J Sanchez for the Giants...

Sanchez has always had the potential.  How many lefty starters out there who sit 92-94 MPH and can get it up to 96?  The only question was whether he needs a tad more seasoning due to being shuttled back and forth between the bullpen and starting and between SF and the minors.  If he continues to pitch like he did yesterday, no problem.  He should be in the rotation ahead of Correia and probably ahead of Lowry too.  Zito too, but that's a whole other story.

Jonathan Sanchez took another step toward opening the season in the Giants rotation today when Pat Misch, his main competition, allowed 8 ER in 0.1 IP as the Giants lost to the A's 10-2.

Velez got 2 more hits while Frandsen went 1 for 2 with a BB.

Nate Schierholtz probably took another step toward Fresno going   1 for 5.

Jack Taschner continued to pitch well.  

Alex Hinshaw had his second successful spring outing with a scoreless IP. More importantly, he did not give up a walk.  It will be interesting to see Where Alex lands this year.  He pitched very well in AA before getting shut down early last year.  If he continues to do well in spring appearances, maybe Fresno?  He's a LHP who throws in the low 90's.

Justin Hedrick, a longtime fave of the Giants Message Board, pitched 2 scoreless innings.  Hedrick has one of the better K/9's in the organization over the last 3 years, but has always tended to give up too many walks.  The Giants have never used him as a starter despite a multipitch repertoire.

Homer Bailey probably sealed his fate today by allowing 6 runs in 3.1 IP.

Todd Linden went 4 for 5 with a double to strengthen his bid to make the A's roster.

Jonathan Sanchez has indeed been jerked around the past two seasons.  The key for him is control.  When he first came up, he had it and pitched quite well.  He lost it and hasn't pitched consistenly well since.

His ceiling is high, and he could fit right in behind Lincecum and Cain as top-of-the-rotation guys.

The mechanical change he has made is not to drop his hands during his delivery.  The change has simplified his motion, and he has pitched well in his two starts since, likely leaving Patrick Misch in the dust for the temporary #5 spot.

Eugenio Velez was outstanding yesterday, and I hope he got to start at shortstop today in the split-squad game.  I don't expect Eugenio to hit, but he has been a TERROR on the base paths.

Perkin' Merkin Valdez pitched well, not great, today.  Brad Hennessey was excellent in relief of Barry Zito, who has yet to record his first strikeout of the spring (in 12 innings).

At the bargain price of just $126 million, I believe that is an infinite amount per strikeout, even higher than the roughly half million he will be paid for every start he makes as a Giant -- assuming he continues his fine health.

It looks like the Zito contract could turn out to be one of the worst (if not the worst) contracts in baseball history----I wouldnt be a bit surprised if Sanchez outpitches Zito this year and going forward------for about 20 million less this year!!! At this point, and when looking at this Giants team, as well as their relatively barren farm system (Villalona is at least 3 years away), is there an organization in baseball that's more poorly run-----Sabean must be prepared to take some serious heat this year!!
This is at best a 70 win team----and I'll take the under on that one!! I feel really bad for Lincecum and Cain, and badly for myself since I have both pitchers on my fantasy team-----wins will be VERY hard to come by with that pathetic lineup----ugh!!