Sorry for the late post. I and my family are all down with the COVID. So far it looks like we'll all survive but I have to post between naps when the Advil peaks. Meanwhile, the Giants prepare to wrap up their Cactus League Schedule and break camp ahead of the Bay Bridge series this weekend.
The Giants split a split-split squad doubleheader topping the White Sox in Glendale in the afternoon and then getting blown out by the Guardians in the nightcap in Scottsdale. Key Lines:
Bryce Johnson CF- 1 for 2, 2 BB. BA= .361. Johnson may bave won himself a berth on the Opening Day roster, at least until Mitch Haniger OF and/or Austin Slater OF return from the IL. What a terrific spring he's had!
Blake Sabol C- 1 for 3, 2B, SF. BA= .359. Another eye-opener spring. It's also looking like Sabol will be rewarded for his tremendous spring performance with a trip to New York for Opening Day.
Brett Wisely 2B- 2 for 4, HR(3), BB. BA= .194. Wisely will probably start the season in AAA but may be needed as a MI later in the season. I am pretty sure Brandon Crawford SS and Thairo Estrada 2B are not not going to play 162 games each.
Will Wilson SS- 2 for 3, HR(2). BA= .320. Wilson has also had a fine spring. As we have noted before, he seemed to be gaining traction last season before going down with a hamate fracture. he seems fully healthy now and a strong start in Sacramento should give him a leg up on a future call up. Hey! Maybe the Giants will get something for the $12 M they paid Zack Cozart to go away after all!
Sean Manaea LHP- 6 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 3 K's, GO/AO= 8/4. ERA= 4.08. This is about what we should expect from Manaea this season. The BABIP gods will giveth and taketh. The key for him is to limit the walks and keep the ball on the ground.
John Brebbia RHP- 1 IP, 0 H 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's. ERA= 5.06. Hopefully Brebbia will have a bit lighter workload this season than last.
The Giants mustered just 2 hits against the Guardians and nobody pitched well except Cole Waites RHP who K'd 2 in a scoreless inning of work and Camilo Doval RHP who pitched a scoreless ninth.
As mentioned above, FZ stopped by the TV broadcast booth for the Guardians game and strongly implied that Bryce Johnson OF, Blake Sabol C/OF and Sean Hjelle RHP will be on the Opening Day roster and that is how it should be, 3 young players who went out and earned their spot. He also said he is confident Casey Schmitt 3B can handle SS defensively and said he is almost ready. Needs to work on hitting quality breaking balls from RHP's. I did not see or hear any comments about the catching situation.
Alex Cobb RHP has a knee bruise (uh-oh, isn't that what LMWJ had most of last season?) and his expected start against the Yankees on April 1 may be pushed back.
The Giants finish the Cactus League with a bus trip to Surprise, AZ with a lineup that will be light on expected active roster guys and Tristan Beck RHP getting the start. David Villar 1B, Blake Sabol DH and Joey Bart C are the only likely active roster guys making the trip.
I thinking there is enough to keep Sabol occupied (as in, mastering his defense at the D positions he is asked play) in DHing and playing outfielder D, which has been his position all along (or so I read), and it seems he still could improve to be adequate or average.
ReplyDeleteAn extra time could be used to learn 1B, I suppose, which is less difficult than learning catching. I believe another poster suggested it a few days ago.
DH, outfielder and 1B - he should be busy enough, and still have some time to devote to work the D in those positions (outfield & 1B).
Sorry, looks like the Giants have one more Cactus League Game tomorrow in Scottsdale against the Mariners. The Bay Bridge Series is Sunday and Monday. Could be storming again up there by Monday.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear you caught COVID, take care of you and your family. This season feels like we may see several kids make an impact on the MLB roster. FZ said we could see Schmitt early in the season, maybe they want him getting everyday reps at 3rd and SS before calling him up which is good. Does Villar have to look over his shoulder? Kuiper predicted Hjellie could win 7-10 games. Maybe you're right about him Doc! Hope Bryce Johnson can get on base enough to take advantage of his speed. Kyle Harrison may not be far away from a call up once he gains some reps in AAA. He's only 21 years old.
ReplyDeleteAlmost forgot Pav's made an interesting prediction. We'll see Marco Luciano and Patrick Bailey called up later in the season. He cites Luciano's tremendous talent and the clubs need for SS depth. Didn't Kap say that about Luciano also? Pav's mentioned something to the effect that despite having 4 catchers competing to make the team, the catching won't be up to standard. Bailey is highly thought of by the team and others like him enough so don't sleep on him as a prospect.
ReplyDeleteDoc, wishing a speedy recovery for you and your family.
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