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How will Joe Panik do for the Giants in 2015? - McCovey Chronicles

http://m.mlb.com/video/?content_id=36820485&topic_id=6479266
Panik's two-run homer


My guess is Mr. panik will do pretty well for the Giants this year. A HR yesterday, on a pitch it looked like he just slapped at and did not get all of, gives a glimpse of the power that I believe will come from his bat later in his career. Joe is now at 3 HR's this spring, tied for the team lead with Brandon Belt.

I love this observation from McCovey Chronicles about Panik because I think it cuts to the heart of what hitting is all about:

A lack of power usually means a player who can't turn a superior eye into gaudy walk totals. Major league pitchers generally have the ability to challenge hitters, partially negating the talents of even the most disciplined hitters if there isn't the threat of a double behind it.

Note: this is what I think some in the SABR crowd have difficulty quantifying and projecting in hitters, JMO .

BTW: I like the recent surge by Daniel Carbonell lately ( .316 BA ) like Matt Duffy, he is going to make the decision to send him out a lot tougher on Bruce Bochy and the staff.

from McCovey Chronicles:
How will Joe Panik do for the Giants in 2015? - McCovey Chronicles:

The projection systems, as well as analysts/scouts like Keith Law, aren't quite as impressed with Panik. 

 Steamer: .255/.305/.337
 ZiPS: .264/.316/.344
 PECOTA: .257/.307/.333 

These systems don't hate you, your favorite sports team, or America. Probably not. They're emotionless, barely sentient spreadsheets. They suck up the minor league numbers, compare them against players who had similar numbers in the past, and spit out major league projections based on what those other players did. History tells us that Panik probably isn't going to hit for enough average or power to be anything close to an above-average hitter. Not yet. All of those systems suggest that he'll have enough defense and baserunning grit to make up for it, but don't expect a repeat of last year's .305 batting average. 

Those disappointing projections are based on a couple of things: Panik had a .343 batting average on balls in play, which is higher than the typical player (while not obscenely so), and he has never hit for a lot of power, even doubles power, in the minors. 

A lack of power usually means a player who can't turn a superior eye into gaudy walk totals. Major league pitchers generally have the ability to challenge hitters, partially negating the talents of even the most disciplined hitters if there isn't the threat of a double behind it.

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Crawford makes it look easy as usual

http://m.mlb.com/sf/video/topic/69972428/v57184983/ladsf-crawford-makes-a-great-play-to-turn-two/?c_id=sf

3/29/15: Brandon Crawford fields a tough grounder and makes a great play to start a 6-4-3 double play

"The great ones make it look easy..." and this was far from an easy play. Crawford just makes 'em look too easy, too routine. He's going to have to start doing back-flips when he goes out to his position or something, to become more appreciated. 

Other than that, Matt Duffy continues to make a strong case to stay on the roster and pushing Adrianza or perhaps Arias off. Both of the A-teamers are out of options and Arias has a decent sized contract, but neither one will slip through waivers unclaimed IMO. Adrianza appears to be wilting under the pressure of competition from Duffy. 

Justin Maxwell is starting to make the case to replace the power void in LF due to the loss of Michael Morse. First, he will likely start in RF due to the Pence injury, but once Pence gets back, perhaps a more permanent slot in LF. Blanco returns to his back-up at every OF position role. 

Belt continues to rake and there is some pressure on him to provide more power. His average is up. Posey is Posey and Pence will be Pence, but Belt needs to add more this season. 

McGehee seems to be scuffling a bit. I wouldn't mind seeing more out of him at this point. The McGehee v. Sandoval stat watch/comparison will be fully operational from Day One with Pablo continuing to open mouth and insert foot. 

I don't see why it was bad for the Giants front-office to admonish Pablo about his weight but it's OK for David Ortiz to do so. Move on Pablo, move on. You're a Red Sox now, trust me, we get it. You will fit in nicely there. 

Andrew Susac among Giants' spring cuts Sunday : Fantasy News

Susac is a bit of a surprise. He may be the better C at this moment, but he has options and Sanchez does not. And his name is not Kris Bryant, so he doesn't have Scott Boras squealing like a spoiled child on his behalf.


from CBS Sports:
Andrew Susac among Giants' spring cuts Sunday : Fantasy News:

by R.J. White | CBSSports.com Sun, 29 Mar 2015 1:04 PM ET The Giants optioned catcher Andrew Susac, first baseman Adam Duvall, pitcher Hunter Strickland and outfielders Gary Brown and Juan Perez to Triple-A Sacramento Sunday. Susac was the favorite to open the season as the team's No. 2 catcher behind Buster Posey, but Hector Sanchez won the competition, leaving Susac to open the season as the team's starter in Triple-A. The Giants also reassigned catcher Guillermo Quiroz, second baseman Brandon Hicks and pitchers Brett Bochy, Steven Okert and Juan Gutierrez to minor-league camp.

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The same dynamic may play out if it comes down to Matt Duffy v. Ehire Adrianza. Duffy is clearly out-performing, but could find himself starting the season in AAA.

Okert is a bit of a surprise, but there probably will not be enough spots for him to pitch in the early months of the season, so he is better off starting the season in AAA. Let some arms tire or break down and Okert is just a phone call and a bus ride away.

Strickland proves that HR are not just another hit, especially to relief pitchers since they are more often  the 2 and 3 run variety, rather than empty base HR's. He needs to either vary his pitches or location and add some deception to his delivery to keep guys from teeing off on him. His delivery seems too "paint by the numbers" and hitters seem to read it easily. That more than tipping his pitches, seems to be the problem for Strickland, IMO. He has an "easy read" maximum comfort delivery and paradoxically, his control numbers work against him. He needs a little of the "Ryne Duren" story to him.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ryne_Duren

1. Ryne Duren

   Baseball player
2. Rinold George "Ryne" Duren was an American relief pitcher in Major League Baseball. He was known for the combination of his blazing fastball and his very poor vision. With his thick coke bottle glasses, few batters dared to dig in against Duren. Wikipedia

Giants' top prospects sent out on first day of camp cuts | CSN Bay Area

Giants Spring Training

They are the Giants future, but the future ain't now. I liked what I saw of Williamson and I can see why many like Arroyo and some believe he will be Joe Panik 2.0, smewhat under-appreciated and under-rated, but effective. He is a couple of years off.

from CSN Bay Area:
Giants' top prospects sent out on first day of camp cuts | CSN Bay Area:

Eleven players were reassigned to minor league camp, where games start this week: Christian Arroyo, Ty Blach, Kyle Crick, Aramis Garcia, Cory Gearrin, Adalberto Mejia, Ty Ross, Chris Stratton, Carlos Triunfel, Kelby Tomlinson and Mac Williamson. Cuban outfielder Daniel Carbonell was optioned to Double-A Richmond and right-handers Joan Gregorio and Derek Law were optioned to Single-A San Jose.  

The group includes three first-round picks, all of whom had their moments during a month in big league camp. Crick was pitching well until giving up five runs Monday, and Stratton impressed coaches with his poise and raw stuff. Arroyo got off to a hot start at the plate and showed the hit tool that scouts love.

Williamson showed that he's fully healthy after losing a season to Tommy John surgery, and he had two triples and a double while going 5 for 15 and playing strong defense in right field. Coaches believe Williamson, who likely will begin the season in Double-A, could move quickly. 

Law is also coming back from Tommy John surgery and has been throwing bullpen sessions.

Blach had a rough start to the spring but pitched three strong relief innings in his final outing. Garcia and Ross are young catchers who were in camp for the first time, but not the last. Gearrin, a former Atlanta Brave, never got in a game because of an injury. Mejia pitched well and looked unfazed by facing big league hitters, but the organization's top left-handed prospect will begin the season on a 50-game suspension for use of a banned substance. Triunfel and Carbonell both homered during Cactus League action, Tomlinson showed that he's one of the fastest players in the organization, and Gregorio -- who was added to the 40-man roster in the offseason -- had five scoreless outings. "

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Arroyo and Williamson would be the only two position players in the Prospect Top Ten. I would put Carbonell at #15 and Aramis Garcia at #12, but Carbonell got more opportunities, so they want / need him before they need another catcher.

Other than possibly Okert, I can't see any pitchers cracking the Opening Day roster and he may be blocked by the Giants bullpen depth, Law to Single-A is a concern coming off Tommy John.  Blach got some looks, but he still got hit pretty good in spots, as expected. Hopefully, Stratton picks up the pace if they need a starter,

My Top Ten:

1. Kyle Crick RHP
2. Tyler Beede RHP
3. Keury Mella RHP
4. Adalberto Mejia LHP ( 50 game suspension )
5. Clayton Blackburn RHP
6. Christian Arroyo SS
7. Ty Blach LHP
8. Steven Okert LHP
9. Chris Stratton
10. Mac Williamson ( could probably go higher on him, the time lost to injury hurt his status )
11. Luis Ysla LHP
12. Aramis Garcia C
13. Joan Gregorio RHP
14. Michael Santos RHP ( 19 year old, but could move fast )
15. Daniel Carbonell CF ( if Pagan goes down and stays down and Giants flirt with .500 or worse...)

After #15, it's guys that I'm guessing on, and you're not going to see for a while anyway. Heck, maybe after #10. Giants need Carbonell to move fast as well. He showed some signs here and there, but he showed more why he's there than here, I suppose.

I'm ready for the real games to start and we have two weeks left. Who made this schedule anyway?

Let's PLAY BALL!!!

Spring Training is here and the sights and sounds of baseball are back | MLB.com

Music to my ears!!

from MLB.com
Spring Training is here and the sights and sounds of baseball are back | MLB.com:

"Spring Training is here and the sights and sounds of baseball are back"

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Oh, the winter doldrums!!!

This .gif more than adequately illustrates why baseball is the greatest, fairest game in the world.

Because the minute you allow your concentration to be split between the task at hand of helping your base-runner and your spring training dream of a post-game hook-up with the ceremonial Hooters ball girl tanning her legs down the third base line....Well, shucks I don't care how many people yell "Ball, Ball, Ball!!" or how how loud they yell it, your package is going to get lit up.

And deservedly so.

It's OK, dear. They can't see you now. The focus is on the glove.

Keep your head in the game fellas.

We could see the first right turn by a base-runner rounding third-base in the history of baseball next spring training if this keeps up.

Pitchers and Catchers Report in a mere 46 days ( Rays P&C's report Feb 14, 2014).
http://www.springtrainingonline.com/reporting-dates/

When it's consistently below zero in Chicago -- and has been for what seems like the last month -- this is the kind of blog post you're likely to get.

Pitchers and catchers report!!

The four most comforting words in the English language. Especially up here in Chicago in mid-February.

Punxsutawney Phil is OK, but "Pitchers and catchers report" is still my favorite indicator for when spring will arrive.

OK Phil, back in the hole!! It's nothing personal.

Florida 2016 or bust indeed!!!

from Yahoo Sports
Spring training is here! See the reporting dates for all 30 major league teams | Big League Stew - Yahoo! Sports:

Via Spring Training Online, here are the pitcher-and-catcher reporting dates for each major league team (starting Sunday and continuing through the week). Their first full squad workout date follows in parentheses.

Sunday, Feb. 10
Boston Red Sox (Feb. 15), Chicago Cubs (17), Cleveland Indians (15), Colorado Rockies (17).

Monday, Feb. 11
Arizona Diamondbacks (Feb. 15), Atlanta Braves (15), Cincinnati Reds (16), Detroit Tigers (15), Houston Astros (16), Kansas City Royals (15), Miami Marlins (15), New York Mets (17), Oakland Athletics (17), Pittsburgh Pirates (15).

Tuesday, Feb. 12
Baltimore Orioles (Feb. 16), Chicago White Sox (18), Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (16), Los Angeles Dodgers (16), Milwaukee Brewers (16), Minnesota Twins (16), New York Yankees (18), St. Louis Cardinals (16), San Diego Padres (16), San Francisco Giants (16), Seattle Mariners (16), Tampa Bay Rays (17), Texas Rangers (16), Toronto Blue Jays (17), Washington Nationals (16).

Wednesday, Feb. 13
Philadelphia Phillies (Feb. 17).

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