NOTEBOOK : Giants’ Decker Earning Raves

Padre catcher Benito Santiago has seen catchers come and go during his four years in the National League. He has listened to managers and scouts rating catching prospects, invariably comparing them himself.

Always, he has laughed. Until now.

“Everyone always compares some rookie to me, saying they’re the next Benito Santiago,” Santiago said. “It’s crazy. But this guy, I don’t know, he’s pretty good. You know, I think he might be a good one.”

Santiago was talking about San Francisco Giant rookie catcher Steve Decker, the rage of the Bay Area, who perhaps has been the biggest surprise of the NL. Decker, who never has played a game in triple-A, entered Monday’s game batting .300 with four home runs.

“I’m telling you, he’s for real,” Giant Manager Roger Craig said. “Maybe I shouldn’t say this, but I told my coaches in spring training that he’ll make the All-Star team. That’s how much confidence I have in him.

“He’s hit .300 everywhere he’s been. I think what really helps him is being surrounded by great hitters. I mean, you just watch him in batting practice, and he hits them just as far as (Will) Clark and (Kevin) Mitchell.”

Said Mitchell: “Ever since he came here last year, I knew he was going to hit. I can look at people and tell if they’re going to be a good hitter. And Decker’s a good hitter.”

Giant center fielder Willie McGee probably will miss the entire Padre series with a strained right hamstring.

“He can probably play today if I asked him,” Craig said, “but I’m not even going to ask him. I’m a little worried about it, to tell you the truth, because it’s been bothering him all spring. I’d like to keep him out for at least a couple of days.”

Said McGee: “I’m no good to anybody playing like this. I’m just a detriment to the team.”

The Giants entered the game with a major league leading 17 homers. The last time the Giants led the majors in home runs was 1972 when they hit 150. . . . The Padres will play the second game of their three-game series against the Giants at 7:35 tonight. Eric Nolte (2-0) and Scott Garrelts (1-0) are the scheduled starters.