SAN FRANCISCO - For six weeks, Giants players and coaches praised Steven Duggar's work ethic and desire to get better every day. Duggar did all he could to make the opening day roster, but there was nothing he could do about the schedule.
Over the first 11 days of the season, the Giants have two days off and could face six left-handed starters. That will mean a lot of starts for Austin Jackson, and in the end that meant Duggar didn't have a chance of lining up at Dodger Stadium on Thursday afternoon. He will begin the season in Triple-A, with veterans Gregor Blanco and Gorkys Hernandez backing up Jackson, Andrew McCutchen and Hunter Pence.
"We really watched him continue his development and progress," manager Bruce Bochy said of Duggar. "This kid really handled himself well. He's a pro and he worked his tail off. It wasn't something he did. With the way it sets up, we want him playing every day. He's a gifted center fielder, we know that. I just don't want him sitting at this point of his career."
Bochy went on to call Duggar a "really special player," and it seems likely that - should he get off to a good start in Sacramento - he's up in San Francisco soon. Duggar took the news in stride, saying he understands the situation. He's coming off a year in which injuries limited him to just 192 plate appearances.
"To be able to go down there and play every day, that's an important part to keep in mind," he said. "I think being able to play every day will benefit me long term, for sure."
As Duggar continues to progress, the Giants will lean on defense in their outfield. Blanco and Hernandez are glove-first players at this point of their careers, although Blanco should see time against right-handed starters. The Giants are aware that they have an older outfield, and Bochy has said he'll try to limit Jackson and Pence's innings when he can.
Blanco has appeared to be a lock for the team for weeks. He duplicated his 2012 effort, making the team as a non-roster invitee for the second time.
Sports
"It's awesome. It's great," he said, smiling wide. "It's a dream come true for me. It was hard to leave (for the Diamondbacks) last year but it's definitely a learning experience."
In addition to Blanco and Hernandez, the Giants will carry Nick Hundley, Pablo Sandoval and Kelby Tomlinson on their bench. The eight-man bullpen currently consists of Mark Melancon, Sam Dyson, Tony Watson, Hunter Strickland, Josh Osich, Cory Gearrin, Pierce Johnson and Roberto Gomez, although Melancon could open the year on the DL.
Johnson and Gomez were the last two to make it, and both benefited from the fact that they can throw two to three innings for a staff that doesn't have a designated long man. Johnson is a particularly cool story. He was part of the first round of cuts on March 12 but threw well in minor league camp and again when he was called up for spot duty with the big leaguers. In seven spring innings, he allowed just one hit.