While standing in the batter's box, the Giants' second-base prospect will touch a tattoo -- 'DJ' and '19' -- inscribed on his back memorializing his older brother, who battled kidney cancer for 19 years and died at age 25 in September 2004.

DJ, says Frandsen, was always a calming, yet upbeat, soul and even now pokes fun at his younger sibling if Kevin gets down on himself or -- at those rare times -- feels a bit smug.

"He's probably laughing up there right now," said Frandsen, who hears his brother whisper mischievously, "No way ... I'll give him an 0-for-5."

Reminders of DJ are everywhere -- a picture of him smiling is in Kevin's clubhouse cubicle, and the player sports a red wristband bearing his sibling's favorite credo, "Go the distance, never give up" -- and Frandsen can visualize his brother and guiding spirit at any moment, watching inner video-tape replays of their all-too-brief life together.

Only 23, Frandsen is one of the San Francisco Giants' premier prospects, who burst into the spotlight with super seasons at Class A San Jose, Double-A Norwich and Triple-A Fresno last year, a rare quick ascension up the Minor League ladder.

The San Jose native had an eye-opening campaign in his hometown, hitting .351 with two homers, 40 RBIs and 13 stolen bases, earning California League Player of the Month honors and helping the Giants win the loop title.

A stupendous year for the quick-footed second baseman, and DJ was along for the ride.

"He's wearing a Giants uniform, and I'm playing for his team, too," said Frandsen, who credits his personal coach -- that's his dad, Dave, who also played baseball at San Jose State -- for the gift of athleticism and sports fundamentals and DJ for putting life and the looming threat of death into perspective.

Wilms' tumor -- a nasty cancer, which coils around the kidneys in young patients -- struck DJ at age six, and the Frandsens' life was forever altered, with years of pain, chemotherapy, hospitals and surgeries.

And the gamut of emotional traumas.

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"He was my best friend and the biggest influence in my life," said Frandsen. "Through his battles and everything, I experienced more than most ... day-by-day just watching it. It wasn't fun, but you also saw how DJ rose and became who he was.

"It was hard to get down with him because he was never down, except for a few select days," said Frandsen. "He was the entertainment for the family. For someone on chemo and shriveled ... if it wasn't for the physical aspects, you couldn't even tell he was sick."

DJ was desperately ill, but he survived longer than anyone anticipated, even when doctors removed a kidney, dissected it, radiated it, destroying the cancer, then reattached the organ, though it was only one-eighth its original size.

A brave, spirited boy, DJ was expected to live another few months, but he made it 18 more years.

"It sounds like such a cliché, but I grew up with my brother battling cancer," said Frandsen. "He'd go to chemo sessions then watch me play. That was his goal. He wanted to get to the next day to watch me play. No one does that. He was so excited about life, seeing the next day."

Kevin says his brother's illness brought the Frandsen family together, and he's come to grips with DJ's passing.

"You know he's not in pain," said Frandsen.

Despite a slow start, Frandsen had a wonderful seven-game spurt -- 7-for-13 (.538) with a double, homer and four RBIs. The prospect dismisses talk of "belonging" in the Majors, as it hasn't happened yet.

Frandsen is confident, hardly self-effacing, but even as a teen, he never felt cocky that he was better than anyone else, despite all the accolades, MVP honors and eventually that cherished "hot prospect" label.

Frandsen is a good listener and coachable, and Giants manager Felipe Alou calls him a special player.

"He is tempting fruit," said the manager of pushing the youngster. "But I don't want to mess with Frandsen, who's such a blessed player. He has a good swing and he'll get stronger over time.

"He reminds me of Jeff Kent -- I saw him in A ball in the Florida State League," said Alou. "Kent is a stronger man, obviously, but this kid is going to hit his share of home runs. He has power, and he's going to be an excellent second baseman. He has more range than Kent."

Frandsen shrugs off comparisons, and if an arrogant thought ever enters his mind, there's always DJ chastising him for such nonsense.

But if injuries cripple infielders this year, or someone goes into a tailspin, Frandsen will be on the minds of Giants coaches. But the player still realizes he must wait his turn.

"I'm still young, but having 'Giants' across my chest makes me the happiest guy alive," said Fransden. "I'm getting closer and closer, and I'm really grateful to have a chance, but I have to be patient for an opportunity."

DJ will make sure he does.