Joey Bart rose to the challenge at hand but Alex Cobb's plans for using technology to outsmart the pitch clock ran into unanticipated consequences as the Padres spring travel squad topped the Giants. Key Lines:
Joey Bart C- 2 for 2, 2B, HR. BA= .750. Wow! Gabe Kapler threw down a challenge to Joey Bart at the start of spring training and Joey Bart is meeting it head on. 3 for 4 on the spring with all 3 XBH's. Oh! And he also picked a runner off 2B with a throw Kap called a "rocket ship." Go Joey Bart!
Brett Wisely SS- 1 for 3, HR. BA= .400. Don't sleep on Brett Wisely! The Giants really, really need a lefty-hitting MI to be a utility guy even if they have to trade, say J. D. Davis, to make room on the roster. The Giants must have traded for him for a reason and he's making his case so far.
Will Wilson SS- 1 for 3. Speaking of not sleeping, barring in injury, Wilson probably won't make the Opening Day roster, but a strong spring and a strong start in AAA could put him at the head of the line for midseason call up.
Alex Cobb RHP- 2 IP, 2 H, 4 R, 2 BB, 2 K's. Remember the talk about Alex Cobb using the two way pager to call his own pitches? Turns out there are a lot of moving parts to that and he had trouble keeping up with the pitch clock and spoke out about it after. Probably best to let your catcher call the pitches and just go with it.
Ross Stripling RHP- 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K's. I am surprised at how little we've heard about Ross Stripling since the Giants signed him. Sean Manaea and his newfound velocity notwithstanding, I feel like Stripling could low-key be the Giants best signing of the offseason.
Taylor Rogers LHP- 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's. Apparently Tyler is dealing with a sore finger or cut or something so we only saw the lefty version of The Twins today. So far, so good!
The Giants stay home in Scottsdale tomorrow afternoon for a game against the D'Backs with Jake Junis RHP drawing the start against Drey Jameson RHP.
As you surely know, MLB has ranked Hayden Birdsong in their Giants Top 30. We fans of yours don't think you miss a thing!
ReplyDeleteLast year, you did comment on his striking out the side in consecutive innings as well as other outings when he recorded multiple K's, as well as other comments about him.
Interesting guy - I suspect he may show up on future top prospect lists.
I am sure at least one or two lower-round pitchers from the 2022 draft will emerge as serious prospects this year. Birdsong's college track record is honestly not that impressive and his pro sample size is tiny. Perhaps I could have put him in my HM list but there were already lots of names there. We'll root for him to justify MLB's ranking with a strong 2023 season.
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