Off-season baseball an option for ambitious Richmond Flying Squirrels

With every passing year, more and more players are turning to off-season baseball to keep their competitive edge.

Several members of the Giants organization recently played for the Scottsdale Scorpions of the Arizona Fall League. Third baseman Conor Gillaspie and first baseman Brandon Belt, who helped lead the Scorpions to the league title, were members of the Squirrels in 2010.

Gillaspie, who saw action in eight games for San Francisco in 2008, spent 2009 exclusively with Fresno (triple-A). He hit .287 for Richmond last season.

Considered top prospect

Belt, who may be the top prospect in the entire SF organization, split 2010 between San Jose, Richmond and Fresno. In 136 games, Belt hit .352 with 23 homers and 112 RBI’s. He continued his torrid pace in Arizona, hitting a lofty .372.  Many say Belt is a lock to eventually become San Francisco’s everyday first baseman.

Anthony Oppermann, who has both broadcast (910-AM) and media responsibilities for the Squirrels, expects the busy shuttle from Richmond and San Francisco to continue.

“The San Francisco Giants have had one of the most successful farm systems in all of baseball over the last several years, winning championships at many levels,” Oppermann said.

Giants rotation intact

“The top four starters for the World Series champs (Lincecum, Cain, Sanchez and Bumgardner) were all homegrown, and I would expect to start seeing more drafted and developed talent from within making its way to San Francisco, playing key roles on an everyday basis,” he added.

While the pitching is solid, The Giants continue to look at other areas. “There are aging veterans at key positions like first base, shortstop, and in the outfield. I think the Giants are counting on more help from their farm system to help solidify those positions,” Oppermann said. “Guys like Thomas Neal (OF), Brandon Crawford (SS), and Belt are on the organization’s radar to help fill needs at those positions because it would be too expensive to do so through free agency.”

While Giants’ prospects are finished in Scottsdale, other leagues are still active. Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Puerto Rico and even Australia play professional baseball this time of year.

For many, using spring training to get in shape is a thing of the past.

Season of giving (Nov. 27-Dec. 23)

The Flying Squirrels begin their 2011 Season of Giving Saturday (Nov. 27), which benefits 27 local charities. Throughout the entire holiday shopping season, the Squirrels will donate 10% of the merchandise sales from their Squirrels Nest Merchandising Store (through Dec. 23).

In a similar program during the Squirrels’ inaugural season, the club donated nearly $15,000 to area charities.