Mike

Fontenot

Fontenot hit .380 with seven doubles, two triples, three home runs and 21 RBI. He posted a .416 OBP and a .598 SLG. It sounds like he’s worked his way back to top prospect status, but there are a couple young players ahead of him in Baltimore at second base.

Giants’ manager Bruce Bochy said something similar on Sunday, but now we have it directly from the horse’s mouth. Sanchez hasn’t had any setbacks with his surgically-repaired right shoulder, but he doesn’t feel he’s getting enough mustard on double-play throws. Mike Fontenot and Ryan Theriot would likely share playing time at second base if he needs extra recovery time.

This doesn’t come as a big surprise, as Sanchez recently received a cortisone shot in his surgically-repaired shoulder after hitting a “plateau” in his rehab. He’ll likely need at least the first couple weeks of the season to get ready. The Giants have Mike Fontenot and Ryan Theriot on the roster, but Emmanuel Burriss is considered the favorite to take his place at second base.

Fontenot hasn’t played since last Tuesday due to a right groin injury, but it’s not considered a major issue. The 31-year-old batted .227/.304/.377 with four home runs, 21 RBI and a .681 OPS last season and is expected to serve as a utility infielder again in 2012.

They probably won’t have much competition. Fontenot, who was released by the Giants last week, batted just .277/.304/.377 across 252 plate appearances in 2011.

We’ve got a utilityman bidding war on our hands. Starting raw rookie Freddy Galvis in the absence of Chase Utley, the Phillies would seem to have the greater need, but Fontenot would also be an offensive upgrade on Jack Wilson behind rookie Tyler Pastornicky at shortstop in Atlanta. He should have a new team by the end of the weekend.

Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com reported earlier in the day that Fontenot was also weighing an offer from the Braves, but he has apparently opted to sign with the Fightins. Rookie Freddy Galvis is filling in for Chase Utley at second base right now, but Fontenot would provide an experienced alternative. The 31-year-old batted .277/.304/.377 across 252 plate appearances with the Giants last year.

It’s a good fit, as the Phillies have a need for infield depth with Chase Utley (knee) and Michael Martinez (foot) sidelined and rookie Freddy Galvis playing second base. Fontenot, 31, is a .266/.332/.406 career hitter in the big leagues and has experience playing second base, shortstop and the hot corner. We figure he’ll join the big league roster before long.

Rookie second baseman Freddy Galvis has handled himself well with the glove, but the Phillies can’t live with his weak .213/.237/.340 batting line for much longer. Fontenot, who signed a minor league deal with Philadelphia last month, is hitting .319/.373/.447 with six doubles and an .819 OPS over 52 plate appearances with Triple-A Lehigh Valley.

Fontenot, who signed a minor league deal with the Phillies last month, had a .300/.364/.420 batting line over his first 15 game with the IronPigs. The 31-year-old batted just .227/.304/.377 across 252 plate appearances with the Giants last year, so we aren’t expecting much from a fantasy perspective, but he could split playing time with rookie Freddy Galvis at second base.