Manny baseball is back in the Bay Area. No, not Manny Ramirez, Emmanuel Burris, the Giants utility infielder who was designated for assignment on July 28th, ultimately ending up back in Fresno after clearing waivers on August 2nd.
In 29 games with Fresno, Burris hit .274 (29-106) with seven doubles, two triples, and three RBI.
Prior to Tuesday night’s game against the Arizona Diamondbacks Bruce Bochy talked about the advantages of having Burriss back on the team and what type of role he will fill.
“He can play anywhere in the infield, he gives us some speed, and [he] can get a bunt down. He was playing well at Fresno, went down and played hard, so he earned this.”
Bochy, who has shown a propensity for going with veterans over youth in the past, commented about Burriss’ experience with the team and the familiarity with each other.
“It’s nice to have a guy with experience up here. We know him, he knows us and he’ll know what his role is, be ready, and help out in any way that he can.”
Bochy continued regarding Manny’s role, “You get in a game like we got into yesterday and once I used Blanco I didn’t have a lot of speed left on the bench and that’s where Manny could’ve played a role.”
Burriss had a strong spring and figured to battle Ryan Theriot all year for the starting position at second base but hit .214 (28-131) with one extra base hit in 52 games before being designated for assignment.
Drafted in the first round in the 2006 amateur draft, Burriss has spent his entire career in the Giants organization.
A career .243 hitter in the majors, Burriss’ best year came in 2008 when he hit .283 with a .357 on base percentage and 18 stolen bases in 95 games.
Other Call Ups
The Giants also added depth to their bullpen on Tuesday recalling Dan Otero and Dan Runzler from Fresno.
Otero surrendered eight earned runs in eight and a third innings in his first stint with the Giants earlier this year but has pitched well in Fresno posting a 2.90 ERA in 48 games with the Grizzlies this year.
Runzler has not pitched for the Giants this year and his numbers at Fresno have been atrocious, but Bochy said in his pregame press conference that Runzlers velocity has returned and he’s pitched better as of late.
(Unless otherwise noted, all quoted obtained first-hand.)
