Saturday, August 30, 2014

Giants notes: Panik's future in two-spot, Belt becomes father | CSN Bay Area



In my opinion as well, the future is now. What's not to like? You would have Pagan and Panik, two .300 average types setting the table for Posey, Pablo, Pence and Morse. Pence drops to an RBI producing slot rather than the top of the order spot he was misplaced in due to Pagan and Scutaro's injuries. Blanco is adding some pop in the seven hole and if Susac stays in the .230 - .250 range he has value.

from CSN Bay Area:
Giants notes: Panik's future in two-spot, Belt becomes father | CSN Bay Area:

Joe Panik, who's looked very comfortable hitting at the bottom of the order in recent weeks, will bat second. "I think that could eventually be a spot for him, sooner than later," Bochy said. "I think he could be a good two-hole hitter." Bochy later said that he's more interested in putting his best hitters at the top of the lineup than worrying about putting a specific type of hitter – like one who's known for bat control, for instance. Lately, Panik has been one of the team's best and hottest hitters, raising his average from .203 on Aug. 2 to .297 going into today's game. 
'via Blog this'

The biggest project for now is to get Brandon Crawford turned around at the dish. He looks dazed and confused up there lately, swinging through hitters pitches and flailing at pitchers pitches. He is too good a hitter to be struggling at .225 and yet he continues to look more and more like Adrianza with occasional power. Something has to give there and it's getting so bad, you wonder if Brandon isn't hiding an injury.

The next decision happens when / if Belt comes back in September. At that point, you're taking AB's from a rejuvenated Gregor Blanco and Michael Morse.

The lineup is showing signs of life even to the point of providing Vogelsong with run support. Here's to hoping it continues for a September stretch run.


More good stuff from this story: Panik about Posey and Posey about Panik
http://www.csnbayarea.com/giants/rewind-panik-posey-form-solid-2-3-punch-giants-victory

Confidence is the operative word, isn’t it? Posey was batting a lukewarm .278 just nine games ago before a 20-for-40 scorcher lifted him to .297. But he has an NL MVP trophy to assuage any doubts. Panik has … what? An MVP trophy from the short-season Northwest League, when he hit .341 for Salem-Keizer three years ago?
It’s infinitely harder for a rookie to carry himself the same way through a slow start. Even when Panik was hitting .203 through 24 games, though, he said he didn’t lose hope.
But did he really believe he could walk into the big leagues and hit .300?
“Honestly, yeah,” he said, still sounding self-aware. “Wherever I’ve gone, I’ve always believed I can be a good hitter and nothing has changed since I got here. I got off to a slow start but I’ve always believed in myself. There’s a month left in the season but I’m happy with the progress I’ve made.”
 Said Posey: “You talk about confidence. It seems the last three or four weeks, every time he comes to bat he gets a hit. It’s just a real nice, simple approach and a knack for putting the barrel on the ball. If you can do that, you’ll have success.”
Panik said while in the minor leagues, he would watch Posey whenever he could. He’d get excited if San Jose or Fresno were playing a night game and the Giants had a businessman’s special. It meant a chance to turn on the TV and try to learn something.
“I mean, whoa,” Panik said. “It’s impressive. He’s such an impressive hitter. You can learn a lot from him and right now he’s hot and he’s one of the best hitters in baseball for a reason.”
Panik hits from the left side. Posey has a smooth right-handed stroke. But in terms of approach and confidence, there are similarities – even in what they choose to admire about each other.
“Just how simple he keeps it,” Posey said. “He doesn’t have a lot of movement. He’s in a good position to hit.”
Said Panik: “Just approach, how he uses the whole field. How many hits went the other way? Three or four? That’s why he’s a .300 hitter. He’s comfortable up there. He’s an MVP.”









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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.