Highlighting the important spring training dates for the SF Giants

You can start to feel spring in the air. It is not here just yet, but there are fleeting moments of it during the day. Perhaps, one of the more obvious signs of it is when camp opens up around the league. For the SF Giants, that is coming sooner than you think.

Highlighting the important spring training dates for the SF Giants

MLB.Com put together a list of the key opening camp dates for every team around baseball. Pitchers and catchers report for the Giants on February 12. This is often seen as a big day for baseball. In reality, it is the process of pitchers and catchers simply reporting to their clubs on that date.

In many instances, pitchers, catchers, and position players have already been in camp for some time. A lot of players have housing near their spring training complexes, so they already live and train in the area. While it is a relatively quiet day, it also marks the begining of the end of the offseason.

Once pitchers and catchers report, things begin to ramp up quickly. The first full-season workout is on February 17 and the first game is on February 22 against Bruce Bochy and the Texas Rangers.

There is nothing better than checking out a few spring training games in Arizona. I have been a few times in recent years. The ballparks are in close proximity to each other, there are plenty of food and drink options, and the hiking trails are very nice.

We will have more preview coverage in the next week, but the Giants will enter camp with a relatively set roster. There are few openings and camp battles that will likely take place. The roles that are open including a utility infielder, fourth outfielder, fifth starting pitcher, and one or two spots in the bullpen. At least one of those spots should be for a left-handed reliever.

The Giants will have a couple of new faces in camp with Willy Adames and Justin Verlander. Plus, they will have a handful of franchise heroes in camp as guest instructors. The wait is almost over. Jon Miller, Dave Flamming, Mike Krukow, and Duane Kuiper will be on the airwaves soon enough.