Belmont's Ryan Cavan Works His Way Up Giants' Chain

By David Driver

The good news for Ryan Cavan is that he is a prospect in the minor leagues with the 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 clubhouse before a recent game in Maryland against the Bowie Baysox, a farm team of the 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 Richmond Flying Squirrels of the Class AA Eastern League. Cavan hit .239 in his first 322 at bats this year with Richmond and had nine homers, 11 doubles and 33 RBIs.  

He is one stop from Class AAA Fresno, the top affiliate of the Giants. He is a 2005 graduate of Menlo School. A switch-hitter, Cavan played in college 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 August, GA in the low Class A South Alantic League before hitting .270 in 130 games with 12, homers, 10 steals and 90 RBIs with high Class A San Jose of the California League last year.  

"I went to Candlestick Park as a kid and saw Barry Bonds," he said. "The draft day was a life-changing event for me. 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. Now Manwaring is a catching instructor in the Giants' minor league system and at times Cavan will get to see him.  

Cavan was not listed among the top 30 prospects in the Giants' system prior to this season by Baseball America, an industry leader. Dave Machemer, the Richmond manager and a long-time veteran mentor in the minors, said Cavan is great fielder but will have to get on base more if he wants 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, then got the chance to play Division I baseball at Santa Barbara. He played amateur baseball against Richmond teammates Gary Brown of Diamond Bar, CA and pitcher Justin Fitzgerald. Brown is an outfielder and one of the top prospects in the Giants' system.  

Now Cavan is trying to get back to the West Coast, hopefully as a member of the Giants.

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