Spring training: Tony Vitello’s debut as SF Giants manager turns out to be a learning, winning experience

PEORIA, Ariz. — Giants manager Tony Vitello woke up Saturday morning and watched the sunrise, as he often does. This one, though, felt different.

For the first time in his life, Vitello attended a spring training game, another item off his checklist. He can now add managing one and exchanging a Major League Baseball lineup card to it, too.

Not bad for a guy who just last week said, “I don’t know what a spring training game feels or looks like.”

Against the Seattle Mariners at Peoria Sports Complex Saturday afternoon, the 47-year-old found out. And he and his new team came away with a 10-5 win, yet another check for his checkoff list.

Vitello, though, knows enough about spring ball to keep things in perspective.

“Anytime you’re keeping score, you want to win,” Vitello said. “But I think everybody kind of knows what you’re working toward. There’s a bunch of objectives that supersede the scoreboard.”

For the new skipper, the true challenge was in the buildup. It was slightly unfamiliar and certainly different compared to his tenure with the University of Tennessee. It didn’t take Vitello long to settle in.

He found his spot in the dugout and from there things just clicked. He realized everyone had a job, including himself.

Mostly, Vitello saw Saturday as a day of learning, an opportunity to grow and discover more about his ballclub. He mentioned enjoying debating in the dugout and seeing his players face off against a new opponent.

Vitello also learned where not to stand in the dugout after getting hit on his left shin by a foul ball.

“I realized it would be smarter not to stand in the walkway,” Vitello said with a laugh. “There was a bunch of stuff everybody commented on or wrote down. The score you can put in your back pocket. I think our coaching staff getting familiar with some in-game discussion was a real benefit.”

That familiarity extended to the players, too. Blade Tidwell, who played under Vitello in  Tennessee, said his manager was “the exact same.”

And that comfort may have helped Tidwell, who, while making his debut for San Francisco, struck out the side in the second inning while walking one during his 25 pitches.

“I heard him a couple of times when I was pitching,” Tidwell said. “He said stuff he used to say while I was in college. ‘Like, all right, focus on the hitter.’ He’s always got a bunch of one-liners up his sleeve.”

New faces & spring debuts

Center fielder Harrison Bader, signed as a free agent in January, made his first start in orange & black while wearing bright blue batting gloves and cleats, Bader had a hit and two RBIs while batting leadoff.

Also debuting for San Francisco was catcher Daniel Susac, a former Oakland A’s first-round pick who Vitello said “had a hell of a day,” after starting at catcher and getting a hit and scoring a run. The 24-year-old joined the Giants after being selected in the Rule 5 Draft from the A’s.

This spring, Susac’s goal is to chip away at weaknesses and improve overall. He wants to cleanup his fielding and be more selective at the plate.

“It’s a little different for me (this spring) because I’m going to be playing a lot more,” said Susac, who must remain on the Giants’ 26-man roster or be offered back to the A’s. “The intent is a little different for me. This is probably my first spring training where I’m going to see more serious minutes.”

Giants’ top prospect, Bryce Eldridge, got the starting nod, too. He began the game at first base and showed a bit of opposite-field pop, doubling to left. Before the game, Eldridge discussed feeling more comfortable and in rhythm this spring.

“We have great people here, and the new guys are amazing,” Eldridge said. “They’re blending in well. Bader, (Luis) Arráez, they’re treating me like I’ve known them for years.”

Birdsong’s rough start

Right-handed pitcher Hayden Birdsong also got the starting nod. It didn’t quite go according to plan.

He walked two batters, gave up five runs and recorded just one out before being removed by Vitello in a rough one-third inning performance. His first two fastballs — strikes at 96 and 97 mph — looked sharp, but command became an issue.

On 26 total pitches against six batters, Birdsong tossed 12 balls and left after giving up a grand slam to former Granada High star Miles Mastroubuoni, a 381-foot blast to right-center.

Nonetheless, Birdsong said his delivery felt great and that he’s focused on working on his off-speed stuff with a larger focus on trying to make the big league roster.

His manager is looking for presence and limited walks from Birdsong.

“In college and then in minor league ball, he was always having success,” Vitello said. “At some point, you get punched in the mouth and you’ve got to find that consistent image. That’s why guys have superstitions and routines. It’s to try to stay as close to the center as possible, so I think that’ll be a theme for him this year.”

As for Vitello, this spring will be less about what’s on the scoreboard and more about the lessons that come with checking off the next box.