Mirabelli's heart still in San Francisco

Doug Mirabelli's heart is still set on San Francisco, but all things considered, playing for the Fresno Grizzlies this season hasn't been half bad, either.

The former Valley High star failed to make the San Francisco Giants squad in spring training despite a solid year in triple-A in 1997. But starting every day for a Fresno team that has been the best in the Pacific Coast League this season hasn't been a bad consolation prize.

"It's fun to come to the ballpark when, night-in and night-out, you have a chance to win," Mirabelli said before Fresno dropped a 7-1 decision to Las Vegas on Monday night at Cashman Field.

Mirabelli has started 55 games for the Grizzlies, who despite Monday night's loss, still are 24 games over .500 (55-31) and are running away with the PCL's South Division. He would have started even more except he was called up for the third time in his career to the parent club Giants in May for 12 days when starting catcher Brian Johnson was sidelined with an injury.

Mirabelli started two games during his brief stint with the Giants. Coincidentally, Danny Darwin pitched shutouts in both contests.

"I don't think they would be calling me up if they still didn't think I could play, especially in May," the 27-year-old former three-time All-American from Wichita State said. "I'm getting more confidence each time I go up there. All the guys there know me now. It's not like I'm going to a brand new team. And once you start feeling more comfortable and confident, you start playing better.

"I want to have a good year here so that I don't give them any reason to doubt that I belong in their plans. I want to have a good year here so that when I go to spring training next year, I've earned the right to try for a spot on the roster."

Mirabelli, always well regarded for his defensive skills and ability to call a game, has also had a solid year offensively. Going into Monday night's game, he was hitting .278 with eight home runs and 32 RBIs.

"He's done an outstanding job," Stars manager Jerry Royster said. "He's really upped his stock in my opinion."

"I think he's progressed like he should have," Fresno manager Jim Davenport said. "He got a little cup of coffee with the big club this year. I think they figured he could come up and help them in a pinch."

Mirabelli's problem, like a lot of top minor leaguers, is that he may be caught in a numbers game.

If San Francisco had elected to carry three catchers, like they did during much of their NL West-winning 1997 season, he would probably be playing for the Giants. But manager Dusty Baker elected to go with just two catchers this season: Johnson and veteran Brent Mayne. So Mirabelli is back in triple-A for the second straight year.

"Experience-wise, he's at the right level," Davenport said. "To get to the next level, he needs to hit and get rid of the ball a little better. I think his tools are good enough that he could be a backup catcher in the big leagues one day."

"When I first got called up in '96, I knew playing in the big leagues was a realistic goal," Mirabelli said. "I think I've improved a lot each year. I've always been confident about my defensive ability and I think they were, too. But offensively, this is my seventh year, and it wasn't until the last couple of years where I started to hit decently."

All he can do now, Mirabelli says, is continue to work hard each day at Fresno.

"I can't worry about what's going on in the big leagues," he said. "I've just got to continue to go out each day and work hard and play the game because I like playing it. The rest will hopefully take care of itself."

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