You could almost hear the chuckles before the season started when the Giants said that catcher Bengie Molina would be the cleanup hitter for them….but no one is laughing anymore. That’s because Molina has been a hitting machine so far this season. He has played in 46 games for the Giants this season and he is 59 for 174 (.339 avg, .903 OPS) with 20 runs scored, 6 homers and 36 RBIs. He also has only whiffed 12 times which is quite remarkable. He has been everything the Giants could have dreamed of and more this season as he’s earning the big bucks that they are paying him.

The Giants weren’t expecting much out of Yabu when they signed him to a minor league contract based on the fact that he hadn’t pitched in the majors since 2005 with the A’s. But, Yabu has been one of the most consistent pitchers for the Giants this season out of the bullpen. Yabu has pitched in 18 games (0 starts) this season for the Giants and he is 2-2 with a 1.95 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP. He has only allowed 19 hits in 27.2 innings this season but he could run into troouble if he doesn’t tighten up his control a little bit as he has walked 13 batters this season already.

The Giants have placed righty reliever Merkin Valdez on the 15-day disabled list with a right elbow strain. Valdez has pitched in 17 games (1 start) this season for the Giants and he is 1-0 with a 1.69 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP. This is a shame as Valdez was finally living up to his vast potential. The Giants have recalled lefty reliever Alex Hinshaw to replace Valdez in the bullpen and on the roster. Alex Hinshaw has pitched in 3 games already for the Giants and he worked 1.2 innings allowing only 1 hit while whiffing 4 batters. The 25-year old was outstanding in AAA ball this season as he worked in 13 games (0 starts) and he was 0-0 with 7 saves, a 0.57 ERA and a 0.57 WHIP. Hinshaw only allowed 5 hits and whiffed 21 batters in 15.2 innings in AAA this season.

17-year old righty swinging 1B/3B is the Giants’ #1 prospect according to Baseball America’s Prospect Handbook but he’s off to a rough start. Villalona has played in 29 games in A-ball this season and he is 19 for 99 (.192 avg, .557 OPS) with 9 runs scored, 1 homer and 9 RBIs. He also has whiffed 28 times already this season and he won’t move up until he makes better contact. It will be a while before Villalona wears a Giants uniform but he might be worth the wait.

Tim Lincecum & Jonathan Sanchez have been dominant so far this season for the Giants. Lincecum has pitched in 7 games (6 starts) for the Giants this season and he is 4-1 with a 1.49 ERA and a 1.37 WHIP. He has also whiffed an amazing 45 batters in only 42.1 innings this season as he looks like the ace of the Giants staff both now and in the future. Lefty Jonathan Sanchez also is off to a good start. The Giants knew he had the stuff to succeed but he’s putting everything together right now. Sanchez has started 6 games for the Giants so far this year and he is 2-1 with a 3.48 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP. He has whiffed an astounding 40 batters in only 33.2 innings so far this season. It’s too bad that the Giants don’t score many runs or either of these guys would have a real shot to win the Cy Young Award if they keep pitching like they are right now.

Fred Lewis is taking full advantage of his opportunity as he has replaced the injured Dave Roberts as the Giants’ starting left fielder. Lewis has played in 32 games this season for the Giants and he is 33 for 103 (.320 avg, .926 OPS) with 19 runs scored, 3 homers, 8 RBIs and 5 stolen bases. If Lewis keeps up the good work there is no way the Giants will give Roberts his starting job back when he returns from the D.L.

Major League Baseball has suspended 29-year old catcher Eliezer Alfonzo for 50 games for testing positive for performance enhancing drugs. Alfonzo was in AAA ball and he was playing quite well. He played in 16 games in AAA ball this season and he was 19 for 62 (.306 avg, .918 OPS) with 10 runs scored, 3 homers and 14 RBIs. Alfonzo has played in 113 games in his two year major league career (all with the Giants) and he is 92 for 350 (.263 avg, .744 OPS) with 32 runs scored, 13 homers and 45 RBIs. This could really hamper Alfonzo’s career as it will be harder to get another chance in the majors due to his suspension.