MESA, Ariz. — There was a time when Nick Noonan’s name was mentioned alongside the likes of Buster Posey and Madison Bumgarner as future stars for the San Francisco Giants. But as Posey and Bumgarner moved on to major success, Noonan’s career was stuck on neutral.
A first round pick by the Giants in 2007 out of Parker High in San Diego, Noonan was quickly anointed as their second baseman of the future. He didn’t quite live up to those high expectations.
Noonan remained in the minor leagues for six years until getting his first crack at the big leagues in 2013 when he made the Giants Opening Day roster as a backup infielder.