Four Reasons Kevin Frandsen Is the Giants' Best Option at Shortstop

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Kevin Frandsen has been dismissed by many during his tenure with the Giants. He is a player that hasn't been on the field nearly enough to be able to sway fans' opinions about him one way or the other.

However, some fans argue that he hasn't been given enough opportunities with the big club, most notably last year, when he was returning from being out all of '08 with a ruptured left Achilles tendon.

Here are a few reasons why he may be deserving of a more extended look in 2010...

1. Defense

In the most important defensive position in the infield, you need to have someone with a solid glove.

In '09, Frandsen had 12 assists and two double plays turned in only seven appearances at short. In those seven games, he showed a lot of range for someone who started his career as a second baseman.

He seemed to have a better first step than Edgar Renteria did, even though he was given very limited playing time.

2. Hitting

Frandsen hit .295 in 110 games at Triple-A Fresno last year. He also hit 13 homers and knocked in 55 runs.

His OBP was .352, his slugging percentage was .438, and his OPS was .790! That OPS is 155 points higher than Renteria's OPS was last year, while Renteria had more at-bats.

If this isn't enough evidence that Frandsen is fully back from his injury and hitting like he always has in the minors, then check out his batting average during this past winter league: .337! Even in winter league, that's impressive!

3. His Age

He's only 27—and a young 27 at that (since he didn't play all of '08 except for one at-bat). I'd much rather see a 27-year-old player with a lot of potential than a 32-year-old whose skills have clearly declined.

The one who's five years younger will make a lot more plays that the older guy can't, and in a division that will probably be decided by three games or less, those plays are going to be pivotal to the outcome of the overall season.