Colvin appreciates opportunity with Giants
SAN FRANCISCO -- As a former first-round Draft pick of the Chicago Cubs who's now on his third Major League team in six seasons, Giants outfielder Tyler Colvin has learned some valuable lessons on his up-and-down baseball journey.
One of the most important lessons, he said, is to avoid putting too much pressure on himself, whether he's sizzling at the plate or struggling.
"I've done that before and I know how that turns out," Colvin said before the Giants' game Saturday night against Miami. "Just keep having consistent at-bats and try not to worry about the outcome as much as you can. Just worry about hitting balls hard and whatever happens, happens."
Colvin has gotten off to a ridiculously hot start with the Giants since being called up May 10 from Triple-A Fresno after first baseman Brandon Belt went on the disabled list with a broken left thumb. He entered Saturday batting .412 (7-for-17) with four doubles, one triple, one home run and three RBIs. He had a slugging percentage of .941 and an on-base percentage of .444.
In his first start as a Giant, Colvin went 2-for-3 with a home run, a triple and three RBIs in a 4-2 victory against Atlanta on Monday at AT&T Park.
Colvin, who was out of the lineup Saturday after making three straight starts, said he welcomed the opportunity to get consistent playing time.
"It's a great opportunity," he said. "It's unfortunate that Belt went down like he did, but it does give me somewhat of an opportunity to play. As long as you perform, you'll be in there. Just to be able to have that opportunity is great."
Colvin batted .254 with 20 home runs and 56 RBIs in 135 games in 2010 for the Cubs. The next year he hit .150 with six home runs and 20 RBIs in 80 games and was traded after the season to Colorado. In 2012, he batted .290 with 18 home runs and 72 RBIs for Colorado. The next year he batted .160 with three home runs and 10 RBIs in just 27 games for the Rockies.
"You have a great year and the next year you don't even make the team out of camp," said Colvin, who signed with San Francisco as a free agent on Feb. 23. "It's a funny sport. It's a tricky business sometimes and you learn it is a business. It's still a game but there's definitely a business side to it.
"It's all a learning experience. Everyone's path is different. Mine's been up and down so far. Hopefully when I get it back up like I am now, I'll just keep it there."