Monday, April 21, 2008

MLB Season Review - First Three Weeks



THE GIANTS JOHN BOWKER - THE SAN JOSE GIANTS!!! WHO KNEW ABOUT THIS GUY???

The Giants appear to be on pace and fully capable of fulfilling the Statistical Troika of Doom this season:

1) Score less than 500 runs - check
2) Less HR's than Wins - slightly ahead of pace, damn John Bowker
3) Lose over 100 Games - minus Tim Lincecum, this seems like lock

I see a lot of people going to Giants games disguised as empty seats, more than ever before in recent memory. I wonder why. Team ownership can comfort themselves all they want with the knowledge that the vast majority of those seats are paid for this season. But consumer are funny, they like to get value for their hard earned money and if they are eating the tickets or giving them to friends who aren't interested in showing up, that cannot bode well for future attendance. I'm just saying.

Giants .247/.367/.296 BA/SLG/OBA numbers are all well below the league averages. The staff ERA of 4.44 is slightly above the league average as is opponents BA of .295. The bullpens comparative numbers are even worse, meaning no lead is safe and the team's supposed strength may not be one after all. LONG SEASON for the Gigantes.
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The Rays are not getting the burst out of the gate I expected, allowing Toronto and even the Orioles to run to the front. Given past history, this team does not want to dig too big a hole for itself.

The hitting numbers .248/.401/.330 are average at best, mediocre in this division. The pitching staff is surprisingly holding it's own across the board, starters and bullpen. I thought the offense would be better, but maybe when the weather warms...oh yeah, they play in the constantly 72 degree Tropicana Muffin Dome. Maybe when they venture outdoors, the offense will come around.

The Longoria signing was a shocker. I thought the economics was the main reason for sending the kid down out of spring training? Then they bring him back for six games and lock him up for about a decade. It's a heck of a deal for the Rays if he produces as expected but the precedent is a bit dangerous. Wonder how a B.J. Upton feels about how the organization see his future. Or Carl Crawford. I know it was different ownership, but this could have clubhouse ramifications for the kid. Hopefully not, but human nature is a funny thing.
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The White Sox are off to a good start, bringing back memories of the 2005 season for their fans. I think that's a bit of a reach and the division is better now than it was then, but they look like they will contend, replacing the Twins. The Tigers can't be as bad as they've shown so far.
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The Cubbies are out of the gate strong. Not clicking on all cylinders yet offensively, but the pitching looks strong and deep. No holes there so far. Kerry Wood is settling into his role as the closer, one of the early question marks.
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Giants Top Minor League Prospects

  • 1. Joey Bart 6-2, 215 C Power arm and a power bat, playing a premium defensive position. Good catch and throw skills.
  • 2. Heliot Ramos 6-2, 185 OF Potential high-ceiling player the Giants have been looking for. Great bat speed, early returns were impressive.
  • 3. Chris Shaw 6-3. 230 1B Lefty power bat, limited defensively to 1B, Matt Adams comp?
  • 4. Tyler Beede 6-4, 215 RHP from Vanderbilt projects as top of the rotation starter when he works out his command/control issues. When he misses, he misses by a bunch.
  • 5. Stephen Duggar 6-1, 170 CF Another toolsy, under-achieving OF in the Gary Brown mold, hoping for better results.
  • 6. Sandro Fabian 6-0, 180 OF Dominican signee from 2014, shows some pop in his bat. Below average arm and lack of speed should push him towards LF.
  • 7. Aramis Garcia 6-2, 220 C from Florida INTL projects as a good bat behind the dish with enough defensive skill to play there long-term
  • 8. Heath Quinn 6-2, 190 OF Strong hitter, makes contact with improving approach at the plate. Returns from hamate bone injury.
  • 9. Garrett Williams 6-1, 205 LHP Former Oklahoma standout, Giants prototype, low-ceiling, high-floor prospect.
  • 10. Shaun Anderson 6-4, 225 RHP Large frame, 3.36 K/BB rate. Can start or relieve
  • 11. Jacob Gonzalez 6-3, 190 3B Good pedigree, impressive bat for HS prospect.
  • 12. Seth Corry 6-2 195 LHP Highly regard HS pick. Was mentioned as possible chip in high profile trades.
  • 13. C.J. Hinojosa 5-10, 175 SS Scrappy IF prospect in the mold of Kelby Tomlinson, just gets it done.
  • 14. Garett Cave 6-4, 200 RHP He misses a lot of bats and at times, the plate. 13 K/9 an 5 B/9. Wild thing.

2019 MLB Draft - Top HS Draft Prospects

  • 1. Bobby Witt, Jr. 6-1,185 SS Colleyville Heritage HS (TX) Oklahoma commit. Outstanding defensive SS who can hit. 6.4 speed in 60 yd. Touched 97 on mound. Son of former major leaguer. Five tool potential.
  • 2. Riley Greene 6-2, 190 OF Haggerty HS (FL) Florida commit.Best HS hitting prospect. LH bat with good eye, plate discipline and developing power.
  • 3. C.J. Abrams 6-2, 180 SS Blessed Trinity HS (GA) High-ceiling athlete. 70 speed with plus arm. Hitting needs to develop as he matures. Alabama commit.
  • 4. Reece Hinds 6-4, 210 SS Niceville HS (FL) Power bat, committed to LSU. Plus arm, solid enough bat to move to 3B down the road. 98MPH arm.
  • 5. Daniel Espino 6-3, 200 RHP Georgia Premier Academy (GA) LSU commit. Touches 98 on FB with wipe out SL.

2019 MLB Draft - Top College Draft Prospects

  • 1. Adley Rutschman C Oregon State Plus defender with great arm. Excellent receiver plus a switch hitter with some pop in the bat.
  • 2. Shea Langliers C Baylor Excelent throw and catch skills with good pop time. Quick bat, uses all fields approach with some pop.
  • 3. Zack Thompson 6-2 LHP Kentucky Missed time with an elbow issue. FB up to 95 with plenty of secondary stuff.
  • 4. Matt Wallner 6-5 OF Southern Miss Run producing bat plus mid to upper 90's FB closer. Power bat from the left side, athletic for size.
  • 5. Nick Lodolo LHP TCU Tall LHP, 95MPH FB and solid breaking stuff.