The Slav's Baseball Blog - BASEBALL 24-7-365
The Slav's Blog about anything relating to the great game of baseball
- and other less important issues from outside the diamond.
The best baseball blog that you have never heard of.
I know that many will say the 'Cutch to move to a corner OF spot, but he deserves the right to remind SF of the GOAT, Willie Mays in CF.
Crick is a great turnaround project for Ray Searage. Reynolds is a couple of years away and behind Duggar for future CF. I cannot believe that they could have also had Jay Bruce for 3 yrs. / $39M and low-balled him at a reported $29M for same three years. If they feel they have enough bats now, they go for a low-priced CF like Dyson, or Billy Hamilton, whose price just went down. Carlos Gonzalez could still be in the picture if you're sure about 'Cutch in CF for a full season.
I like the lineup as is and I think Shaw could be the OF bat as soon as 2018.
So far, Arroyo, Reynolds and Crick leveraged into Longoria and McCutchen. Two faces of the franchise, great leadership kind of guys. I like the composition of the team now and for the immediate future. The lineup tilts a bit heavy to the 30+ crowd, but for now, I'm OK with it.
There was a time when the fortunes of two baseball franchises could have been altered considerably based on one pivotal trade.
The Giants wanted and needed Freddie Sanchez's bat in their lineup. The Pirates needed a young, top-tier pitching talent. The Giants had two at the time, who were both pretty evenly rated, in some circles maybe the RHP was more highly regarded. RHP Tim Alderson and LHP Madison Bumgarner.
Bumgarner was actually drafted AFTER Alderson by the Giants, so he started out as the more highly regarded prospect by that measure. Some of the other particulars from back in the day are listed below.
Can you imagine the difference in baseball history if the Pirates had insisted that a young LHP named Madison Bumgarner had been included in the deal instead of RHP Tim Alderson? The paths of the two franchises might have diverged as much as the career paths of the two prospects, indeed they did!!
Alderson has struggled to make a name for himself at any level higher than AA and Madison Bumgarrner grew up to be....well Madison Bumgarner.
I shudder to think where the Giants would be had the Pirates insisted and the Giants had acquiesced in trading the prospect with the funny name, the questionable mechanics and the volatile demeanor.
A dilemma (Greek: δίλημμα "double proposition") is a problem offering two ... In formal logic, the definition of a dilemma differs markedly from everyday usage.
According to one National League executive, the Pirates are pushing to trade all-star second baseman Freddy Sanchez.
San Francisco and Colorado are two teams with which the Pirates have spoken, the source said, but there are as many as four or five more.
The Giants apparently would be willing to move left-handed starter Jonathan Sanchez, currently a reliever. He alone could not complete a deal for Freddy Sanchez, but the Giants' system has plenty of pitching prospects.
The San Francisco Giants, taking another step to upgrade the National League's 15th-ranked offense, acquired three-time All-Star Freddy Sanchez from Pittsburgh on Wednesday for pitching prospect Tim Alderson.
Sanchez, 31, won the National League batting title in 2006. He's hitting .296 this year and ranks fifth in the major leagues in doubles. He helps upgrade a San Francisco offense that ranks 15th in the National League in runs scored.
The Giants, 54-46 and tied with Colorado for first in the NL wild-card race, have remade the right side of their infield leading up to Friday's trade deadline. They acquired first basemanRyan Garkoin a trade with Cleveland on Monday, and will now plug in Sanchez at second base.
It was hard to tell on Draft Day 2007 who was the better prospect. They were both ranked as potential high 1st rounders, not much difference between the two guys.
Alderson's fastball sits in the 89-93 mph range and grades out as a solid-average to a tick above-average pitch.
Curve:
Alderson's curve has the chance to be a plus pitch in the future.
Changeup:
Alderson has a decent changeup, but doesn't need to use it much in high school.
Control:
Alderson has plus, plus command. He issued his first walk of the season in this start while striking out 13. Dating back to last year, he's walked nine and struck out 173.
Poise:
Alderson has excellent mound presence and poise, competing extremely well against a top-ranked opponent in Bishop Gorman.
Physical Description:
Alderson is a tall right-hander with an unorthodox delivery. He's athletic and coordinated on the mound and seems to handle his delivery fine.
Medical Update:
Healthy.
Strengths:
Chance to be three-pitch pitcher; a strike-throwing machine with a lot of deception in his delivery.
Weaknesses:
That delivery and arm action may scare some people off. He pitches exclusively from the stretch, something they start pitchers with in their freshman and sophomore seasons. Alderson stayed with it and made it work for him.
Summary:
With a unique delivery, pitching out of the stretch and unorthodox arm action, some teams may be wary. But Alderson has the chance to have three above-average pitches with outstanding command in a big, athletic package.
Bumgarner's fastball has been clocked anywhere from 89-95 mph.
FB Movement:
Not surprisingly for a lefty, Bumgarner's fastball does have late life with some natural tail. When he's able to keep it down in the zone, it's got some sink and can routinely miss bats with it.
Curve/Slider:
Bumgarner only started throwing breaking stuff a year ago (kudos to dad), so these offerings lag behind the fastball. He throws a curve at around 70-73 mph and has a slider-like pitch at 75-79 mph. They are slurvy offerings with very lazy bite that is often too flat.
Changeup:
He doesn't throw it much because he doesn't need to, but he's shown a pretty good feel and command of the change at times, throwing it in the 79-82 mph range. He sometimes will leave the changeup in warmups and not throw it.
Control:
He's got pretty good command, especially for a hard-throwing high-schooler and was able to throw his fastball for strikes down in the zone.
Poise:
Bumgarner has good poise and mound presence.
Physical Description:
Bumgarner is a big, strong-bodied pitcher with a large, athletic frame from a Mark Mulder or Andy Pettitte mold.
Medical Update:
Healthy.
Strengths:
Plenty of fastball. He touched 95 and there's probably room for more there, with perhaps a ceiling of 97-98 mph possible.
Weaknesses:
The breaking stuff. The curve is well below-average but with more time and experience and his athletic ability, he should be able to develop it as a pro.
Summary:
Bumgarner certainly looks the part, with the body type and fastball of a professional pitcher. Lefties from the high school ranks with plus velocity like that don't come around very often. Any team who takes him will have to keep him from changing his arm angle on his breaking stuff, but chances are there will be many teams willing to give that a shot.
The stories stick with McCutchen, because he wants to be remembered the same way. Baseball has given him a lot in life, and he strives to make a difference by giving back. That's why there are already plenty of stories to be told about what McCutchen has done for others.
Complete coverage
"I think in this world today, we need heroes. And he is absolutely one," said Chris Gessner, the president of the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC. "Not only is he a fantastic player, but he's an even better person."
For that reason, McCutchen received this year's Roberto Clemente Award, given annually to the player who best exemplifies Clemente on and off the field.
McCutchen has also been working with the Make-A-Wish Foundation since 2012, according to Dana Antkowiak, the marketing and communications manager for Make-A-Wish Greater Pennsylvania and West Virginia. During that time, he has visited 11 children with life-threatening medical conditions.
In Spring Training, McCutchen spent a whole day with Owen Taylor, a 7-year-old boy from Everett, Pa., who has a heart condition. In August at PNC Park, McCutchen hosted Cameron Pittman, a 12-year-old from Altoona, Pa., who is battling Hodgkin's lymphoma.
"He has this uncanny ability to very quickly put the child at ease. Very engaged in conversation, asks questions about their interests and their experiences. It's really remarkable," Antkowiak said. "In letters and notes we receive after the wish, these families are profoundly impacted by their experience with him."
The same can be said at the Children's Hospital, where Gessner and the entire staff were particularly pleased to see McCutchen win the Clemente Award.
McCutchen began visiting the hospital shortly after he was called up to the Majors. He and his wife, Maria, have remained a regular presence there, and Gessner said they are generous donors to the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh Foundation.
"They are a wonderful team," Gessner said. "They do this because they care."
Before Halloween, McCutchen supplied the hospital with 200 costumes, giving the children there a chance to trick or treat away from home. Earlier this year, the Children's Hospital held an open art studio. McCutchen took part in the event, drawing and painting with the patients and their families.
One of the children, Matt Graeber, quickly developed a strong bond with McCutchen. A few weeks ago, McCutchen received a letter and a signed baseball from Matt. When he got out of the hospital and started playing baseball again, he hit three homers in two games and sent the first home run ball to McCutchen.
"Those are the kinds of things where he just has a dramatic impact," Gessner said. "He just lights up the room. He's just got a contagious enthusiasm. Our parents and patients just love it when he comes, as does our staff. I hear about it, because there's a buzz in the hospital."
Yet Gessner has never actually met McCutchen. It's a testament to the manner in which McCutchen prefers to give back, Gessner said -- not for the attention, but for the patients and their families.
"He's doing this out of the goodness of his heart," Gessner said. "He does it very quietly, and he wants it that way."
McCutchen also wants people to remember him for it. His father, Lorenzo, often asks him what people will see one day when they look at his tombstone. Will the words describe his baseball career, or what he did for other people?
"That's really all that matters, that you're doing your job and helping people and helping those who can't help themselves," McCutchen said.
That's why McCutchen took more pride in receiving the 2015 Clemente Award than the 2013 National League MVP. He is clearly driven to succeed on the field, but he is equally determined to define his legacy in the community.
"For all the right reasons," Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. "To continue to push to be like Clemente."
Adam Berry is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter at @adamdberry. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
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.
