Giants notebook: Feliz’s defense receives praise
LOS ANGELES - Moments after he was banished to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday, right-hander Matt Morris insinuated that he wasn’t happy with the defensive effort the Giants put forth behind him.
He must have been talking about the right side of the infield. On the left side, shortstop Omar Vizquel has displayed his usual defensive wizardry and third baseman Pedro Feliz has been just as solid.
It’s no surprise that Vizquel entered the week with the highest zone rating among all major league shortstops. But it might come as a shock that Feliz had the best rating among all major league third basemen.
The statistic measures the percentage of outs made on balls hit to a fielder’s defensive zone.
Vizquel is a leading candidate to win his 12th Gold Glove award and he said Feliz should be considered for one as well, ranking him as possibly the best third baseman he has played alongside.
“He moves well for a third baseman, he has good hands and his arm is awesome, one of the best in the big leagues,” Vizquel said.
It remains to be seen if Feliz, a free agent, will play his way into the Giants’ plans for next season. But his chances appear brighter, and he appears to have an advocate in Manager Bruce Bochy.
“He’s the same guy every day,” Bochy said. “I think he’s one of the most underrated players in the game.”
Morris also took a parting shot at the Giants for not having a strong-willed manager like St. Louis’ Tony La Russa, saying the clubhouse culture had “a different, laid-back feeling.”
Bochy clearly did not appreciate the comment, especially from a player as he walked out the door. But he didn’t fan the flames.
“You know, I’ve had players in the past say things,” Bochy said. “This goes on when you’re not winning ballgames. It seems there’s always something. But finger-pointing, that’s what we need to stay away from.
“I don’t get caught up into players who want to make comments (after they) have moved on.”
Morris will make his Pirates debut Saturday, and if Pittsburgh doesn’t use its day off Monday to skip a starter, his second outing would come Aug. 10 against the Giants at AT&T Park.