The pitchers still seem to be ahead of the hitters as the Giants and Padres battled to a tie in Peoria, AZ. Key Lines:
Luis Matos RF- 1 for 3, 2B. BA= .292. The Giants managed just 4 hits with Matos driving in their only run with the only XBH in the 7'th inning. Matos is so far having the best spring of the potential candidates for 4'th OF(not counting Jerar Encarnacion who is more of a DH/bat off the bench candidate).
Heliot Ramos LF- 0 for 2, BB, SB(1). BA= .000. Ramos makes his first spring appearance after nursing a sore oblique. He seemed fully healthy as he stole the base and made a diving catch in LF with no apparent ill effects.
Landen Roupp RHP- 3.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K. ERA= 0.00. Roupp again looked terrific. All the more impressive that he faced mostly the Padres projected starting lineup. He is now unscored upon after 3 appearances and 8.1 IP. He has 11 K's in those 8.1 IP and just one BB.
Spencer Bivens RHP- 2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's, 3/1 GO/AO. ERA= 1.80. I saw one AB on Gameday where he threw like 6 straight 95 MPH sinkers then got the K on a changeup. Nasty!
Cole Waites RHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K. ERA= 6.75. Quite a few fans rooting for Waites who missed all of last season. He'll probably start the season in AAA Sacramento and wait for an opening in the bullpen.
Jordan Hicks RHP threw 40 pitches in minor league camp allowing 1 hit with 5 K's.
Kyle Harrison LHP gets the start tomorrow in a road game against the D'Backs.
Gotta say I am so excited by the Giants right now. Win or lose I like the direction the team is headed and can't wait for the next game and Game Wrap.
Will competition for the #5 starter actually put someone besides Kyle Harrison in that role? Hayden Birdsong and Landon Roupp appear to have a shot based on statistics, development and numbers this spring. Having said that, I believe the job is Harrison's to lose. Last year:
ReplyDeleteKyle Harrison 4.56
Hayden Birdsong 4.75
Landon Roupp 3.58 (with a smaller sample size 50 IP)
BTW-This discussion is also on McCovey Chronicles, but there is a more focused discussion here.
Seems that when any two out of the three don't make the rotation, they should go to Sacramento to waork as starting pitchers.
agree that "losers" of that competition should go to minors and continue development, rather than get stuck in ML bullpen. Starters are too valuable to stunt their development. If the Gs surprise and get competitive in the division, they can come up later. And there's always the chance someone gets hurt or underperforms. In such case we;d have guys stretched out and ready to step in.
DeleteOf the three, if he loses out for the #5 slot, I could also see ROUPP being a swing man and/or long man at his age...Not the other two, who should be Starting rotation or SAC. I say "starting rotation" not #5 because we know there will be plenty of injuries.
DeleteSpeaking of swing man/long reliever, how has Tristen Beck been this spring?
SteveVA
Dear Dr. B, For the first time in a few seasons, I'm excited too. I look forward to every game and every report. No more "opt-out" clauses! We want players who are committed to be Giants!
ReplyDeleteGotta love ROUP..The big thing is the no BB's..ALways had the stuff, does he now have the control?? Love what Matos is doing, hopefully on his way to make the team...but..would still like another OF and/or 1B!
ReplyDeleteSteveVA
As for who stays with the big club and who does down to continue their development arc, if the three, or more, candidates are closely grouped come decision time, it will probably become a personnel management issue around who has the most options to burn on the I-80 commute. Being able to keep control of a couple to use later in the season seems almost like a luxury. In the mean time, let all the youngsters soak in as much Vrelander as they can.
ReplyDeleteWith the exception of the left side of the infield, and that's a big exception, yesterday's starting lineup with Matos in RF was what will be the probable 2025 l/u, although not in that order.
ReplyDeleteWade and Ramos got walks, Lee, Bailey, and Matos got hits before getting sub'ed out.
Welp! Kyle Harrison's start got ugly fast. Check back for the gory details late afternoon or evening.
ReplyDelete