The Aard Stuff

With the Giants coffers otherwise kerbed by overpaid overage veterans, young arms could well spring to the fore in 2005. One of the first in line should be David Aardsma, who made his debut for San Francisco on opening day 2004 in Houston, and picked up the win.

In the Arizona Fall League, the former first-round pick led the Grand Canyon Rafters with a 2.93 ERA and struck out 17 in just 15 innings. He has struggled with his command at every level, but he has great stuff, with a fastball that can touch the upper 90s.

Despite this lack of control, as well as a consistent off-speed pitch (he has recently added a knucklecurve), Aardsma remains one of the most highly touted prospects in the game. He projects as a closer down the road, the role he fulfilled with exceptional ease for the College World-Series winning Rice Owls. In the meantime, the Giants will look for an interim closer while they groom Aardsma for a permanent role at the back of their bullpen.