San Francisco Giants pitcher Geno Espineli believes that Filipinos has an opportunity to produce great ballplayers in the coming years.

Espineli, who threw the ceremonial first pitch of the finals between the Cebu Dolphins and the Dumaguete Uni-Bikers dressed in his #43 Giants jersey, mentioned that it will take some time for the sport to get back to the glory days of the 1950s until the 1970s.

“Why not,” said Espineli. “Just give them time and they can be as good as the Asian countries that are good in baseball.”

Espineli added that the start-up Baseball Philippines and the discovery of younger players is already a good starting point in developing the sport.

“I heard good things about this league (Baseball Philippines) and what I’ve seen definitely backs it up,” said Espineli. “There are also good guys who can teach the young kids and that’s the strength, you need to get them while they’re young.”

Born to Filipino parents in 1982 in Houston, Texas, Espineli didn’t actually expect to make it to the Major Leagues despite getting drafted in the 14th round by San Francisco in the 2004 draft.

“I thought it was a long shot but then I started to put up good numbers before I was called up,” Espineli said, who pitched for Double-A Connecticut and Triple-A Fresno Grizzlies before being called up in July.

While making a successful debut for the Giants by striking out the first batter he faced, Espineli also remembered the initiations he got from veteran teammates.

“Initiation is always tough when you’re a rookie,” he said. “I think the biggest initiation we rookies got was when they made us dress in girl’s clothes on our way to the airport.”

Espineli is scheduled to visit his mother’s hometown of Lumban, Laguna today before going to the United States Embassy in a barbecue dinner with ambassador Kristie Kenney.