The Giants have no answers to the corner infield positions. It appears that first base will be a battle between converted outfielder Dan Ortmeier and veteran Rich Aurilia. The 26-year old, switch hitting Ortmeier played in 62 games as a rookie last season for the Giants and he was 45 for 157 (.287 avg, .814 OPS) with 20 runs scored, 6 homers and 16 RBIs. 36 year old righty swinging Rich Aurilia appears to Ortmeier’s main competitor for playing time at first base. Aurilia played in 99 games last season for the Giants and he was 83 for 329 (.252 avg, .672 OPS) with 40 runs scored, 5 homers and 33 RBIs. Aurilia has now played in 1,452 games in his major league career and he is 1,435 for 5,192 (.276 avg, .769 OPS) with 702 runs scored, 174 homers and 688 RBIs.

25 year old righty swinging Kevin Frandsen appears to be the leader at the hot corner heading into spring training. Frandsen played in 109 games last season for the Giants and he was 71 for 264 (.269 avg, .710 OPS) with 26 runs scored, 5 homers and 31 RBIs. Minor league free agent Justin Leone will battle Frandsen for the starting 3B job. Leone has played in 32 games in his major league career and he is 22 for 103 (.214 avg, .733 OPS) with 15 runs scored, 6 homers and 13 RBIs. Rich Aurilia also could win some playing time at the hot corner.

Just what the ancient Giants needed….more old guys. The Giants have signed pitchers Victor Santos, Bartolome Fortunato and infielders Justin Leone and Scott McClain to minor league contracts. Santos has the best chance of making the Giants roster. He pitched in 36 games (3 starts) last season for the Orioles and Reds and he was 1-6 with a 5.83 ERA and a 1.64 WHIP. Santos has now pitched in 186 games (87 starts) in his major league career and he is 23-48 with a 5.21 ERA and a 1.58 WHIP. 33-year old righty reliever Bartolome Fortunato last pitched in 2006 with the Mets. Fortunato has worked in 20 games in his major league career and he is 2-0 with 1 save, a 6.21 ERA and a 1.66 WHIP. 30-year old third baseman Justin Leone could get a shot to battle for the starting job and that should scare Giants fans. Leone last played in the majors in 2006 with the Padres. Leone has played in 32 games in his major league career and he is 22 for 103 (.214 avg, .733 OPS) with 15 runs scored, 6 homers and 13 RBIs. 35-year old first baseman Scott McClain also will have a good chance to stick with the Giants this season. McClain played in 8 games last season for the Giants and he was 2 for 11 (.182 avg, .364 OPS) with 1 run scored. McClain has now played in 30 games in his major league career and he is 6 for 45 (.133 avg, .376 OPS) with 4 runs scored and 1 RBI.