Get This Man a Uniform

A regular season uniform, that is. About a week into Spring Training, Eugenio Velez is pretty much daring Bruce Bochy and Brian Sabean to send him back to Fresno. In four games, he has hit .429 with a 1.038 OPS, and coming into today he led all players with six runs scored and five stolen bases. The Giants have said they expect Velez to become a "super utility man" in the mold of the Angels' Chone Figgins. He had a brief but impressive call-up last September, but was expected to start this year in Triple-A. However, with the injury to Omar Vizquel and the frequent ailments of Ray Durham and Rich Aurilia, he may not be such a long-shot anymore. He's already gotten time at second and third, and I expect to see him a little at shortstop and in the outfield as well. I would love to see an opening day double-play combination of Velez and Frandsen. Because of his blazing speed and solid bat, he could develop into a dynamic leadoff hitter, which the Giants have not had in years. This makes him in my view the most valuable of all the younger players fighting for a roster spot.