That 24-year-old Brandon Crawford recently emerged as the Giants' shortstop didn't prevent the team from drafting a 20-year-old who plays the same position.
Joe Panik, selected 29th overall in Monday's MLB draft, is a contact hitter with gap-to-gap power who batted .398 with a .509 on-base percentage, 10 home runs and 57 RBIs in 58 games at St. John's, the school that produced former Giants infielder Rich Aurilia.
"You still have to accumulate talent," scouting chief John Barr said of drafting a shortstop despite Crawford's presence. "You accumulate talent in the minor leagues and give your general manager, Brian Sabean, the flexibility to bring somebody up or use them as trades to fill spots. It's not so much what we need today."
Panik sees himself as an "offensive-minded shortstop; a tough, hard-nosed player; not a flashy player."
"I play the game hard, play the game right," he said.
Panik, who's 6-foot-1, had shoulder surgery after his freshman year and said he has no lingering effects. Barr noted that Panik, who swings left-handed, had more walks (44) than strikeouts (24) and could be a No. 2 hitter and capable of playing second as well as short.
Asked about Aurilia, Panik said, "Hope some day I'll get up to San Francisco and leave my mark as he did."
The Giants used the 49th pick on 6-4 pitcher Kyle Crick of Sherman High School in Texas. Crick, who was 7-2 with a 1.11 ERA in 13 starts, has committed to TCU, which will serve as leverage in negotiations.