Giants notes: Panik's future in two-spot, Belt becomes father | CSN Bay Area

In my opinion as well, the future is now. What's not to like? You would have Pagan and Panik, two .300 average types setting the table for Posey, Pablo, Pence and Morse. Pence drops to an RBI producing slot rather than the top of the order spot he was misplaced in due to Pagan and Scutaro's injuries. Blanco is adding some pop in the seven hole and if Susac stays in the .230 - .250 range he has value.

from CSN Bay Area:
Giants notes: Panik's future in two-spot, Belt becomes father | CSN Bay Area:

Joe Panik, who's looked very comfortable hitting at the bottom of the order in recent weeks, will bat second. "I think that could eventually be a spot for him, sooner than later," Bochy said. "I think he could be a good two-hole hitter." Bochy later said that he's more interested in putting his best hitters at the top of the lineup than worrying about putting a specific type of hitter – like one who's known for bat control, for instance. Lately, Panik has been one of the team's best and hottest hitters, raising his average from .203 on Aug. 2 to .297 going into today's game. 

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The biggest project for now is to get Brandon Crawford turned around at the dish. He looks dazed and confused up there lately, swinging through hitters pitches and flailing at pitchers pitches. He is too good a hitter to be struggling at .225 and yet he continues to look more and more like Adrianza with occasional power. Something has to give there and it's getting so bad, you wonder if Brandon isn't hiding an injury.

The next decision happens when / if Belt comes back in September. At that point, you're taking AB's from a rejuvenated Gregor Blanco and Michael Morse.

The lineup is showing signs of life even to the point of providing Vogelsong with run support. Here's to hoping it continues for a September stretch run.


More good stuff from this story: Panik about Posey and Posey about Panik
http://www.csnbayarea.com/giants/rewind-panik-posey-form-solid-2-3-punch-giants-victory

Confidence is the operative word, isn’t it? Posey was batting a lukewarm .278 just nine games ago before a 20-for-40 scorcher lifted him to .297. But he has an NL MVP trophy to assuage any doubts. Panik has … what? An MVP trophy from the short-season Northwest League, when he hit .341 for Salem-Keizer three years ago?

It’s infinitely harder for a rookie to carry himself the same way through a slow start. Even when Panik was hitting .203 through 24 games, though, he said he didn’t lose hope.

But did he really believe he could walk into the big leagues and hit .300?

“Honestly, yeah,” he said, still sounding self-aware. “Wherever I’ve gone, I’ve always believed I can be a good hitter and nothing has changed since I got here. I got off to a slow start but I’ve always believed in myself. There’s a month left in the season but I’m happy with the progress I’ve made.”

 Said Posey: “You talk about confidence. It seems the last three or four weeks, every time he comes to bat he gets a hit. It’s just a real nice, simple approach and a knack for putting the barrel on the ball. If you can do that, you’ll have success.”

Panik said while in the minor leagues, he would watch Posey whenever he could. He’d get excited if San Jose or Fresno were playing a night game and the Giants had a businessman’s special. It meant a chance to turn on the TV and try to learn something.

[RELATED: Morse left hanging by Giants teammates]

“I mean, whoa,” Panik said. “It’s impressive. He’s such an impressive hitter. You can learn a lot from him and right now he’s hot and he’s one of the best hitters in baseball for a reason.”

Panik hits from the left side. Posey has a smooth right-handed stroke. But in terms of approach and confidence, there are similarities – even in what they choose to admire about each other.

“Just how simple he keeps it,” Posey said. “He doesn’t have a lot of movement. He’s in a good position to hit.”

Said Panik: “Just approach, how he uses the whole field. How many hits went the other way? Three or four? That’s why he’s a .300 hitter. He’s comfortable up there. He’s an MVP.”