SCOTTSDALE -- Tim Lincecum got a pair of fly balls and a four-pitch strikeout. Talk about an efficient work day.

San Francisco's top draft pick in 2006 threw all of nine pitches in an intrasquad game Tuesday, seven for strikes. Aside from his stint with Class-A San Jose last summer, it was the first time the strong-armed right-hander wore Giants across his chest in competition — and his bosses liked what they saw.

"He had an easy inning," manager Bruce Bochy said. "He threw strikes and had good stuff. Well, he's impressive. Shoot, obviously we think a lot of him. He has tremendous arm speed. You can tell he's a good competitor and a great athlete, too. This kid has a chance to be real special."

The Giants selected the 22-year-old Lincecum with the 10th overall pick in last year's draft out of Washington and haven't ruled him out as a possibility to make the opening day roster. Yet he is being groomed as a starter and probably will begin the season at Triple-A Fresno.

He would have preferred to strike out the side, but was satisfied with his outing nonetheless. Ivan Ochoa flied out to left before Lincecum struck out Tomas De La Rosa, who later connected for a two-run homer. Dan Ortmeier then made a great diving catch in center field to rob Nate Schierholtz of a hit on the first pitch by Lincecum.

A quick 1-2-3.

He has been focused on throwing more strikes, and had no trouble finding the zone this time.

"That's always been my problem," Lincecum said. "Working on throwing strikes and working on hitting location, I think I did a little better at that today. ... It was not that many pitches and 1-2-3, those are always good to see. It was more like a game situation with umpires playing behind you, so just getting out there and throwing again was good."

Bochy and pitching coach Dave Righetti sat behind home plate, while other members of the front office watched from the stands. Lincecum pitched in only eight professional games last season, going a combined 2-0 with a 1.71 ERA at two levels of Class-A ball. He will take the mound again March 5.

Lincecum was the two-time Pac-10 Pitcher of the Year and career strikeout leader for the conference with 491 Ks. He went 12-4 with three saves and a 1.94 ERA in 22 games and 17 starts for the Huskies last year.

For Bochy, the game provided him with his first real glimpse of the organization's young talent. Most of the players were non-roster invitees. Ortmeier, who is on the 40-man roster and played nine games in the big leagues last season, impressed the skipper with his heads-up defense.

"What a tremendous play he made," said Bochy, pleased all around with the pitching and defense. "I didn't think he had a chance. I know he's a great athlete. That's why it's nice to see these guys play right now. ... It's so important to have depth in case something happens. We know what we're looking at now if we do have to call on them."

The Giants will have another intrasquad game Wednesday.