can hit for average. With Fred Lewis now likely starting the year on the Disabled List, it appears that Bowker will begin the year with the major league club, and given a chance to earn more playing time.
