San Francisco Giants Season In Review: Brett Pill

June 6, 2012; San Diego, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants first baseman

(6) singles during the first inning against the San Diego Padres at PETCO Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Ah, where do you start with

, uh, Brett Pill. The second year player (first, if you want to get technical) made the big boy roster out of camp and spent the first few months of the campaign at AT&T Park before being sent back to Fresno where he, as usual, mashed on PCL pitching. Unfortunately, despite a few jaw-dropping bombs at the big league level, Pill struggled at the plate – his looping swing full of holes that Major League level pitching feasted on.

Still – Pill gave it his best attempt and at times played some pretty fantastic first base, despite his struggles at the dish. Much of the displeasure from Pill wasn’t even aimed at him or his results, but more at the fact that he was the reason Brandon Belt continued to rot away on the bench or was spending time in AAA – even though that wasn’t Pill’s fault at all, obviously.

At 27, Pill is a late bloomer who, well, hasn’t bloomed yet – at least not at the MLB level.

With a career .292 average at AAA, there isn’t a lot left for Pill to prove at lower levels – so it’s time for Pill to take the next step and provide solid depth for the Giants off the bench/spot start for the coming season. Sadly, there wasn’t much to grade Pill on last year, but what there was, was pretty poor. Here’s to an improved 2013, but for 2012? Well – let’s just sweep that under the rug.

Season Grade: D+