STRONG BEATS

• When the Giants moved third baseman Nate Schierholtz to the outfield with high Class A San Jose, it really wasn't a huge surprise.

Schierholtz, 20, has one of the best bats in the organization, but he's less polished defensively at third base and could move quicker as an outfielder. Plus, Brian Buscher's elbow is healthy enough for him to return to third, and San Jose needed an extra outfielder for its playoffs run. The Giants' playoffs outfield has included the return of Fred Lewis, who finished the regular season in Triple-A, along with 2004 draftees Eddy Martinez-Esteve and Clay Timpner, with Schierholtz at DH.

• Schierholtz' move could be permanent. Worth watching was the Brewers' experiment in the final game of the season for Double-A Huntsville, in which Prince Fielder played left field for the first time. Fielder profiles better physically at first base, and he hit a solid .272-23-78 for the Stars.