The Giants finally played their final Cactus League game today. Although they lost, there was plenty to comment on, both good and bad. Key Lines:
Gregor Blanco- 0 for 5. BA= .333
Emmanuel Burriss- 0 for 5. BA= .310. Top 2 batters in the lineup went 0 for 10. Yikes! Pretty tough to score when that happens.
Aubrey Huff- 2 for 4. BA= .304. Huff started in LF again. He's had a quiet, but reasonably effective spring. The fact that he has started the last 2 games in LF would seem to indicate the Giants are seriously considering keeping Brandon Belt on the active roster.
Nate Schierholtz- 2 for 4. BA= .220. Nate had been just 4 for his last 31 before today's game.
Joaquin Arias- 2 for 4. BA= .304. Arias played 3B in this one. I didn't see it, but he reportedly had a rough time on D.
Brandon Crawford- 2 for 4, HR(3), SB(1). BA= .340. I am really trying to temper my enthusiasm for Brandon Crawford right now. Am I crazy for thinking he could be a sleeper of sleepers and actually end up with some fantasy value this year? Recommend reading Baggs article in CSN Bay Area about Brandon and his boyhood idol/role model Royce Clayton. Royce Clayton? I like it! It seems Crawford's agent is also Clayton's agent and arranged for them to talk before Brandon was even drafted by the Giants. Clayton passed on to Brandon the same advice Robby Thompson gave Royce: "Your job is to solidify this infield!" By that, he meant play solid D from the SS position. I think Crawford has a chance to be a lot better than Royce Clayton, but having him as a role model and his advice as his mission, I think it will help him play within himself and persevere when the inevitable slumps come at the plate. I am excited about Brandon Crawford!
Tim LIncecum- 2 for 2. BA= .667. Timmy may have had a rough day on the mound, but he's obviously ready to start the season at the plate!
Tim Lincecum- 4.2 IP, 8 H, 6 R, 1 BB, 4 K's. ERA= 5.70. Timmy said he was happy with the fastball and feels ready to start the season. Let's hope so!
Brett Bochy- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's. ERA= 0.00. Melonhead Jr. makes his MLB debut, albeit in an exhibition game. He made the old man proud in this one. He's jumping over San Jose and going to AA Richmond which is huge.
Dan Otero- 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K's. ERA= 0.82. Gotta think Otero has the inside track for the temporary last spot in the bullpen.
The Giants start the Bay Bridge Series tomorrow evening in AT&T Park with Madison Bumgarner taking the mound.
Around the League:
Ubaldo Jimenez apparently carries some hard feelings towards the Rockies for trading him last year and has had some things to say about it. Troy Tulowitzki has had some things to say about Jimenez chirping about the Rockies. Today, it all boiled over on the field. Jimenez hit Tulo hard in the elbow. Tulo had some more things to say and Jimenez came off the mound pounding his chest and challenging Tulo, which seems pretty bush league under the circumstances. Tulowitzki had X-rays that did not show a fracture, but has a very sore elbow. The Rockies will ask the commish to suspend Jimenez which seems justified based on everything I've read. Of course, Ubaldo says the HBP was unintentional.
Desmond Jennings hit 3 dingers in a Grapefruit League game today. Eesh! Maybe I should have bid up on him in my fantasy draft?
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DrB - I share your cautious enthusiasm for Crawford. I spouted my mouth about him early, and have had to temper everything I say about him since then. His defense is absolutely awesome. Let's start with that and see how it goes. I think he'll turn out alright.
ReplyDeleteI also want to say a quick go get em to Huff. Please go watch the 2010 DVDs one time, just one more time and give the guy 6 weeks. It'll make everybody happy during this freak out. He got exposed last year, I don't think he deserves getting lumped in with other unmentionables. I also hope the Giants are serious about their public proclamations from the end of last year.
The Giants need some uplifting stories coming out of camp, everything is way too negative. Crawford is a good start.
http://www.milb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120402&content_id=27839716&vkey=news_t476&fext=.jsp&sid=t476
ReplyDeletesj roster
giants stack sj once again
Happy days are here. Cain is signed, and while details are emerging, it looks like its a pretty fair deal for both club and Cain.
ReplyDeleteShank enjoy your happiness, until Zito opens in CO.
DeleteWas there ever any doubt? Just kidding.
ReplyDeleteWell Doc, seems Matt signed for about what you expected. More than you wanted. Higher money than we can project his WAR value. I'm interested to hear your reaction to this.
ReplyDeleteAs you can guess from previous comments, I'm pretty pleased with this. I know this signing helps in multiple secondary ways, starting with Tim's future (or lack of) with the club after 2013.
Thank god this deal got done. Glad to have Cainer for another half a decade at least! Good job Giants on getting this thing done!!
ReplyDeleteCain signed!!! WAR value or not, as a fan I love watching Timmy & Cain & MadBun toe the rubber. Chicks may dig the long ball, but I can dig the well pitched game and the fact that the Giants are in almost every game because of it. Bring on the Torture! And thank you Giants Brass.
ReplyDeleteI'm happy they signed Cainer. Intellectually, I have to say it is a risky signing, but if any pitchers is capable of pitching up to the contract it would be Matt. We'll just have to keep our fingers crossed for the next 6 years hoping he stays healthy.
ReplyDeleteWhat makes this deal less risky for the Giants is the stream of young, inexpensive talent that continues to flow from the farm system. Right now, Cain is the only big investment beyond 2014. Timmy will be up for FA after 2013, Sandoval after 2014, but both Posey and Bumgarner are controlled through 2016 by which time Cain will have just one more guaranteed year on his contract. Prospects like Brown, Panik and Hembree plus Belt and hopefully Crawford will keep them from having to spend a lot on other players.