10 San Francisco Giants with the Most to Lose This Spring Training

With only 19 days until the official start of Spring Training for the San Francisco Giants, fans are ready to put the offseason behind them. The dawn of spring will surely erase the toxic memories of 2011. That is, until Aubrey Huff rolls his first 32-hopper to second base.  

It doesn't get any more relaxing than Spring Training for a fan. The games don't matter, the pitchers are on strict pitch counts and faceless prospects are called on to fill out the rosters for split squad games.  

For some Giants, this spring is a chance to work off the tee and work on the tan. Buster Posey could go 0-for-67 and still start on Opening Day. For others, however, Spring Training can be make-or-break. Here are 10 Giants with the most to lose this spring.  

10. Freddy Sanchez

Freddy is a beloved Giant. Freddy also has an arm held together by sticky tack. At 34 years old and in the last year of his contract, Sanchez has to hear the clock is ticking. It's never good when most fans and media have already penciled a guy in for two or three DL stints.  

What He Stands to Lose

His health. Sanchez is clearly the starting second baseman on Opening Day. Even a bad spring would not change that. However, Sanchez needs to stay healthy.  

Another big injury or setback before April could spell the end of his tenure in San Francisco. On the other hand, with the current options in the middle infield, I'm sure he will get all the chances he needs.  

9. Hector Sanchez

Hector Sanchez, who got a little playing time with the big club last season, laid waste to the Venezuelan Winter League. Sanchez is a young, switch-hitting catcher that could hit at the big league level as soon as this season and provide more security, should Bruce Bochy give Buster Posey more time at first base. 

What He Stands To Lose

Sanchez has a chance to make the big league squad early this season. While still only 21 years old and stuck behind Posey, reason may dictate that Sanchez get some more minor league seasoning.  

However, if the bat gets hot, a team that overdosed on the Stewart/Whiteside combo last season won't be able to hold Sanchez back for long.  

8. Brian Wilson

The Bearded One is the hands-down Giants closer entering 2012. However, the 2011 offseason was much less friendly in the press than the 2010 offseason. Goofy sayings and Taco Bell commercials are somewhat less endearing when coming off a season full of inconsistency and injury concerns.

What He Stands to Lose

Wilson just needs to re-establish his health. The Giants plan on putting Wilson through a full spring routine. It's not as if there are widespread calls for Wilson's job. But given the offensive woes, many

Giants fans wonder if at least part of Wilson's $8.5 million salary could have been used to pay Carlos Beltran. If they are limp again and Wilson overdoes it on the "torture," he could be the odd man out.  

7. Melky Cabrera

See: Angel Pagan

What He Stands to Lose

Also in a contract year, Cabrera's year in orange and black will be the difference between being one of the top outfielders on the 2013 free agent market or a return to the fourth outfielder status that he enjoyed before his 2011 breakout campaign. How he performs in Spring Training will set the tone.  

6. Angel Pagan

Like Schierholtz, Angel Pagan will be fighting for playing time in a crowded outfield. Unlike Schierholtz, Pagan is the new guy in town, and the fanbase will not be patient. Pagan needs to at least top Andres' Torres putrid production from last season to justify significant playing time.  

What He Stands to Lose

Pagan was an up-and-comer before a disappointing 2011. He's in a contract year and stands to cash in on the free agent market with a strong offensive season.

Again, however, early offensive struggles will not be met with kindness and Pagan could find himself on the bench early on if he can't hit. Nobody is going to pay for that.  

5. Manny Burriss

Burriss may be the odd man out this spring with the addition of Ryan Theriot. Theriot basically fills the same role that Burriss would have minus the stolen bases. Burriss has been floating in and out of San Francisco for four seasons now and has never lived up to potential. 2012 will probably be his last chance.  

What He Stands to Lose

Burriss is running out of big league chances. He will have to earn his way onto the roster with a strong Spring Training. While the numbers are not in his favor, Burriss is not exactly being blocked by Cal Ripken Jr. and Rogers Hornsby.  

If he scuffles again, however, he may have used up his last opportunity.  

4. Brett Pill

Who is this guy? All but the most ardent Fresno Grizzlies supporters will struggle to write a single paragraph on Pill. He mashed Triple A pitching last season and batted .300 in a very small September sample size. If Pill makes the team out of spring, he will likely be a right-handed bat off the bench and backup first baseman.  

What He Stands To Lose

This may be Pill's big chance. A mostly unheralded prospect, Pill is now only separated from a big league starting lineup by a washed-up first baseman and an unproven prospect.  

These opportunities don't come around often for mid-level prospects like Pill. An underwhelming spring would send Pill back to Fresno anonymity.  

3. Nate Schierholtz

Nate Schierholtz has been a Giant for seemingly forever. For most of his five years in San Francisco, Nate's been the extra outfielder that came in for defense, slapped a few pinch hit singles and generally seemed like he was one trade away from packing his bags.  

Last season, with his first glimpse of extended playing time, Schierholtz delivered. He may be the best defensive outfielder on the team in 2012 and is also developing into a power threat.  

What He Stands to Lose

Schierholtz may not even be in the starting lineup is the season started today. The outfield is crowded and Nate is having to fight off a couple under-achieving first basemen for the starting job.  

This year's rule (I hope) is "you hit, you play." If Schierholtz struggles out the gate, he could be relegated back to the defensive replacement role on a team full of defensive replacements.  

2. Brandon Belt

For a super-prospect like Belt, the Giants sure aren't handing him anything. For the second year in a row, Belt enters Spring Training without a guaranteed spot in the starting lineup. Last season he earned a few starts with a stellar spring before flaming out.  

In 2012, with a glut in the outfield and Aubrey Huff clogging up first base, Belt once again will have to earn his way into the lineup.  

What He Stands to Lose

His spot in the starting lineup. Whether at first base or right field, Belt is probably one of the top eight guys right now. A sub-par spring will open the door for Nate Schierholtz and Brett Pill to establish themselves.  

This would lead to a repeat of 2011 for Belt, which saw him yo-yo both in and out of the starting lineup and to and from Fresno.  

1. Brandon Crawford

Crawford is the most polarizing player in the prospective starting lineup. He has given no indication that he possesses the talent of a professional hitter. However, recent failures with over-the-hill veteran shortstops have convinced many fans that Crawford is actually worth extensive playing time.  

What He Stands to Lose

His starting spot. It's not as if a big prospect is coming up through the ranks, but Mike Fontenot, Manny Burrriss and the newly signed Ryan Theriot provide alternatives at shortstop if Crawford fails.  

He doesn't need to be Jose Reyes in Scottsdale, but he needs to at least show competence at the plate to justify the Opening Day start.