Legendary SF Giants infielder serving as mentor to young second baseman

Former SF Giants second baseman Joe Panik will always be a legend in San Francisco for the key role he played in helping the Giants win the 2014 World Series. He is now passing on his wisdom to young second baseman Tyler Fitzgerald.

On Tuesday night's broadcast of the Cactus League game between the Giants and the Athletics, announcer Duane Kuiper brought up early in the game that Panik was in camp helping Fitzgerald adjust to playing second base. Later in the broadcast, the cameras showed Panik talking with Fitzgerald in the dugout.

This is great to see. Panik won a Gold Glove for his superb defense at second base in 2016 while he was still a Giant. He is also responsible for one of the greatest double plays ever turned in World Series history. There is no one better to serve as a mentor figure to Fitzgerald.

SF Giants legend Joe Panik passing wisdom on to Tyler Fitzgerald

Fitzgerald has played all over the diamond in his young big league career. Last year he saw a lot of time at shortstop because of how well he was swinging the bat which earned him some NL Rookie of the Year consideration, but after the team acquired Willy Adames in the offseason that meant Fitzgerald would have to slide over the second.

The 27-year-old has experience at second base in his minor league career so it should not be a massive adjustment especially considering Fitzgerald's speed and athleticism. Kuiper, a former second baseman in his own right, talked about how one of Panik's main points of emphasis to Fitzgerald is that he has a lot more time and does not need to rush as much playing second base. With less distance to throw the ball to first base, Fitzgerald can allow his internal clock to slow down a little bit so he can ensure he fields the ball cleanly, takes his time, and makes an accurate throw rather than rushing things and making sloppy mistakes.

Panik is not the only former Giant who has been helping out in camp. J.T. Snow was helping top prospect Bryce Eldridge with his defense at first base while he was in major league camp before being demoted. Yusmeiro Petit has also served as a mentor to reliever Camilo Doval.

It is great to see that president of baseball operations Buster Posey has been able to get so many of his former teammates and familiar faces to Giants fans from over the years to come and help out in camp. Their wisdom is only going to make the team stronger in 2025.

Any Joe Panik sighting is always welcome, so it is great to see him still helping the Giants out even though his playing days are done.