Your 2012 Non-Roster Invitees: Part 2

You didn’t think I’d forgotten about this, did you? Well, maybe I forgot a little bit. But now that Spring Training is in full swing, not only will I be introducing you to some fresh faces, but we’ll have current news to discuss as well!

Here are today’s five non-roster invitees from the Giants’ camp:

Andrew Kown

In 2004, Detroit took Kown in the 5th round of the MLB June Amateur Draft, and he’s spent the past six years working his way up from the Single-A Tigers’ affiliate to the Triple-A Grizzlies. In 2011, he posted a 4.48 ERA and 4.39 FIP in 136.2 IP. He started 25 games for a 10-8 W-L record, with a 1.98 strikeout to walk ratio. As for Spring Training stirrings, we’ve yet to hear any indication of his current progress.

Mitch Lively

Right-handed reliever Mitch Lively is no stranger to the Giants organization. From 2008 – 2011, he’s run the circuit of Single-A and Double-A teams, falling just shy of the Triple-A level. Last season, Lively split his time between the San Jose Giants and Richmond Flying Squirrels, accumulating a total of 9 saves and 71 strikeouts over 56 games and 71.1 IP. Although his ERA rose from 1.46 to 3.68, he kept a fairly steady FIP, from 2.98 in San Jose to 2.70 in Richmond. Spring Training news so far: well, he makes Gregor Blanco look good.

Shane Loux

The most seasoned of this bunch, Shane has three partial seasons with major league teams under his belt, and made headway with the Giants in Fresno last year. In 23 appearances, he maintained a 5.12 ERA and 4.29 FIP, striking out 84 batters and keeping a 1.36 WHIP. If he’s continued to improve during this first week of Spring Training, we’ve yet to hear about it.

Jean Machi

After 8 seasons of minor league service, Machi was picked up by the Grizzlies in 2011, where he played 3 games for a 9.00 ERA and 0.20 FIP. As reliable as those numbers sound, let’s look at his time with the Pirates’ Triple-A affiliate, where he earned a mere 2.34 ERA and 2.49 FIP in 2010. Over 58 appearances, Machi struck out 58 batters and earned 23 saves. The only Spring Training news with his name attached to it: a photo of his jersey, with Romo’s name tacked over the letters. And no, there was no explanation given.

Seth Rosin

The newest minor leaguer of this crowd, Rosin was selected by the Giants in the 4th round of the 2010 MLB June Amateur Draft. During the past two years, he has climbed his way from the short-season Volcanoes to the single-A GreenJackets, where he averaged a 3.34 ERA and 2.63 FIP in 39 games, striking out 93 batters for a 9.40 K/9 in 89.0 IP. As Seedlings to Stars pointed out, Rosin has potential value as an upcoming starter, setup man, or closer. Earlier this week, CSN Bay Area’s Andrew Baggarly shared this story about Rosin’s introduction to the big leagues:

"So in their quick briefing before Thursday’s workout with pitchers and catchers, Bochy asked right-hander Seth Rosin where he went to school.  (It was Minnesota.) Then he asked if he had pride in his alma mater.Of course, Rosin said.“OK,” Bochy said. “Sing the fight song.”So Rosin had to fumble through the words to “Minnesota Rouser.” He managed to remember them all, though."

Stay tuned for Part 3, where we’ll tackle even more pitchers invited to the Giants’ camp (you can’t be surprised about that, right?). Oh, and a quick note to all the Giants not mentioned in this post: I’ve heard far too much about you breaking yourselves before this season is even in sight. You’re not made of glass. Knock it off.