Gia is Nails

[ABC]

Late and close is his time.

[NrM]

hit .365 last year late and close.

[LAAFANofLA]

Not going to argue. Gia loves the pressure

[Stradling]

If he continues to play tough D he will be very valuable.

[tomsred]

He's playing great defensively so far.  Quite a remarkable difference.

[Oz27]

If he continues to play tough D he will be very valuable.

I'm as big a downer on Giavotella as there is but even I will admit I'm a little encouraged by the way he's playing defensively. It's way too early to get overly excited but, still, positive signs.

[bloodbrother]

So far he's shown much better reaction time on hard hit balls. Hopefully he can keep this up because Escobar is pretty damn rough at 3B and Cron most likely closes his eyes every time he has to pick a throw in the dirt

[Mark68]

I'm as big a downer on Giavotella as there is but even I will admit I'm a little encouraged by the way he's playing defensively. It's way too early to get overly excited but, still, positive signs.

I assume he and Simmons have had some conversations about positioning and footwork, etc.

[Stradling]

I haven't seen huge issues with Cron and digging balls out of the dirt. It's more his lack of mobility that bugs me.

[Oz27]

Let's not narrow down Cron's defensive issues because they are endless. Even if Giavotella turns into a gold glove winner, our infield defense is still going to be a problem because of who we have on the corners.

[bloodbrother]

I haven't seen huge issues with Cron and digging balls out of the dirt. It's more his lack of mobility that bugs me.

His non-existent range stands out but he's still hit or miss on playing one hoppers etc. he'll make a nice dig one play then completely clank one the next. Needs to be pretty automatic on those especially since he won't be making many diving stops down the line

[GrittyVeterans]

Put a healthy Pujols at 1st and the infield defense is no longer an issue really. Giavotella has been impressive. However, Cron and Escobar look like complete liabilities with the glove at times

[Docwaukee]

Gia has been fine defensively so far.  Let's not get crazy about him being 'good'.  As long as he's not a liability, his bat will continue to play.  I see some improvement in Cron as well.  He's looked much better per the eye test. Escobar is a butcher at 3b.  

 

I know it's been beaten to death, and I know he'll never be a 2bman for us, but he's been on the right side of the infield a few times in a small sample and it looks more natural.  just sayin' 

 

doesn't really matter considering that Gia deserves to be in the lineup.  

[Billy_Ball]

Gia worked hard over the winter to improve his defense.  The heart and commitment is there.  We're seeing the result so far.

[stormngt]

Gia has been fine defensively so far. Let's not get crazy about him being 'good'. As long as he's not a liability, his bat will continue to play. I see some improvement in Cron as well. He's looked much better per the eye test. Escobar is a butcher at 3b.

I know it's been beaten to death, and I know he'll never be a 2bman for us, but he's been on the right side of the infield a few times in a small sample and it looks more natural. just sayin'

doesn't really matter considering that Gia deserves to be in the lineup.

Escobaroozed natural at 2b in the first inning.

[Erstad Grit]

I'm as big a downer on Giavotella as there is but even I will admit I'm a little encouraged by the way he's playing defensively. It's way too early to get overly excited but, still, positive signs.

 

You are so selective with sample size. 

[Angel Oracle]

Escobar has had ST plus the previous year to get accustomed to 3B.   He will never be much there, but is a positive with the bat.

[Homebrewer]

I was one of the few here who stuck by Gia when everyone was bashing, moaning and groaning about how terrible he was over the off season.

The tone sure changed quickly.

I'm surprised not even one little bit..

[laagamer]

I've said I'll liked Johnny G all offseaon. He earned a shot at it this year.

[Angel Oracle]

Makes one wonder if the eye issue did play a larger part than realized in his defensive struggles in 2015.

[CaliAngel]

Im still on the fence with Johnny. Especially after that backhanded toss to the 10 foot tall man on 2nd...

[kino]

Im still on the fence with Johnny. Especially after that backhanded toss to the 10 foot tall man on 2nd...

That was Escobar not Giavotella.

[Blarg]

Makes one wonder if the eye issue did play a larger part than realized in his defensive struggles in 2015.

 

He was a poor defender all last season and not a good defender with the Royals. It was hard work in the off season that has shown improvement in his skill set. Not some eye problem that only surfaced for a small period of his career.

[Blarg]

That was Escobar not Giavotella.

 

And that there is the problem. For some he will never escape his previous reputation.

[Oz27]

You are so selective with sample size.

I told myself to stop engaging...but what the f**k are you talking about?