Giants add young trio to lineup

[Bear]

08/13/2008
By Chris Haft
MLB.com

HOUSTON -- The Giants made sweeping roster changes Wednesday, recalling first baseman Travis Ishikawa from Triple-A Fresno and purchasing the contracts of catcher-first baseman Pablo Sandoval and infielder Ryan Rohlinger from Double-A Connecticut.

To clear room for the additions, first baseman-outfielder John Bowker and catcher Steve Holm were optioned to Triple-A Fresno. Infielder Jose Castillo, San Francisco's primary third baseman for most of the season, was designated for assignment.

All three players promoted had been thriving offensively, fostering the Giants' hopes that they could bolster their limp hitting overall. Ishikawa was batting .312, Sandoval owned a .339 average and Rohlinger was at .296. Meanwhile, Bowker was hitting .115 (9-for-78) in his previous 24 games and had slumped to .247 overall. He had gone 96 at-bats without a home run. Castillo was batting .105 (4-for-38) over his last 10 games.

Rohlinger was pressed into service immediately, penciled into Wednesday night's lineup at third base and hitting second. He would become the 13th rookie to make his Major League debut this season, equaling the most in a year since the franchise moved to San Francisco in 1958. The 1996 club also featured 13 debuting rookies.


Big changes for the Giants. Thanks to McCovey we know about most of these new guys except Rohlinger. What's his story?:confused:

[McCovey]

Holy Cow! Of course I'm thrilled with Pablo Sandoval being called up. My gut feeling is that Sandoval will struggle for a bit until he gets adjusted to the major league pitching. But that's ok, many young players go through that. I think this is a major statement about Sandoval being the catcher of the future. Molina is signed through '09 so I can see Sandval being a backup or perhaps platoon with Molina. Also, Sandoval ahs played first base and third base in the minor. He's built like Prince Fielder, though, so I don't think third base is in his future.

I don't know much about Ryan Rohlinger. He;s not one of the Giants top rated prospects. He's 24 years old and just reached AA about five weeks ago.