Former Giants prospect hopes to revitalize career with A’s

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. After batting just .219 in 105 major league at-bats that year, Noonan was designated for assignment the following season.

The past four years, Noonan has been on a tour around the country. The organizations he’s played for include the Yankees, Giants again, Padres, Marlins, and Brewers, only returning to the majors for short stints in 2015 with the Giants and 2016 with the Padres. But when the A’s came calling with a non-roster invitation to spring training, Noonan jumped at the chance to potentially come back to the Bay Area.

“I was kind of excited. The other side of the bay, I’ll try that one out,” Noonan said.

While he started out as a second baseman, Noonan has played all four infield positions over the past few years. That type of versatility is valuable to any club, and it’s the reason manager Bob Melvin expects to get Noonan a considerable amount of playing time this spring.

“He’s gonna get some time backing up games. Maybe a couple of starts. He can play all the infield positions, which works in his favor,” Melvin said. “The first game he’ll be in there somewhere to back up. You’d love to be able to start, especially for a guy that’s been in the big leagues and is a little bit older at this point in his career, but he’s gonna get enough at-bats for us to get a good handle on him.”

It won’t be an easy road to Oakland for Noonan. The A’s have their infield set with Matt Olson at first, Jed Lowrie at second, Marcus Semien at short, and Matt Chapman at third. Even with Noonan’s versatility, the A’s already have a super-utility man in Chad Pinder locked into a roster spot.

Noonan, 28, understands the situation he’s in.