ST Invitees

[love_that_reefer]

Former Giants pitchers Tyler Walker and Damian Moss along with six-year veteran hurler Sun-Woo Kim and first-round draft pick Tim Lincecum headline 26 players extended non-roster invitations to Spring Training.

General manager Brian Sabean announced Monday the invitees also include right-handed pitchers Scott Atchison, David Cortes, Daniel Giese, Justin Hedrick, Carlos Hines, Matt Palmer and Mitch Wylie; left-handed pitcher Ryan Meaux; catchers Stephen Holm, Todd Jennings and Guillermo Rodriguez; infielders William Bergolla, Julio Cordido, Tomas De La Rosa, Luis Figueroa, Justin Leone, Scott McClain, Ivan Ochoa and Chad Santos; and outfielders Brian Horwitz, Eddy Martinez-Esteve and Clay Timpner.

Lincecum, a slender but whip-strong right-hander, is perhaps the most intriguing newcomer after starring at the University of Washington and being named the 2006 Golden Spikes Award winner for collegiate excellence.

The 22-year-old logged a 2-0 record and 1.74 ERA over eight starts at Short-Season Class A Salem-Keizer and Class A San Jose, striking out 58 batters and holding hitters to a .127 average.

Walker, 30, a San Francisco native, is recovering from mid-year Tommy John elbow surgery on his right arm. He saved 23 games as emergency closer for the Giants in 2005 but was traded to Tampa Bay in late April last season.

Moss, also 30, has an interesting history, the Australia native joining San Francisco in 2003 after being acquired from Atlanta with Merkin Valdez for veteran Russ Ortiz. The left-hander was 12-6 for the Braves the previous year, but struggled with the Giants and was later traded to Baltimore with Kurt Ainsworth and Ryan Hannaman for Sidney Ponson.

Moss was suspended in 2005 for steroid use in the Minors and later pitched for the Long Island Ducks of the independent Atlantic League.

Kim pitched for Colorado and Cincinnati last season, compiling an 0-1 record and 12.51 ERA in eight games, including a start.

Hedrick appears to be on the Giants' fast track. He sported a 2.00 ERA and .182 average against in 56 relief appearances at San Jose and struck out 110 batters in 85 2/3 innings.

Jennings' and Rodriguez's chances to move up the ranks were helped when the Giants designated catcher Justin Knoedler for assignment when the club signed pitcher Barry Zito.

Horwitz is a proven hitter. The 24-year-old has a .328 career batting average and .400 on-base mark over three pro campaigns, twice won batting titles and hit .297 at San Jose, Connecticut and Fresno in 2006.

Injuries have curtailed outfielder Eddy Martinez-Esteve's career, playing only 27 games for Connecticut last season. He had hit .312 over his first three seasons as a pro.

Timpner, 23, is also a solid prospect. He batted .286 with Triple-A Fresno last year.

Expect Russ Ortiz's name to be on this list soon. I don't know why but he will get a shot too. Linecum will be the real story as he might compete for the closer's role along with Benitez and Wilson. I don't want him to as I want him to build his arm and be a starter for '08. Start him off in AA and then move him up gradually through the season. Walker and Moss have about a 1% shot of making the squad.

[love_that_reefer]

And what do you know. Right after I wrote that about Ortiz they sign his goofy ass. Let's all hope Sanchez has a strong showing this spring.