Belmont resident Ryan Cavan Works His Way Through Giants' Chain

The good news for Ryan Cavan is that he is a prospect in the minor leagues with the San Francisco Giants, the team he grew up watching at Candlestick Park.

The challenging part is that he is nearly 3,000 miles from family and friends for the second time in three seasons.

"It is very, very difficult," said Cavan, sitting outside of the Richmond Flying Squirrels' clubhouse before a recent game in Maryland against the Bowie Baysox, a farm team of the Baltimore Orioles. "One I don't get to see my family. And two I don't get to see my girlfriend. That makes it very difficult. You have to be very determined and believe in yourself. To have a personal life during the season is difficult."

Cavan, 25, a product of Belmont Little League and Babe Ruth programs, is a sure-handed second baseman for the Flying Squirrels in the Double-A Eastern League.

Cavan hit .239 in his first 322 at bats, with nine home runs, 11 doubles and 33 RBIs.

A step away from the Giants' top affiliate at Triple-A Fresno, the Menlo School grad Cavan played college ball at Trinity in Texas, Chapman in California and UC Santa Barbara before he was drafted by the Giants in the 16th round in 2009.

He spent the 2010 season in Augusta, GA, in the low Single-A South Alantic League but then blossomed at San Jose, in the high Single-A California League. He hit .270 in 130 games with 12 homers, 10 stolen bases and 90 RBIs.

"I went to Candlestick Park as a kid and saw Barry Bonds," Cavan said. "My draft day was a life-changing event. I worked so hard for so long and to be rewarded with an opportunity made me appreciate things. I am just blessed to have that opportunity and want to make the most of it and give it my all."

 Cavan also grew up watching Kirt Manwaring, a Giants' catcher and now roving instructor in the Giants' minor league system whom Cavan will see from time ot time.

Cavan was not among the top 30 pre-season prospects in the Giants' system  by the respected magazine Baseball America. Richmond manager Dave Machemer suggested he needs to improve his on-base percentage.

Machemer, a veteran mentor in the minors, said Cavan "is a great fielder" but will "have to get on base more often" to move up the ladder.

Cavan moved to Belmont when he was in third grade and grew up surfing in Half Moon Bay with his father, David. His mother, Karen, used to work in the ticket office for the Giants.

Cavan played Little League ball for his father and remembers in one game stealing second, third and home after drawing a walk.

"I just loved the game of baseball," he said.

He transferred from Trinity to Chapman because he missed surfing, and then got the chance to play Division I baseball at Santa Barbara.

He played amateur baseball against Richmond teammates Gary Brown and pitcher Justin Fitzgerald. Brown, a speedy outfielder, is a top prospect for the Giants.

Cavan would love to join Brown on the West Coast as a member of the Giants.