Infield Update

Yes, another one.

The Giants made a huge cut this past week that brought them a step closer to the finalized 25-man roster.

Nick Noonan, sadly, was assigned to AAA Fresno. It's good for him, because he'll get a lot of at-bats and lots of playing time. As disappointed as I was, it's the best thing for him. He's only 23, so he's got time to perfect his swing and see lots of pitches. Despite his fantastic defense at multiple positions during the spring, he hit only .194 (although he went six for his last 19). I guess it's safe to say that his chance of making the Opening Day roster (barring some major injury to Pablo Sandoval) has been reduced to 0%. Although, if Sandoval goes down during the regular season, Noonan has a good chance of being called up as a back-up utility infielder. I'm still keeping my fingers crossed for this one.

Brock Bond was reassigned to Minor League camp, where he awaits his assignment for the regular season. We only know for sure that it won't be in San Francisco. The 27-year-old had a great offensive spring but struggled a bit defensively (and as if he's trying to confirm his own talent at the plate, as I'm typing this, he hit a run-scoring triple to tie the current game in the 9th).  He'll probably start the season in Fresno but could end up in Single A San Jose. Wherever he ends up, this is a big season for Bond. This will be his seventh year in the Giants minor league system, so if he's going to make a statement for himself, he'd better do it quick. But if he can improve his arm strength, or continues to hit like he did in the spring, he also has a shot at joining the Giants should an infielder need a break.

Brett Pill is also officially out of the running to make the 25-man roster. Pill had knee surgery this past week on his right meniscus. He's been spending some time playing left field and had a decent shot to begin the season with the Giants. Now, however, he's expected to begin the season on the disabled list. He's only expected to spend three to six weeks there, and then he'll most likely start in Fresno. Should Brandon Belt, Andres Torres, or Gregor Blanco get injured, Pill would probably be the Giants first choice to join the team in San Francisco.

Kensuke Tanaka still has an outside shot to claim the 6th infield spot, but it's looking more and more unlikely as the preseason goes on. He made a questionable, off-line throw to home plate today, during an inning where the Reds scored four runs. He was also 0-for-2, bringing his spring average to .220.

That leaves the likely candidate for taking over the sixth infield spot Wilson Valdez. The 34-year-old is currently hitting .231 with one double, two RBIs, and a .333 OBP. He's listed as a shortstop, but he's played six games at third base, six games at short, and two games at second, while committing zero errors. Valdez has played for five Major League teams since 2006: the Chicago White Sox, the Los Angeles Dodgers, the New York Mets, the Philadelphia Phillies, and, last year, the Cincinnatti Reds. He owns a .236 career batting average, with 107 RBIs in 439 games. He may not be the most promising future infielder for the Giants, but with the injury to Pill, Tanaka's sloppy play, and Tony Abreu's lack of play, Valdez could provide a need for a back-up infielder who can play a variety of positions.