Bleacher Chinwagging: San Francisco Giants’ Tyler Colvin? Who Is He?

In the latest example of Brian Sabean’s uncanny ability to pull the right string at the right time, Tyler Colvin’s recall from Fresno to shore up the San Francisco Giants’ lineup until Brandon Belt gets back, has turned out far better than even Sabes could have hoped for.  Colvin brought his bat, that’s for sure, hitting at a torrid .412 clip, with at least one extra base hit in each of the four games he has started.  

Manager Bruce Bochy installed him in the number six slot in the lineup for Friday night’s game, an indication that he is relying on Colvin’s prior major league experience.  In case you are not aware, Colvin has already made a significant impression on the National League, having clubbed 47 home runs for two different teams before joining the Giants.  

Colvin made a very strong impression during spring training, but was experiencing back issues as the club broke camp so Bochy figured it made more sense for him to go down to Fresno and resolve his health problems, so as to play every day, and once his back was better, he would be available to the big club.

Now that he is back, you can see that the time spent together in the desert, was time well spent.  Colvin has fit in with this group as though he is a long-lost cousin returned to the fold.  There is none of this standoffish business that frequently accompanies a roster move.  Not on this club.  None of this waiting around to see if things are going to work out.

Feb 23, 2014; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; San Francisco Giants outfielder Tyler Colvin (91) poses for a photo during photo day at Scottsdale Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

It’s Into the trenches Colvin went, picking up some of Belt’s lost momentum, because Belt was leading the league in round-trippers when he went down.  Colvin does not have to lead the league in home runs in order to cement his presence with the Giants.  He doesn’t have to hit at a .412 pace.  All he has to do is carry one-ninth of the weight, and anything over that is gravy.  Right now the gravy boat runneth over.

A winning team finds ways to get it done, whether it’s bringing up Tyler Colvin or having Gregor Blanco star in a rare start, by stealing three bases and scoring three runs.

Getting it done includes being in first place despite the fairly recent arrivals of first, Hunter Pence, and more recently, Pablo Sandoval.  Or having Sergio Romo perform so superbly in the closer’s role; or having Michael Morse lead the league in home runs; or having Jean Machi contending for best win/loss record at 5-0.

Getting it done is having Brandon Crawford become as legitimate of an offensive weapon as he is on defense; or having Angel Pagan play so electrifyingly for the first quarter of the year, that it clearly emphasizes why the Giants fell apart last season;  or having one of the strongest bullpens in the business.

Who is Tyler Colvin?  Just think of him as one more way that Giants are getting it done.

Apr 30, 2014; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants left fielder Michael Morse (38) hits a double against the San Diego Padres during the first inning at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports