Friday, April 06, 2012

Giants' Opening Day lineup much younger this year


Hopefully, much younger translates into much better. We'll see.

Giants' Opening Day lineup much younger this year:

"Some of that depends on the other half of the management team, specifically whether manager Bruce Bochy, who is known for giving young players a short rope, loosens the slack and keeps guys like Brandon Belt and Brandon Crawford in the lineup even if they struggle.

That is the plan. Though the initial thought was to platoon Crawford with a right-handed hitter, the 25-year-old shortstop had such a good approach against lefties in spring training, Sabean now views Crawford as a 150-start player. The proof of that commitment came in the final roster, which includes only one backup middle infielder.

Bochy also pledges to stick Belt at first base for the long haul, convinced that he has matured as a hitter since last year."
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Bochy Announces Plan for Belt, Pill & Huff:

Bruce Bochy is the master of lineup tweaks. But in meeting with the media after the Giants' final spring training game, it appears as if he's looking for more stability.

Aubrey Huff will be the Giants' every-day left fielder in 2012, leaving Brandon Belt and Brett Pill to platoon at first base. Belt will face the lion share of right-handers with Pill taking the lefties.

"I don't want to switch it up," Bochy said. "I want to stay consistent."

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2012 GIANTS OPENING DAY ROSTER

Pitchers
Jeremy Affeldt LHP
Madison Bumgarner LHP
Matt Cain RHP
Santiago Casilla RHP
Clay Hensley RHP
Tim Lincecum RHP
Javier Lopez LHP
Guillermo Mota RHP
Dan Otero RHP
Sergio Romo RHP
Brian Wilson RHP
Barry Zito LHP

Catchers
Buster Posey C
Hector Sanchez C

Infielders
Brandon Belt IF/OF
Emmanuel Burriss IF
Brandon Crawford IF
Aubrey Huff IF/OF
Brett Pill IF/OF
Pablo Sandoval IF
Ryan Theriot IF

Outfielders
Gregor Blanco OF
Melky Cabrera OF
Angel Pagan OF
Nate Schierholtz OF

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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.