Thursday, October 23, 2014

Delay the Giants coronations - What a difference a day makes

Giants' bullpen melts down in 7-2 loss to Royals
San Francisco Giants pitcher Hunter Strickland watches as Kansas City Royals Omar Infante runs around the bases after hitting a two-run home run during the sixth inning of Game 2 of baseball's World Series Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2014, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)


Back on the roller coaster, I guess. What a difference a day makes. This is your 2014 Giants season.

Not second guessing one little bit, I had mentioned previously that Bochy was over-exposing Strickland based on some faded memory of him coming in and blowing three fastballs by notoriously big fastball hitting Ian Desmond, while simultaneously ignoring the subsequent BIG BOMBS he has given up?

Phew!! That was  a mouthful.

from Yahoo Sports:
Hunter Strickland's meltdown, on the mound and off, has Giants looking for help - Yahoo Sports:
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Hunter Strickland, the 26-year-old right-hander from Georgia who could throw a fastball through a barn door, found himself in his catcher's arms, in the World Series, which, by itself, sounds pretty good. But, and, well, here's the thing, the folks around him were not jubilant, unless you count the crowd at Kauffman Stadium, which by then technically was a mix of thrilled to be pounding the heck out of Strickland and ticked that their guy was being yelled at by Strickland. Who stared at whom first, and who said what, and why any of that really mattered would be detailed (and shaded blue or orange) later.
'via Blog this'

So can we PLEASE put a hold on marching Bochy into the Hall of Fame for just a moment and concentrate on winning a Series please?

Strickland's fastball is plenty fast. That passes the eyeball test and the radar gun test. However, it is plenty straight and generally poorly located. He hasn't been able to establish his breaking ball as a second pitch worthy of respect, so guys are just sitting on the A-Train and pounding it. It's that simple. I don't think he's tipping anything except that he can't throw anything for strikes except the fastball and he can't paint with that pitch. So sit back, wait for him to put 97 or 98 on a tee and let it rip!!!

In the minors, as Strickland's strikeout rates ballooned (post TJ-surgery BTW), his walk rates also seemed to drop. This is where scouts come in handy. The stats alone would woo you into thinking, "WOW!! The light-bulb has turned on for this guy!!!" The scouts and development guys should have been able to step in and say "Not so fast boys!! He's throwing stuff right down Broadway against guys ill-equipped to handle it. When he gets to The Show, guys are able to turn that stuff around."

Where were those guys back then in this organization and where are they now? Maybe the future closer title for Strickland needs to be dialed back a little bit.

So let's review:
  • Delay Bochy's HOF coronation
  • Delay Strickland's role as closer of the future
  • Delay order on the even-year Giants 2014 World Championship rings, pennants and other assorted paraphernalia








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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.