SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- What a memorable 2006 season it was for second baseman Kevin Frandsen, and it's not over yet.

Say what?

His regular campaign is in the books -- 41 games with the Giants, .307 average with Triple-A Fresno, first Major League homer -- yet the calendar year keeps marching on, and the 24-year-old Frandsen is in his "second season" competing in the Arizona Fall League for the Scottsdale Scorpions.

Wouldn't you know it, the 12th-round pick in the 2004 First-Year Player Draft out of San Jose State continues to shock and impress, especially in the past week.

Frandsen earned AFL Co-Player of the Week honors by hitting .571 during that stretch to maintain his league-leading .431 average while also knocking in 10 runs with two homers, a .609 on-base percentage and .653 slugging percentage.

He's also one of six candidates for the MLB.com AFL Dernell Stenson Sportsmanship Award, to be presented Wednesday night at Scottsdale Stadium.

And it gets even better.

The sure-handed Frandsen is also destined, by most observers, to stick with San Francisco next season as either a utility infielder or the starter at second base, although an admittedly rocky rookie campaign -- .215 average, three errors -- caused a mini crimp in his confidence.

That's hardly unexpected for a guy who had played only 226 Minor League games and was seeing Major League pitching for the first time, but while his hot AFL play has resurrected that self-assurance, Frandsen felt his Giants experience was a positive, not a negative.

For one thing, his jaw was broken on the last pitch he saw at Fresno, but Frandsen still went 3-for-5 with a homer and two doubles vs. San Diego four days later -- before being put on the disabled list.

His injury cooled him off, and his swing never returned in September.

"The Giants gave me a great opportunity to showcase who I am, and that's the biggest thing," said Frandsen. "I didn't struggle because I was rushed -- [former manager] Felipe Alou told me that.

"I did struggle, though," he continued. "I wanted to hit, but I got to a point where I was uncomfortable at the plate by not having a consistent amount of at-bats. I'd be in a swing mode all the time, trying to make something happen."

Frandsen's bat is a seeing-eye stick -- it hits everything, no matter the curve, the speed, the slice. That's a curse at times, but through those rough patches he learned to be more selective, more patient, yet still keeping the aggression.

That mindset is evident in Arizona.

"I've been blessed with great hand-eye coordination -- I can do whatever I want with the bat, and here I'm showing it," said Frandsen. "I've gone out of the zone a couple of times, but I'm not beating myself up over it. I'm in the right frame of mind and sticking with the plan."

With the Giants, Frandsen took -- for the first time in his career -- some verbal and written critical shots. Can't hit big-league pitching, kid? Pressure getting to you? How come you missed that easy popup?

"I did have a lot of stuff written about what I did wrong, but that happens," he said. "I understand that and I'm not dwelling on it. I think I handled myself well enough."

True enough. Frandsen never shied away from the postgame media ... well, except that day in Milwaukee, when a horde of reporters and TV types descended upon him after his batting-cage foul ball kayoed Barry Bonds. He was a bit stunned but still faced the cameras.

As for the Stenson award, Frandsen is deserving, as are the others, and win or lose, it won't change the man.

His late brother, D.J., who died of cancer two years ago, was a great influence on the budding star, reminding him never to get arrogant, to immerse himself in baseball and enjoy the game, the fans, his teammates.

"I've tried to adapt to what he was," said Frandsen. "Before, I was personable but kind of shy, and it took a while to get acclimated. He used to go up to people and make sure they felt important around him -- that's how he was."

Frandsen is now embracing notoriety and quasi-fame, a necessity if a ballplayer is destined for the Majors. That's his goal, and with an expected influx of younger Giants players next season, his timing is perfect.

"There's a new wave and you want to be part of that -- I should be," he said. "I want to show the Giants I'm an everyday guy. I believe I am."

Rich Draper is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

He can field very well too which is a big bonus. Him + Vizquel would make a very good DP combo.