Giants' Opening Day lineup much younger this year

Hopefully, much younger translates into much better. We'll see.

Giants' Opening Day lineup much younger this year:

"Some of that depends on the other half of the management team, specifically whether manager Bruce Bochy, who is known for giving young players a short rope, loosens the slack and keeps guys like Brandon Belt and Brandon Crawford in the lineup even if they struggle.

That is the plan. Though the initial thought was to platoon Crawford with a right-handed hitter, the 25-year-old shortstop had such a good approach against lefties in spring training, Sabean now views Crawford as a 150-start player. The proof of that commitment came in the final roster, which includes only one backup middle infielder.

Bochy also pledges to stick Belt at first base for the long haul, convinced that he has matured as a hitter since last year."

---

Bochy Announces Plan for Belt, Pill & Huff:

Bruce Bochy is the master of lineup tweaks. But in meeting with the media after the Giants' final spring training game, it appears as if he's looking for more stability.

Aubrey Huff will be the Giants' every-day left fielder in 2012, leaving Brandon Belt and Brett Pill to platoon at first base. Belt will face the lion share of right-handers with Pill taking the lefties.

"I don't want to switch it up," Bochy said. "I want to stay consistent."

----

2012 GIANTS OPENING DAY ROSTER

Pitchers
Jeremy Affeldt LHP
Madison Bumgarner LHP
Matt Cain RHP
Santiago Casilla RHP
Clay Hensley RHP
Tim Lincecum RHP
Javier Lopez LHP
Guillermo Mota RHP
Dan Otero RHP
Sergio Romo RHP
Brian Wilson RHP
Barry Zito LHP

Catchers
Buster Posey C
Hector Sanchez C

Infielders
Brandon Belt IF/OF
Emmanuel Burriss IF
Brandon Crawford IF
Aubrey Huff IF/OF
Brett Pill IF/OF
Pablo Sandoval IF
Ryan Theriot IF

Outfielders
Gregor Blanco OF
Melky Cabrera OF
Angel Pagan OF
Nate Schierholtz OF