The Giants played this one like their only goal was to get out of Dodge as fast as possible, and the hints that Barry Zito's days as a San Francisco Giants may be numbered grew to almost a crescendo. Key Lines:
Barry Zito- 5 IP, 8 H, 5 R, 2 BB, 4 K'. ERA= 5.62. The only mystery to Zito's stuff was how he managed to keep the score as close as he did. Kruk put on a game face before the first pitch saying if Zito could keep the ball down he might pitch a pretty good game. Well, he didn't keep the ball down. He basically threw batting practice to the Reds in the first inning. Look, Zito may have an occasional game where he has unusually good command of the curveball and a friendly umpire, and manage to hold the other team to a 3 runs or less, but without perfect command, his stuff is not going to get anybody out. FB topped out at 85 MPH, everything up in the zone. Zito pitches high in the strike zone and always has. That ain't gonna get it done with the stuff he's throwing up there. Even Kruk and Kuip acknowledged after the game that this one was probably a lost cause from the moment Zito and Cueto were penciled in as starters. The signals from Bochy and the Giants are clear that Sanchez is going to take Zito's next start. Even Zito acknowledged as much in his comments. The only question left is whether to DFA Mota or Zito. If the Giants are going for it this year, and they obviously are, the answer to that question has to be Zito. Right now, he is useless even in a mop up role.
Orlando Cabrera- 0 for 3. I thought OCab looked surprisingly spry out there today. Maybe it was the rush of trying to impress new teammates but he definitely showed more range than either Tejada or Fontenot. I was half expecting a statue after all the ranting and raging over on mccoveychronicles.com. I don't expect much from his bat but almost anything would be an upgrade at this point.
Johnny Cueto(Reds)- 9 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 6 K's. ERA= 1.72. Cueto would have been tough against a good hitting team that was trying today. Against a Giants team beating a retreat out of town, he didn't break a sweat on a hot day. Good pitcher!
The D'Backs are leading the Dodgers 4-1 in the 5'th inning as I write this so it's likely the Giants will head into their showdown starting tomorrow night in AT&T Park leading the NL West by 2 games. Hopefully sleeping in their own beds and the cool breezes by the Bay will be just what the doctor ordered for this weary team. Matt Cain takes on Ian Kennedy in game 1.
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Bloggers Note: SJ Giants Game Tonight
It's been a rare rainy summer day here in the Inland Empire. Looks like it's starting to clear out this afternoon. I'm still planning to attend the SJ Giants vs IE 66'ers this evening if it doesn't start raining again. I'll be wearing my usual Matt Cain #43 shirt if anyone else is there and wants to stop by and say hi. I usually sit behind home plate or over by the visitors dugout. I'll post a scouting report later tonight or tomorrow.
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Down on the Farm: 7/30/2011
AAA Fresno Grizzlies beat the Reno Aces 7-4:
Justin Christian(RF)- 2 for 3, 3B, BB, Assist(3B). BA= .321.
Tyler Graham(CF)- 1 for 3, HBP, SB(51). BA= .269.
Hector Sanchez(C)- 2 for 4, 2B. BA= .280.
Matt Yourkin(LHP)- 6.1 IP, 10 H, 4 R, 1 BB, 8 K's. ERA= 4.86.
Dan Otero(RHP)- 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, Save(6). ERA= 3.05.
AA Trenton Thunder rolled over the Richmond Flying Squirrels 17-5:
Roger Kieschnick(RF)- 1 for 4, HR(13). BA= .264.
Needless to say, the pitching lines are horrific.
High A San Jose Giants edged the Lancaster Jethawks 4-3:
Gary Brown(CF)- 2 for 4, 3B, OF Assist(2B). BA= .321.
Chris Heston(RHP)- 8 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 8 K's, GO/AO= 8/2. ERA= 3.75.
Low A Augusta Greenjackets topped the Hickory Crawdads 6-5:
Carlos Willoughby(2B)- 1 for 3, 3B, HBP. BA= .266.
Chris Lofton(CF)- 3 for 4, 2 2B. BA= .267.
Jeff Arnold(C)- 2 for 4, 2B. BA= .224.
Brett Bochy(RHP)- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's, Save(2). ERA= 1.69.
Lofton is hitting .342 over his last 10 games and .288 since April. His overall OBP is .357.
Short Season Yakima Bears mauled the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes 9-2:
Joe Panik(SS)- 2 for 4, 3B. BA= .340.
Brandon Allen(RHP)- 3 IP, 11 H, 7 R, 6 ER, 0 BB, 3 K's. ERA= 6.58.
Matt Graham(RHP)- 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K. ERA= 8.72.
A step back for Allen, another baby step for Graham.
Rookie AZL Giants downed the D'Backs 5-3:
Jose Cuevas(3B)- 1 for 3, HR(7), BB. BA= .310.
Major Blair(RF)- 3 for 4. BA= .333.
Joan Gregorio(RHP)- 5 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 5 K's. ERA= 1.77.
Kyle Crick(RHP)- 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K's. ERA= 0.00.
DSL Mets1 topped the Giants 2-1 in a game completed early after 6 1/2 innings:
Got nothin' here.
Justin Christian(RF)- 2 for 3, 3B, BB, Assist(3B). BA= .321.
Tyler Graham(CF)- 1 for 3, HBP, SB(51). BA= .269.
Hector Sanchez(C)- 2 for 4, 2B. BA= .280.
Matt Yourkin(LHP)- 6.1 IP, 10 H, 4 R, 1 BB, 8 K's. ERA= 4.86.
Dan Otero(RHP)- 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, Save(6). ERA= 3.05.
AA Trenton Thunder rolled over the Richmond Flying Squirrels 17-5:
Roger Kieschnick(RF)- 1 for 4, HR(13). BA= .264.
Needless to say, the pitching lines are horrific.
High A San Jose Giants edged the Lancaster Jethawks 4-3:
Gary Brown(CF)- 2 for 4, 3B, OF Assist(2B). BA= .321.
Chris Heston(RHP)- 8 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 8 K's, GO/AO= 8/2. ERA= 3.75.
Low A Augusta Greenjackets topped the Hickory Crawdads 6-5:
Carlos Willoughby(2B)- 1 for 3, 3B, HBP. BA= .266.
Chris Lofton(CF)- 3 for 4, 2 2B. BA= .267.
Jeff Arnold(C)- 2 for 4, 2B. BA= .224.
Brett Bochy(RHP)- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's, Save(2). ERA= 1.69.
Lofton is hitting .342 over his last 10 games and .288 since April. His overall OBP is .357.
Short Season Yakima Bears mauled the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes 9-2:
Joe Panik(SS)- 2 for 4, 3B. BA= .340.
Brandon Allen(RHP)- 3 IP, 11 H, 7 R, 6 ER, 0 BB, 3 K's. ERA= 6.58.
Matt Graham(RHP)- 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K. ERA= 8.72.
A step back for Allen, another baby step for Graham.
Rookie AZL Giants downed the D'Backs 5-3:
Jose Cuevas(3B)- 1 for 3, HR(7), BB. BA= .310.
Major Blair(RF)- 3 for 4. BA= .333.
Joan Gregorio(RHP)- 5 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 5 K's. ERA= 1.77.
Kyle Crick(RHP)- 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K's. ERA= 0.00.
DSL Mets1 topped the Giants 2-1 in a game completed early after 6 1/2 innings:
Got nothin' here.
Game Wrap 7/30/2011: Reds 7 Giants 2
Madison Bumgarner seems to be developing a hot and cold reputation. He's either great or terrible depending on what game or what inning you are talking about. Tonight, the terrible version took the mound against a good hitting team and the results were not at all fun to watch as the Giants were knocked out of this one early and never recovered. Key Lines:
Carlos Beltran- 0 for 5. BA= .281. Still think it was a good trade but oh my, he sure has looked like a pumpkin so far.
Pablo Sandoval- 3 for 5, HR(11). BA= .308. Pablo is about the only person hitting on the team except maybe Keppinger.
Brandon Belt- 1 for 4, 2B. BA= .230. I may have just missed this in the past, but Belt was choking up about 3/4" on the bat. If this is new, or even if it isn't, I really like it a lot. Remember Barry Bonds choked up just a bit and he certainly knew a thing or two about hitting! Belt is a tall rangy guy. He can extend those arms and still cover the outside corner but this helps keep him from getting jammed inside too. We'll see how it works out. Crawford was choking up by about 1/2" which I hadn't noticed before either.
Madison Bumgarner- 4 IP, 7 H, 7 R, 5 ER, 3 BB, 4 K's. ERA= 3.80. Like I said, an ugly line from Bumgarner who gave up a 5 spot in the first innning barely getting out of it without a whole lot more. He did kind of settle down after that and his D betrayed him in the 4'th. By then, the game was long over.
After the game, word leaked out that the Giants traded Thomas Neal to Cleveland for Orlando Cabrera(MLBTR). As Kruk and Kuip mentioned on the broadcast, the Giants are desperate for a RH hitting SS, but I hate losing Neal and OCab is not what I think of as a difference maker. I have to admit that much as I like Neal as a player, it seemed like the injury bug came back to haunt him this year and Sabean has a long history of trading prospects who he thinks are injury prone, so I guess it shouldn't come as big surprise. The Giants are loaded with OF prospects and they seem to want to hang onto guys who are speedier than Neal anyway. I'm guessing Crawford gets sent down to make room for OCab. Burrell is probably now gone from the 40 man.
The D'Backs are trailing the Dodgers 4-2 in their game, so the Giants may once again not lose anything off their 4 game lead in the NL West. The Rockies threw in the towel by trading Ubaldo Jimenez to Cleveland for several pitching prospects. Now THAT is a surprise!
The Giants now have to hope that Barry Zito somehow finds the magic that won him 3 games after coming off the DL, but it would seem a sweep, as well as more work for an overworked bullpen may be staring them in the face. Johnny Cueto goes for the Reds and he can be a very tough customer even for good hitting teams.
Carlos Beltran- 0 for 5. BA= .281. Still think it was a good trade but oh my, he sure has looked like a pumpkin so far.
Pablo Sandoval- 3 for 5, HR(11). BA= .308. Pablo is about the only person hitting on the team except maybe Keppinger.
Brandon Belt- 1 for 4, 2B. BA= .230. I may have just missed this in the past, but Belt was choking up about 3/4" on the bat. If this is new, or even if it isn't, I really like it a lot. Remember Barry Bonds choked up just a bit and he certainly knew a thing or two about hitting! Belt is a tall rangy guy. He can extend those arms and still cover the outside corner but this helps keep him from getting jammed inside too. We'll see how it works out. Crawford was choking up by about 1/2" which I hadn't noticed before either.
Madison Bumgarner- 4 IP, 7 H, 7 R, 5 ER, 3 BB, 4 K's. ERA= 3.80. Like I said, an ugly line from Bumgarner who gave up a 5 spot in the first innning barely getting out of it without a whole lot more. He did kind of settle down after that and his D betrayed him in the 4'th. By then, the game was long over.
After the game, word leaked out that the Giants traded Thomas Neal to Cleveland for Orlando Cabrera(MLBTR). As Kruk and Kuip mentioned on the broadcast, the Giants are desperate for a RH hitting SS, but I hate losing Neal and OCab is not what I think of as a difference maker. I have to admit that much as I like Neal as a player, it seemed like the injury bug came back to haunt him this year and Sabean has a long history of trading prospects who he thinks are injury prone, so I guess it shouldn't come as big surprise. The Giants are loaded with OF prospects and they seem to want to hang onto guys who are speedier than Neal anyway. I'm guessing Crawford gets sent down to make room for OCab. Burrell is probably now gone from the 40 man.
The D'Backs are trailing the Dodgers 4-2 in their game, so the Giants may once again not lose anything off their 4 game lead in the NL West. The Rockies threw in the towel by trading Ubaldo Jimenez to Cleveland for several pitching prospects. Now THAT is a surprise!
The Giants now have to hope that Barry Zito somehow finds the magic that won him 3 games after coming off the DL, but it would seem a sweep, as well as more work for an overworked bullpen may be staring them in the face. Johnny Cueto goes for the Reds and he can be a very tough customer even for good hitting teams.
Down on the Farm: 7/29/2011
Fresno Grizzlies edged the Salt Lake City Bees 3-2:
Conor Gillaspie(1B)- 1 for 4, HR(8). BA= .278.
Mark DeRosa(3B)- 2 for 4. BA= .316.
Nick Noonan(SS)- 1 for 3, HR(1). BA= .323.
Shane Loux(RHP)- 7 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 3 K's. ERA= 4.64.
Marc Kroon(RHP)- 1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 2 K's, Save(17). ERA= 4.64.
AA Richmond Flying Squirrels downed the Trenton Thunder 3-2:
Francisco Peguero(RF)- 2 for 5. BA= .277.
Chris Dominguez(3B)- 1 for 4, HR(5). BA= .255.
Wendell Fairley(DH)- 2 for 4. BA= .310.
Eric Surkamp(LHP)- 6 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 12 K's. ERA= 2.05.
Heath Hembree(RHP)- 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's, Save(11). ERA= 4.40.
No hurry with Surkamp, but can't wait to see what he does for Fresno, or even SF!
High A Lancaster Jethawks shot down the San Jose Giants 8-5:
Gary Brown(CF)- 2 for 5. BA= .320.
Jarrett Parker(RF)- 1 for 3, 2B, BB, SF, SB(17). BA= .266.
Michael Main(RHP)- 0.1 IP, 4 H, 7 R, 6 ER, 1 BB, 1 HBP, 1 K. ERA= 5.82.
Jose Valdez(RHP)- 2.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K's. ERA= 7.50.
Jacob Dunnington(RHP)- 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K. ERA= 0.00.
Ugly start for Main. Dunnington's scoreless streak is now up to 16 innings. He has 19 K's against just 3 BB's in that span. Valdez now has 5 scoreless IP since coming off the DL. Most likely the rough patch was due either to injury or a mechanical flaw that they worked out.
Low A Augusta Greenjackets blanked the Hickory Crawdads 5-0:
Rafael Rodriguez(LF)- 1 for 3, BB, OF Assist(3B). BA= .240.
Jeff Arnold(C)- 2 for 4, HR(4). BA= .218.
Devin Harris(RF)- 2 for 3, BB. BA= .210.
Shawn Sanford(RHP)- 8 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's. ERA= 2.36.
RafRod has a 5 game hit streak in which he is hitting .300. Baby steps.
Short Season Salem-Keizer Volcanoes out hit the Yakima Bears 10-7:
Jesus Galindo(CF)- 2 for 4, HBP, SB(20). BA= .278.
Joe Panik(SS)- 2 for 3, BB, HBP, SB(6). BA= .336.
Leonardo Ochoa(LF)- 2 for 4, HR(3). BA= .273.
Cameron Lamb(RHP)- 3 IP, 10 H, 6 R, 0 BB, 3 K's. ERA= 5.53.
Galindo is looking like a dynamic player. Steady as she goes for Panik.
Rookie AZL Giants were idle.
DSL Giants defeated the Yankees1 9-7:
Alexis Almeida(1B, 18 yo)- 3 for 5. BA= .233.
Alberto Robles(2B-3B, 20 yo)- 2 for 3, 2 BB, 3 SB(12). BA= .355.
Royel Astacio(3B, 18 yo)- 1 for 2, 3 BB. BA= .205.
Renzo Freite(RHP, 18 yo)- 4.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K's. ERA= 2.10.
Almeida is hitting .324 over his last 10 games.
Conor Gillaspie(1B)- 1 for 4, HR(8). BA= .278.
Mark DeRosa(3B)- 2 for 4. BA= .316.
Nick Noonan(SS)- 1 for 3, HR(1). BA= .323.
Shane Loux(RHP)- 7 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 3 K's. ERA= 4.64.
Marc Kroon(RHP)- 1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 2 K's, Save(17). ERA= 4.64.
AA Richmond Flying Squirrels downed the Trenton Thunder 3-2:
Francisco Peguero(RF)- 2 for 5. BA= .277.
Chris Dominguez(3B)- 1 for 4, HR(5). BA= .255.
Wendell Fairley(DH)- 2 for 4. BA= .310.
Eric Surkamp(LHP)- 6 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 12 K's. ERA= 2.05.
Heath Hembree(RHP)- 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's, Save(11). ERA= 4.40.
No hurry with Surkamp, but can't wait to see what he does for Fresno, or even SF!
High A Lancaster Jethawks shot down the San Jose Giants 8-5:
Gary Brown(CF)- 2 for 5. BA= .320.
Jarrett Parker(RF)- 1 for 3, 2B, BB, SF, SB(17). BA= .266.
Michael Main(RHP)- 0.1 IP, 4 H, 7 R, 6 ER, 1 BB, 1 HBP, 1 K. ERA= 5.82.
Jose Valdez(RHP)- 2.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K's. ERA= 7.50.
Jacob Dunnington(RHP)- 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K. ERA= 0.00.
Ugly start for Main. Dunnington's scoreless streak is now up to 16 innings. He has 19 K's against just 3 BB's in that span. Valdez now has 5 scoreless IP since coming off the DL. Most likely the rough patch was due either to injury or a mechanical flaw that they worked out.
Low A Augusta Greenjackets blanked the Hickory Crawdads 5-0:
Rafael Rodriguez(LF)- 1 for 3, BB, OF Assist(3B). BA= .240.
Jeff Arnold(C)- 2 for 4, HR(4). BA= .218.
Devin Harris(RF)- 2 for 3, BB. BA= .210.
Shawn Sanford(RHP)- 8 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's. ERA= 2.36.
RafRod has a 5 game hit streak in which he is hitting .300. Baby steps.
Short Season Salem-Keizer Volcanoes out hit the Yakima Bears 10-7:
Jesus Galindo(CF)- 2 for 4, HBP, SB(20). BA= .278.
Joe Panik(SS)- 2 for 3, BB, HBP, SB(6). BA= .336.
Leonardo Ochoa(LF)- 2 for 4, HR(3). BA= .273.
Cameron Lamb(RHP)- 3 IP, 10 H, 6 R, 0 BB, 3 K's. ERA= 5.53.
Galindo is looking like a dynamic player. Steady as she goes for Panik.
Rookie AZL Giants were idle.
DSL Giants defeated the Yankees1 9-7:
Alexis Almeida(1B, 18 yo)- 3 for 5. BA= .233.
Alberto Robles(2B-3B, 20 yo)- 2 for 3, 2 BB, 3 SB(12). BA= .355.
Royel Astacio(3B, 18 yo)- 1 for 2, 3 BB. BA= .205.
Renzo Freite(RHP, 18 yo)- 4.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K's. ERA= 2.10.
Almeida is hitting .324 over his last 10 games.
Friday, July 29, 2011
Game Wrap 7/29/2011: Reds 4 Giants 3 in 13 Innings
The Giants ended up losing a hard-fought extra-innings game that had multiple great story lines. Rent getting the game winning hit is a great story, but not the ending Giants fans were hoping for. Oh, and do you think the Giants could use a little Rent right about now? That extra $1 M that it might have taken to re-up him looks pretty paltry right now, huh?
Jeff Keppinger- 2 for 5, 2 2B. BA= .297. Kepp didn't figure in the scoring but may have had the most important AB of the Giants night. Vogelsong was coming off a brutal first 2 innings and was already exhausted. Vogey led off the top of the 3'rd inning with a ground out to the pitcher, Dontrelle Willis. Back in the dugout, Vogey was sucking wind. Face flushed on a hot night and breathing with is mouth open. I really thought he was done. Rowand promptly flied out to LF and it looked like Vogelsong was going to have to go back out and pitch after yet another short Giants inning. The Kepp came up and doubled down the LF line. That extra AB in the inning gave Vogey enough time to put on a new shirt, down some H2O and probably some Gatorade too. After Beltran struck out, Vogelsong took the mound looking like he was starting a brand new game. He ended up going 6 full innings and did not give up another run to get credit for another QS.
Carlos Beltran- 1 for 5, BB. BA= .285. Beltran drove in the first run of the game and scored the second for the Giants, but also struck out 3 times. Still hasn't really made an impact.
Pablo Sandoval- 3 for 6. BA= .302. Sandoval looked comfortable out there.
Aubrey Huff- 2 for 5, SF, SB(4). BA= .241. Huff seems to be gradually heating up. Maybe he can relax hitting down further in the order?
Nate Schierholtz- 0 for 3, OF Assist(Home). BA= .280. Nate subbed into the game after pinch-hitting and kept the Giants alive by unleashing one of his patented laser beam throws that cut down Joey Votto trying to score on a fairly shallow flyball in left-center. Even though it wasn't that long of a throw, Nate had to turn his body at a awkward angle to get the throw off. Most OF's don't make that throw successfully.
Ryan Vogelsong- 6 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 2 BB, 1 K. ERA= 2.23. Well, I already told most of Vogey's story from tonight but he showed a lot of heart on a brutally hot night in a bandbox ballpark against a good lineup. After getting put on the ropes after 2 innings, he hung on to give his team a chance to win.
Guillermo Mota- 2.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K's. ERA= 3.88. Mota may be on the bubble in the bullpen, but it's games like this that show why bumping him to put Zito in as the long man would not be putting out the roster that gives them the best chance to win.
Aroldis Chapman- 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K's. ERA= 3.86. OK, THAT is unfair! That bad boy was going 98-101 on the TV gun, and he was hitting the corners to boot! It wasn't just one pitch that hit triple digits either. I'm pretty sure he hit 100 at least 6 or 7 times and 101 at least once. I knew the Giants weren't going to win this as long as he was still in the game. Gotta admit, he is fun to watch, though.
The Dodgers are leading the D'Backs 7-5 in the 7'th inning as I write this. The Giants will remain 4 games ahead of the D'Backs or slip to 3 games ahead depending on the outcome of that game.
Madison Bumgarner takes the mound tomorrow night facing Mike Leake. For awhile there I was thinking Bum might have to lace up his shoes and finish out the game tonight!
The Phillies acquired Hunter Pence from the Astros for 4 prospects, 2 of whom will be named later. Pence is a solid player who should hit well in that ballpark and will give them a threat from the right side of the plate. It would appear that the Phillies and Giants are headed for another showdown at the OK Corral come playoff time.
Jeff Keppinger- 2 for 5, 2 2B. BA= .297. Kepp didn't figure in the scoring but may have had the most important AB of the Giants night. Vogelsong was coming off a brutal first 2 innings and was already exhausted. Vogey led off the top of the 3'rd inning with a ground out to the pitcher, Dontrelle Willis. Back in the dugout, Vogey was sucking wind. Face flushed on a hot night and breathing with is mouth open. I really thought he was done. Rowand promptly flied out to LF and it looked like Vogelsong was going to have to go back out and pitch after yet another short Giants inning. The Kepp came up and doubled down the LF line. That extra AB in the inning gave Vogey enough time to put on a new shirt, down some H2O and probably some Gatorade too. After Beltran struck out, Vogelsong took the mound looking like he was starting a brand new game. He ended up going 6 full innings and did not give up another run to get credit for another QS.
Carlos Beltran- 1 for 5, BB. BA= .285. Beltran drove in the first run of the game and scored the second for the Giants, but also struck out 3 times. Still hasn't really made an impact.
Pablo Sandoval- 3 for 6. BA= .302. Sandoval looked comfortable out there.
Aubrey Huff- 2 for 5, SF, SB(4). BA= .241. Huff seems to be gradually heating up. Maybe he can relax hitting down further in the order?
Nate Schierholtz- 0 for 3, OF Assist(Home). BA= .280. Nate subbed into the game after pinch-hitting and kept the Giants alive by unleashing one of his patented laser beam throws that cut down Joey Votto trying to score on a fairly shallow flyball in left-center. Even though it wasn't that long of a throw, Nate had to turn his body at a awkward angle to get the throw off. Most OF's don't make that throw successfully.
Ryan Vogelsong- 6 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 2 BB, 1 K. ERA= 2.23. Well, I already told most of Vogey's story from tonight but he showed a lot of heart on a brutally hot night in a bandbox ballpark against a good lineup. After getting put on the ropes after 2 innings, he hung on to give his team a chance to win.
Guillermo Mota- 2.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K's. ERA= 3.88. Mota may be on the bubble in the bullpen, but it's games like this that show why bumping him to put Zito in as the long man would not be putting out the roster that gives them the best chance to win.
Aroldis Chapman- 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K's. ERA= 3.86. OK, THAT is unfair! That bad boy was going 98-101 on the TV gun, and he was hitting the corners to boot! It wasn't just one pitch that hit triple digits either. I'm pretty sure he hit 100 at least 6 or 7 times and 101 at least once. I knew the Giants weren't going to win this as long as he was still in the game. Gotta admit, he is fun to watch, though.
The Dodgers are leading the D'Backs 7-5 in the 7'th inning as I write this. The Giants will remain 4 games ahead of the D'Backs or slip to 3 games ahead depending on the outcome of that game.
Madison Bumgarner takes the mound tomorrow night facing Mike Leake. For awhile there I was thinking Bum might have to lace up his shoes and finish out the game tonight!
The Phillies acquired Hunter Pence from the Astros for 4 prospects, 2 of whom will be named later. Pence is a solid player who should hit well in that ballpark and will give them a threat from the right side of the plate. It would appear that the Phillies and Giants are headed for another showdown at the OK Corral come playoff time.
Down on the Farm: 7/28/2011
AAA Salt Lake City Bees got a HR from McAnulty in the top of the 9'th and hung on to edge the Fresno Grizzlies 1-0:
Conor Gillaspie(3B)- 2 for 4, 2B. BA= .278.
Dan Runzler(LHP)- 5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 9 K's. ERA= 4.41.
Ooh, Runzler! Dominant start, albeit for just 5 innings. More of these, please!
AA Richmond Flying Squirrels defeated the Trenton Thunder 8-3:
Francisco Peguero(RF)- 2 for 5. BA= .273.
Roger Kieschnick(LF)- 2 for 5, 2B. BA= .266.
Sharlon Schoop(SS)- 3 for 4, HR(3). BA= .222.
Chuck Lofgren(LHP)- 6.2 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 7 K's. ERA= 0.73.
Dellin Betances(RHP, Thunder)- 5 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 3 K's. ERA= 3.43.
The Giants have a reputation for fixing pitchers and Lofgren seems to be coming along nicely. Formerly a highly regarded prospect. Betances is what passes for an elite prospect in Yankeeland.
High A San Jose Giants beat the Lancaster Jethawks 10-3:
Gary Brown(CF)- 2 for 4, BB. BA= .319.
Ehire Adrianza(SS)- 2 for 3, BB. BA= .284.
Tommy Joseph(DH)- 1 for 4, HR(12), BB. BA= .253.
Cavan, Burg and Anders also had 2 hits, Nick Liles(2) and Anders(9) hit HR's.
Low A Hickory Crawdads downed the Augusta Greenjackets 5-3:
Nothing to see here.
Short Season Salem-Keizer Volcanoes edged the Yakima Bears 4-3:
Panik(.329), Murray(.396), Downing(.333) and Burkhart(.272) had 2 hits each with Burkhart hitting a HR(4).
Rookie AZL Rangers clubbed the Giants 15-9:
Kelby Tomlinson(SS)- 3 for 5, 2B, 3B. BA= .312.
Jose Cuevas(3B)- 3 for 5, 2B, 3B. BA= .309.
Leonardo Fuentes(DH)- 3 for 4, 2B, BB. BA= .280.
Gus Benusa(2 for 4, 2B. BA= .304.
Miguel Ferrer(RHP)- 2.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K's. ERA= 2.35.
Love what Fuentes is doing this year. Ferrer is 20 yo. He has 20 K's against just 3 BB in 15.1 IP,
DSL Giants smacked the Marlins 8-1:
Randy Ortiz(CF)- 1 for 4, 2 HBP. BA= .311.
Jose Reyes(RHP, 20 yo)- 6 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 6 K's. ERA= 1.55.
Conor Gillaspie(3B)- 2 for 4, 2B. BA= .278.
Dan Runzler(LHP)- 5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 9 K's. ERA= 4.41.
Ooh, Runzler! Dominant start, albeit for just 5 innings. More of these, please!
AA Richmond Flying Squirrels defeated the Trenton Thunder 8-3:
Francisco Peguero(RF)- 2 for 5. BA= .273.
Roger Kieschnick(LF)- 2 for 5, 2B. BA= .266.
Sharlon Schoop(SS)- 3 for 4, HR(3). BA= .222.
Chuck Lofgren(LHP)- 6.2 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 7 K's. ERA= 0.73.
Dellin Betances(RHP, Thunder)- 5 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 3 K's. ERA= 3.43.
The Giants have a reputation for fixing pitchers and Lofgren seems to be coming along nicely. Formerly a highly regarded prospect. Betances is what passes for an elite prospect in Yankeeland.
High A San Jose Giants beat the Lancaster Jethawks 10-3:
Gary Brown(CF)- 2 for 4, BB. BA= .319.
Ehire Adrianza(SS)- 2 for 3, BB. BA= .284.
Tommy Joseph(DH)- 1 for 4, HR(12), BB. BA= .253.
Cavan, Burg and Anders also had 2 hits, Nick Liles(2) and Anders(9) hit HR's.
Low A Hickory Crawdads downed the Augusta Greenjackets 5-3:
Nothing to see here.
Short Season Salem-Keizer Volcanoes edged the Yakima Bears 4-3:
Panik(.329), Murray(.396), Downing(.333) and Burkhart(.272) had 2 hits each with Burkhart hitting a HR(4).
Rookie AZL Rangers clubbed the Giants 15-9:
Kelby Tomlinson(SS)- 3 for 5, 2B, 3B. BA= .312.
Jose Cuevas(3B)- 3 for 5, 2B, 3B. BA= .309.
Leonardo Fuentes(DH)- 3 for 4, 2B, BB. BA= .280.
Gus Benusa(2 for 4, 2B. BA= .304.
Miguel Ferrer(RHP)- 2.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K's. ERA= 2.35.
Love what Fuentes is doing this year. Ferrer is 20 yo. He has 20 K's against just 3 BB in 15.1 IP,
DSL Giants smacked the Marlins 8-1:
Randy Ortiz(CF)- 1 for 4, 2 HBP. BA= .311.
Jose Reyes(RHP, 20 yo)- 6 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 6 K's. ERA= 1.55.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Game Wrap 7/28/2011: Giants 4 Phillies 1
The Giants took the rubber game for the 9'th time in 10 series in this showdown between the leaders of the NL West and the NL East. It may have been fortunate the Giants did not face either Roy Halladay or Cliff Lee, or it may have been by Bruce Bochy's evil design or it may not have mattered at all.
As an aside, I am still laughing myself silly 3 days later at Bochy's response to the whole All-Star game flap over whether he purposely used Halladay and Lee 2 innings each while not using Giants starters at all just so the Phillies guys would miss this series. I can just hear Bochy in is Eeyore drawl, "What? Why no! That though never crossed my mind! Those guys are good pitchers and I thought they gave us the best chance to win the game. Besides, neither of them went over 20 pitches. They will be very happy when they have the home field advantage in the World Series if they get there." IF THEY GET THERE! ROFL!!!! I mean, I'm sure Bochy said it all with the straightest of faces and not a trace of inflection in his voice but he stuck so many barbs into the Phillies and their fans with that comment, it just boggles the mind! In the end, I don't think it mattered whether Bochy messed with their rotation so much as the Phillies THINK he did!
Back to tonight's game: The Giants got a great start from Timmy who was fully recovered from his stomach virus. They got 4 runs even with Beltran going 0 for 4(BTW, how great is it that the Giants took 2 of 3 in this series with essentially no help from Beltran?) The bullpen clamped down(the Phils got 1 unearned run) and the Giants rode out of Philly once again leaving them talking to themselves. Charlie Manuel was typically sour grapes as he disparaged Matt Cain's performance last night. Too bad, Philly. Maybe your team isn't as much better than the Giants as you think it is!
Key Lines:
Pablo Sandoval- 1 for 4, HR(10). BA= .297. Pablo hit a slicer down the LF line that curved around the foul pole for a dinger.
Aubrey Huff- 1 for 3, 2B, BB. BA= .239. Huff's double was hit with authority against the right-center field wall. He's been taking more walks lately, which is a good sign too.
Nate Schierholtz- 1 for 3, BB. BA= .283. I don't care what Keith Law says, Nate woulda had that blooper that Beltran caught.
Tim Lincecum- 6 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 4 BB, 6 K's. ERA= 2.78 Timmy had the Phillies flailing at the splitter. I think part of the 4 walks was because his stuff was so nasty it was difficult to control it.
Brian Wilson- 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's, Save(33). ERA= 2.72. Philly isn't a great matchup for Willie because they have so many LH bats, but his stuff was awesome tonight. LH, RH, didn't matter.
The Dangerous D'Backs lost to the Pesky Padres 4-3 to fall 4 games behind the Giants in the NL West. The Reeling Rockies and Desperate Dodgers were both idle to fall 12 and 13.5 games behind respectively while the Pesky ones stayed at 15.5 games off the pace.
The Giants now move on to Cincinnati where Ryan Vogelsong starts off a 3 game series facing non other than Dontrell Willis who has a 3.71 ERA in 3 starts for the Redlegs. He's walked 8 batters in 17 IP, so the Giants would be smart to be patient at the plate and make him throw strikes.
As an aside, I am still laughing myself silly 3 days later at Bochy's response to the whole All-Star game flap over whether he purposely used Halladay and Lee 2 innings each while not using Giants starters at all just so the Phillies guys would miss this series. I can just hear Bochy in is Eeyore drawl, "What? Why no! That though never crossed my mind! Those guys are good pitchers and I thought they gave us the best chance to win the game. Besides, neither of them went over 20 pitches. They will be very happy when they have the home field advantage in the World Series if they get there." IF THEY GET THERE! ROFL!!!! I mean, I'm sure Bochy said it all with the straightest of faces and not a trace of inflection in his voice but he stuck so many barbs into the Phillies and their fans with that comment, it just boggles the mind! In the end, I don't think it mattered whether Bochy messed with their rotation so much as the Phillies THINK he did!
Back to tonight's game: The Giants got a great start from Timmy who was fully recovered from his stomach virus. They got 4 runs even with Beltran going 0 for 4(BTW, how great is it that the Giants took 2 of 3 in this series with essentially no help from Beltran?) The bullpen clamped down(the Phils got 1 unearned run) and the Giants rode out of Philly once again leaving them talking to themselves. Charlie Manuel was typically sour grapes as he disparaged Matt Cain's performance last night. Too bad, Philly. Maybe your team isn't as much better than the Giants as you think it is!
Key Lines:
Pablo Sandoval- 1 for 4, HR(10). BA= .297. Pablo hit a slicer down the LF line that curved around the foul pole for a dinger.
Aubrey Huff- 1 for 3, 2B, BB. BA= .239. Huff's double was hit with authority against the right-center field wall. He's been taking more walks lately, which is a good sign too.
Nate Schierholtz- 1 for 3, BB. BA= .283. I don't care what Keith Law says, Nate woulda had that blooper that Beltran caught.
Tim Lincecum- 6 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 4 BB, 6 K's. ERA= 2.78 Timmy had the Phillies flailing at the splitter. I think part of the 4 walks was because his stuff was so nasty it was difficult to control it.
Brian Wilson- 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's, Save(33). ERA= 2.72. Philly isn't a great matchup for Willie because they have so many LH bats, but his stuff was awesome tonight. LH, RH, didn't matter.
The Dangerous D'Backs lost to the Pesky Padres 4-3 to fall 4 games behind the Giants in the NL West. The Reeling Rockies and Desperate Dodgers were both idle to fall 12 and 13.5 games behind respectively while the Pesky ones stayed at 15.5 games off the pace.
The Giants now move on to Cincinnati where Ryan Vogelsong starts off a 3 game series facing non other than Dontrell Willis who has a 3.71 ERA in 3 starts for the Redlegs. He's walked 8 batters in 17 IP, so the Giants would be smart to be patient at the plate and make him throw strikes.
Down on the Farm: 7/27/2011
AAA Fresno Giants pummeled the Salt Lake City Bees 12-3:
Justin Christian(RF)- 3 for 5, 2B, SB(15). BA= .320.
Bill Hall(SS)- 1 for 3, HR(1), 2 BB. BA= .385.
Brett Pill(1B)- 3 for 5, 2B, HR(20). BA= .319.
Conor Gillaspie(3B)- 1 for 4, HR(7), BB. BA= .275.
Jonathan Sanchez(LHP)- 6 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 3 BB, 5 K's. ERA= 3.27.
Waldis Joaquin(RHP)- 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K's ERA= 3.58.
I'm not sure we are seeing anything different from Sanchez from before he went on the DL. He's probably a better option right now than Zito, but expect to continue seeing a lot of 5 inning, high walk, high pitch count starts.
AA Richmond Flying Squirrels defeated the Erie Seawolves 4-2:
Chris Dominguez(3B)- 1 for 4, 2B. BA= .255.
Wes Hodges(1B)- 3 for 4, 2B. BA= .302.
Justin Fitzgerald(7 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 11 K's. ERA= 3.20.
Heath Hembree(1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, Save(10). ERA= 4.85.
Overall, Fitz has 74 K's and 40 BB's in 104 IP, but over his last 10 starts he has improved those ratios to 41 K's and 13 BB's in 49.2 IP.
High A Lancaster Jethawks downed the San Jose Giants 6-1:
Gary Brown(CF)- 1 for 3, 2B, BB, 2 OF Assists(2B, Home. BA= .317.
I wonder how close Brown came to being the trade bait. The Giants CF of the future?
Low A No games scheduled in the SAL.
Short Season Salem-Keizer Volcanoes edged the Yakima Bears 5-4:
Joe Panik(SS)- 2 for 5. BA= .322.
Brett Krill(RF)- 2 for 4, 2B, BB. BA= .411.
Garrett Buechele(3B)- 2 for 3, HR(3), BB. BA= .266.
Reiner Roibal(RHP)- 5 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 0 BB, 5 K's. ERA= 4.10.
Matt Graham(RHP)- 2.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 1 K. ERA= 9.61.
More baby steps for Graham. His ERA over his last 9 games is 5.58.
Rookie AZL Giants beat the Angels 3-1:
Edwin Escobar(LHP)- 5 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 7 K's. ERA= 3.13.
Demondre Arnold(RHP)- 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K's. ERA= 1.50.
Kyle Crick(RHP)- 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K's. ERA= 0.00.
Arnold is a 19 year old drafted this year who I'm cautiously optimistic about. His cumulative line so far: 1-0, 1.50, 12 IP, 3 BB, 13 Ks.
DSL Giants dominated the Nationals 8-2:
Adalberto Mejia(LHP, 18 yo)- 6 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 6 K's. ERA= 0.81.
Mejia is dominating the DSL at an appropriate age.
Justin Christian(RF)- 3 for 5, 2B, SB(15). BA= .320.
Bill Hall(SS)- 1 for 3, HR(1), 2 BB. BA= .385.
Brett Pill(1B)- 3 for 5, 2B, HR(20). BA= .319.
Conor Gillaspie(3B)- 1 for 4, HR(7), BB. BA= .275.
Jonathan Sanchez(LHP)- 6 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 3 BB, 5 K's. ERA= 3.27.
Waldis Joaquin(RHP)- 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K's ERA= 3.58.
I'm not sure we are seeing anything different from Sanchez from before he went on the DL. He's probably a better option right now than Zito, but expect to continue seeing a lot of 5 inning, high walk, high pitch count starts.
AA Richmond Flying Squirrels defeated the Erie Seawolves 4-2:
Chris Dominguez(3B)- 1 for 4, 2B. BA= .255.
Wes Hodges(1B)- 3 for 4, 2B. BA= .302.
Justin Fitzgerald(7 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 11 K's. ERA= 3.20.
Heath Hembree(1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, Save(10). ERA= 4.85.
Overall, Fitz has 74 K's and 40 BB's in 104 IP, but over his last 10 starts he has improved those ratios to 41 K's and 13 BB's in 49.2 IP.
High A Lancaster Jethawks downed the San Jose Giants 6-1:
Gary Brown(CF)- 1 for 3, 2B, BB, 2 OF Assists(2B, Home. BA= .317.
I wonder how close Brown came to being the trade bait. The Giants CF of the future?
Low A No games scheduled in the SAL.
Short Season Salem-Keizer Volcanoes edged the Yakima Bears 5-4:
Joe Panik(SS)- 2 for 5. BA= .322.
Brett Krill(RF)- 2 for 4, 2B, BB. BA= .411.
Garrett Buechele(3B)- 2 for 3, HR(3), BB. BA= .266.
Reiner Roibal(RHP)- 5 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 0 BB, 5 K's. ERA= 4.10.
Matt Graham(RHP)- 2.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 1 K. ERA= 9.61.
More baby steps for Graham. His ERA over his last 9 games is 5.58.
Rookie AZL Giants beat the Angels 3-1:
Edwin Escobar(LHP)- 5 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 7 K's. ERA= 3.13.
Demondre Arnold(RHP)- 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K's. ERA= 1.50.
Kyle Crick(RHP)- 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K's. ERA= 0.00.
Arnold is a 19 year old drafted this year who I'm cautiously optimistic about. His cumulative line so far: 1-0, 1.50, 12 IP, 3 BB, 13 Ks.
DSL Giants dominated the Nationals 8-2:
Adalberto Mejia(LHP, 18 yo)- 6 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 6 K's. ERA= 0.81.
Mejia is dominating the DSL at an appropriate age.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Game Wrap 7/27/2011: Giants 2 Phillies 1
I've said it before. I'll say it again. When you get down to the bedrock of this Giants team, you get to one name: Matthew Thomas Cain. In the NLCS last year, Bruce Bochy altered the pitching rotation to ensure that Cain would pitch in San Francisco thought by many to be a concession that Cain and his flyball tendencies were a risk in the bandbox that is Citizen's Bank Park only made worse by the extreme left-handed lean of the Phillies lineup. Tonight, Cain took the mound in that very same bandbox ballpark against an even more lefthanded lineup and proved that last year's NLCS performance in San Francisco was neither a fluke nor just a product of his home ballpark. He did not allow a run until the 7'th inning when the Giants had a 2 run lead and that run was unearned! That flyball tendency? Pffft! Cainer only got 1 K in this one but his GO/AO was 11/6 negating the HR risk while still maintaining his remarkable HR/Flyball ratio. Key Lines:
Offense: The Giants mustered just 6 hits but 4 of them were XBH's: Doubles by Keppinger, Nate and Huff plus a triple by Rowand.
Matt Cain- 7 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K. ERA= 2.91. What more can I say? Cain just has so many ways he can get it done now. He is a complete pitcher!
With the Win, the Giants maintain their 3 game lead in the NL West over the Dangerous D'Backs who edged the Pathetic Padres 4-3. The Reeling Rockies topped the Desperate Dodgers 3-1 to remain 11.5 games behind in 3'rd place while the Dodgers dropped to 13 games behind the leaders. The Pathetic ones are now 16 games behind in the NL West cellar.
Tim Lincecum is apparently feeling better and is scheduled to take the mound tomorrow against Kyle Kendrick and Carlos Beltran should be in RF hitting in the 3 hole! Go Giants!
Offense: The Giants mustered just 6 hits but 4 of them were XBH's: Doubles by Keppinger, Nate and Huff plus a triple by Rowand.
Matt Cain- 7 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K. ERA= 2.91. What more can I say? Cain just has so many ways he can get it done now. He is a complete pitcher!
With the Win, the Giants maintain their 3 game lead in the NL West over the Dangerous D'Backs who edged the Pathetic Padres 4-3. The Reeling Rockies topped the Desperate Dodgers 3-1 to remain 11.5 games behind in 3'rd place while the Dodgers dropped to 13 games behind the leaders. The Pathetic ones are now 16 games behind in the NL West cellar.
Tim Lincecum is apparently feeling better and is scheduled to take the mound tomorrow against Kyle Kendrick and Carlos Beltran should be in RF hitting in the 3 hole! Go Giants!
Scouting the Trade Deadline: Giants Acquire Carlos Beltran
Brian Sabean was in a position where he was going to get heat no matter what he did. With the Giants in first place in the NL West because of the best pitching staff in baseball top-to-bottom, but one of the worst offenses, staying in first place to the end of the season was not a given and winning in the playoffs seemed like a downright longshot. Stand pat and Sabean would be criticized heavily for failing to take advantage of the opportunity window this pitching staff is giving him. Make the trade and a bunch of obsessive nerds who do things like read minor league boxscores every day would be railing that he mortgaged the future of the team for a "rental."
First, let's take a look at what the Giants are getting in Beltran: Make no mistake. Carlos Beltran is a difference maker with a batting line of .289/.391/.513 with 15 HRs. He didn't do that in a bandbox park either. Citi Field is a serious ballpark and a tough place to hit, especially for power. He also has a track record of excellent play in the postseason with a cumulative OPS of 1.302 in 22 games. He is not just a good hitter. He was the best available hitter as the trade deadline approached. His only downside is a history of injuries but he has played in 98 of 104 games this year. Many teams wanted him. The Pirates apparently had a deal done for him but he exercised his no-trade clause to block that trade. Apparently Beltran thinks the Giants have a better chance of winning than the Pirates. There are no guarantees in baseball, or life for that matter, only probabilities. Beltran significantly increases the probability that the Giants will be able to repeat as World Series Champions.
Now let's take a look at what the Giants gave up in Wheeler: Zack Wheeler was the Giants first round draft choice in 2009, #5 overall. He is an excellent pitching prospect who I have raved about on this blog. Great size. Great velocity. Great K rates. Strong ground ball tendencies. Those are elite qualities. The only downside is a relatively high walk rate that will have to come down before he can become a MLB ace, but he's young enough that he still has plenty of time to correct it. As with all young pitchers, he is an injury risk but no higher than average. Again, there are no certainties in baseball, but Zack Wheeler will probably be a #1 or #2 MLB starting pitcher some day. The Giants gave up a lot.
Although I hate losing a prospect like Wheeler, I think this is a trade Sabean had to make. When you have a window of opportunity, you have to go for it. Winning 2 WS in a row is a pretty rare accomplishment unless you are the Yankees. It would make this Giants era one of the best of all time. Beltran makes that possibility significantly more likely. Zack Wheeler will not pitch in the major leagues for at least 2 years. Who knows what the landscape will look like then? I believe the Giants have the resources to hang onto the core of their pitching staff long term, but if not they can be traded prior to free agency much like the Mets just did with Beltran. 2 years is plenty of time to reload the farm system with pitching prospects and the Giants do know how to find pitching.
In summary, I give the trade a thumbs up while admitting it is a close call and admitting the Giants paid a big price.
BTW, for another opinion about the trade, look up Jeff Passan's article on yahoo.com. He does an interesting compare and contrast with the Cardinals and the Rasmus trade. Guess which one he likes better!
First, let's take a look at what the Giants are getting in Beltran: Make no mistake. Carlos Beltran is a difference maker with a batting line of .289/.391/.513 with 15 HRs. He didn't do that in a bandbox park either. Citi Field is a serious ballpark and a tough place to hit, especially for power. He also has a track record of excellent play in the postseason with a cumulative OPS of 1.302 in 22 games. He is not just a good hitter. He was the best available hitter as the trade deadline approached. His only downside is a history of injuries but he has played in 98 of 104 games this year. Many teams wanted him. The Pirates apparently had a deal done for him but he exercised his no-trade clause to block that trade. Apparently Beltran thinks the Giants have a better chance of winning than the Pirates. There are no guarantees in baseball, or life for that matter, only probabilities. Beltran significantly increases the probability that the Giants will be able to repeat as World Series Champions.
Now let's take a look at what the Giants gave up in Wheeler: Zack Wheeler was the Giants first round draft choice in 2009, #5 overall. He is an excellent pitching prospect who I have raved about on this blog. Great size. Great velocity. Great K rates. Strong ground ball tendencies. Those are elite qualities. The only downside is a relatively high walk rate that will have to come down before he can become a MLB ace, but he's young enough that he still has plenty of time to correct it. As with all young pitchers, he is an injury risk but no higher than average. Again, there are no certainties in baseball, but Zack Wheeler will probably be a #1 or #2 MLB starting pitcher some day. The Giants gave up a lot.
Although I hate losing a prospect like Wheeler, I think this is a trade Sabean had to make. When you have a window of opportunity, you have to go for it. Winning 2 WS in a row is a pretty rare accomplishment unless you are the Yankees. It would make this Giants era one of the best of all time. Beltran makes that possibility significantly more likely. Zack Wheeler will not pitch in the major leagues for at least 2 years. Who knows what the landscape will look like then? I believe the Giants have the resources to hang onto the core of their pitching staff long term, but if not they can be traded prior to free agency much like the Mets just did with Beltran. 2 years is plenty of time to reload the farm system with pitching prospects and the Giants do know how to find pitching.
In summary, I give the trade a thumbs up while admitting it is a close call and admitting the Giants paid a big price.
BTW, for another opinion about the trade, look up Jeff Passan's article on yahoo.com. He does an interesting compare and contrast with the Cardinals and the Rasmus trade. Guess which one he likes better!
Down on the Farm: 7/26/2011
AAA Salt Lake City Bees stung the Fresno Grizzlies 10-4:
Nick Noonan(SS)- 2 for 4, SB(1). BA= .320.
Hall, EdGone and Pill each had a 2B.
AA Erie Seawolves pummeled the Richmond Flying Squirrels 14-3:
Juan Perez(CF)- 2 for 4, 3B. BA= .250.
Sharlon Schoop(SS)- 3 for 4. BA= .208.
Wendell Fairley(LF)- 2 for 4. BA= .294.
Skyler Stromsmoe(??)- 1 IP, 1 H 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K. ERA= 0.00.
Perez is hitting .448 over his last 10 games. Schoop is hitting .379 over his last 10 while playing SS every day. Been a long strange trip for Schoop the last 2 seasons. Stromsmoe gets to show off his pitching chops in a blowout.
High A No games scheduled in the Cal League.
Low A Lakewood Blueclaws edged the Augusta Greenjackets 4-3:
Carlos Willoughby(2B)- 3 for 4, SB(29). BA= .270.
Josh Mazzola(1B)- 2 for 3, BB. BA= .240.
Willoughby is hitting .375 over his last 10 games. Mazzola is hitting .333 over his last 10.
Short Season Salem-Keizer Volcanoes topped the Vancouver Canadians 7-5:
Jesus Galindo- 2 for 5, SB(18), OF Assist(home). BA= .276.
Brett Krill(RF)- 2 for 5. BA= .407.
Mike Murray(DH)- 2 for 5, 2B. BA= .400.
John Eshleman(2B)- 2 for 4, 2 2B. BA= .235.
Kendry Flores(RHP)- 6 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 7 K's. ERA= 4.10.
Flores is 19 yo. He has 38 K's against 11 BB's in 37.1 IP so far in the NWL.
Rookie AZL Giants clobbered the Reds 12-5:
Myles Schroder(C)- 2 for 5, HR(1). BA= .291.
Ben Thomas(1B)- 2 for 4, 2 2B. BA= .346.
Christian Paulino(2B)- 2 for 4, 3B. BA= .269.
Kelby Tomlinson(SS)- 1 for 4, BB, SB(5). BA= .284.
Hadn't called Ben Thomas' name for awhile.
DSL Cubs edged the Giants 2-1 in 10 innings:
Emmanuel De Jesus(LHP, 17 yo)- 6 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 7 K's. ERA= 2.60.
In his last 4 starts, De Jesus has 33 K's against 6 BB in 23 IP. How great would it be to have 2 high ceiling LHP's come out of the DSL this year?
Nick Noonan(SS)- 2 for 4, SB(1). BA= .320.
Hall, EdGone and Pill each had a 2B.
AA Erie Seawolves pummeled the Richmond Flying Squirrels 14-3:
Juan Perez(CF)- 2 for 4, 3B. BA= .250.
Sharlon Schoop(SS)- 3 for 4. BA= .208.
Wendell Fairley(LF)- 2 for 4. BA= .294.
Skyler Stromsmoe(??)- 1 IP, 1 H 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K. ERA= 0.00.
Perez is hitting .448 over his last 10 games. Schoop is hitting .379 over his last 10 while playing SS every day. Been a long strange trip for Schoop the last 2 seasons. Stromsmoe gets to show off his pitching chops in a blowout.
High A No games scheduled in the Cal League.
Low A Lakewood Blueclaws edged the Augusta Greenjackets 4-3:
Carlos Willoughby(2B)- 3 for 4, SB(29). BA= .270.
Josh Mazzola(1B)- 2 for 3, BB. BA= .240.
Willoughby is hitting .375 over his last 10 games. Mazzola is hitting .333 over his last 10.
Short Season Salem-Keizer Volcanoes topped the Vancouver Canadians 7-5:
Jesus Galindo- 2 for 5, SB(18), OF Assist(home). BA= .276.
Brett Krill(RF)- 2 for 5. BA= .407.
Mike Murray(DH)- 2 for 5, 2B. BA= .400.
John Eshleman(2B)- 2 for 4, 2 2B. BA= .235.
Kendry Flores(RHP)- 6 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 7 K's. ERA= 4.10.
Flores is 19 yo. He has 38 K's against 11 BB's in 37.1 IP so far in the NWL.
Rookie AZL Giants clobbered the Reds 12-5:
Myles Schroder(C)- 2 for 5, HR(1). BA= .291.
Ben Thomas(1B)- 2 for 4, 2 2B. BA= .346.
Christian Paulino(2B)- 2 for 4, 3B. BA= .269.
Kelby Tomlinson(SS)- 1 for 4, BB, SB(5). BA= .284.
Hadn't called Ben Thomas' name for awhile.
DSL Cubs edged the Giants 2-1 in 10 innings:
Emmanuel De Jesus(LHP, 17 yo)- 6 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 7 K's. ERA= 2.60.
In his last 4 starts, De Jesus has 33 K's against 6 BB in 23 IP. How great would it be to have 2 high ceiling LHP's come out of the DSL this year?
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Game Wrap 7/26/2011: Phillies 7 Giants 2
It's never a good sign when you are expecting Tim Lincecum to start the Giants game for the day, but when you open mlb.com to check the score, you find a picture of Barry Zito pitching. That's all I'm going to say about this game as I really don't feel like writing about it and it seems like a game best forgotten as quickly as possible. Hopefully Timmy is feeling enough better from his stomach virus to start tomorrow.
Down on the Farm: 7/25/2011
First off, I'd like to send a though up to the Big Guy re. Dave Cameron who writes for fangraphs.com. He posted yesterday that he has been diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia(AML) one of the nastier diseases lurking out there. He's got a tough row to hoe here and I want to wish him success in this fight.
AAA Fresno Grizzlies beat the Colorado Springs Skysox 8-3:
Justin Christian(CF-LF)- 2 for 3, 2B, 2 BB, OF Assist(2B). BA= .311.
Bill Hall(2B)- 1 for 3, BB. BA= .500.
Mark DeRosa(3B)- 2 for 4, 2B. BA= .333.
Brad Eldred(RF)- 1 for 3, HR(18), SB(6). BA= .269.
Christian has really had a fine season and probably deserves a shot at a reserve OF gig in the majors with some team. DeRosa's wrist seems to be holding up so far. If he's healthy, he could be an offensive upgrade at 2B with Kepp moving over to SS.
AA Richmond Flying Squirrels edged the Erie Seawolves 3-2:
Wes Hodges(1B)- 2 for 4, HR(6). BA= .282.
Johnny Monell(C)- 2 for 4. BA= .260.
Roger Kieschnick(RF)- 1 for 4, 2B, SB(13). BA= .268
Ryan Verdugo(LHP)- 7 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 6 K's. ERA= 3.75.
Keeping the walks down is Verdugo's main task right now. Good game for him!
High A San Jose Giants held off a late rally by the Visalia Rawhide to hang on for an 8-6 win:
Gary Brown(CF)- 2 for 5. BA= .317.
Tommy Joseph(C)- 2 for 4. BA= .253.
James Simmons(RF)- 1 for 4, HR(7). BA= .309.
Kelvin Marte(LHP)- 5 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 4 BB, 2 K's. ERA= 3.40.
Low A Lakewood Blueclaws topped the Augusta Greenjackets 3-1:
Rafael Rodriguez(LF)- 2 for 4, OF Assist(Home). BA= .239.
Mike Kickham(LHP)- 6.1 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 3 BB, 7 K's. ERA= 4.54.
Kickham took a shutout into the 7'th inning.
Short Season Salem-Keizer Volcanoes out hit the Vancouver Canadians 10-6:
Joe Panik(SS)- 1 for 5, 3B. BA= .324.
Mike Murray(DH)- 2 for 4, BB. BA= .400.
Brett Krill(RF)- 4 for 5, 2B. BA= .407.
Brice Cutspec(1B)- 2 for 5, HR6). BA= .253.
Murray and Krill continue to rake. I'm really interested, especially with Krill, to see what they do at higher levels next year. I thought Krill was a sleeper but he's been sensational so far.
Rookie AZL Giants downed the Brewers 3-1:
Clayton Blackburn(RHP)- 4 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 4 K's, GO/AO= 7/1. ERA= 0.79.
Brian Maloney(LHP)- 3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K's. ERA= 3.55.
Blackburn gets his first pro start and gives up his first pro run. Still a fine outing for the kid. Maloney now has 21 K's against 5 BB's in 12.2 IP,
DSL Giants outscored the Rangers 10-8:
Renzo Freite(RHP, 18 yo)- 6.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 6 K's. ERA= 2.40.
Surprisingly, not much to see on offense. Typical DSL game as Giants drew a total of 9 walks.
AAA Fresno Grizzlies beat the Colorado Springs Skysox 8-3:
Justin Christian(CF-LF)- 2 for 3, 2B, 2 BB, OF Assist(2B). BA= .311.
Bill Hall(2B)- 1 for 3, BB. BA= .500.
Mark DeRosa(3B)- 2 for 4, 2B. BA= .333.
Brad Eldred(RF)- 1 for 3, HR(18), SB(6). BA= .269.
Christian has really had a fine season and probably deserves a shot at a reserve OF gig in the majors with some team. DeRosa's wrist seems to be holding up so far. If he's healthy, he could be an offensive upgrade at 2B with Kepp moving over to SS.
AA Richmond Flying Squirrels edged the Erie Seawolves 3-2:
Wes Hodges(1B)- 2 for 4, HR(6). BA= .282.
Johnny Monell(C)- 2 for 4. BA= .260.
Roger Kieschnick(RF)- 1 for 4, 2B, SB(13). BA= .268
Ryan Verdugo(LHP)- 7 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 6 K's. ERA= 3.75.
Keeping the walks down is Verdugo's main task right now. Good game for him!
High A San Jose Giants held off a late rally by the Visalia Rawhide to hang on for an 8-6 win:
Gary Brown(CF)- 2 for 5. BA= .317.
Tommy Joseph(C)- 2 for 4. BA= .253.
James Simmons(RF)- 1 for 4, HR(7). BA= .309.
Kelvin Marte(LHP)- 5 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 4 BB, 2 K's. ERA= 3.40.
Low A Lakewood Blueclaws topped the Augusta Greenjackets 3-1:
Rafael Rodriguez(LF)- 2 for 4, OF Assist(Home). BA= .239.
Mike Kickham(LHP)- 6.1 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 3 BB, 7 K's. ERA= 4.54.
Kickham took a shutout into the 7'th inning.
Short Season Salem-Keizer Volcanoes out hit the Vancouver Canadians 10-6:
Joe Panik(SS)- 1 for 5, 3B. BA= .324.
Mike Murray(DH)- 2 for 4, BB. BA= .400.
Brett Krill(RF)- 4 for 5, 2B. BA= .407.
Brice Cutspec(1B)- 2 for 5, HR6). BA= .253.
Murray and Krill continue to rake. I'm really interested, especially with Krill, to see what they do at higher levels next year. I thought Krill was a sleeper but he's been sensational so far.
Rookie AZL Giants downed the Brewers 3-1:
Clayton Blackburn(RHP)- 4 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 4 K's, GO/AO= 7/1. ERA= 0.79.
Brian Maloney(LHP)- 3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K's. ERA= 3.55.
Blackburn gets his first pro start and gives up his first pro run. Still a fine outing for the kid. Maloney now has 21 K's against 5 BB's in 12.2 IP,
DSL Giants outscored the Rangers 10-8:
Renzo Freite(RHP, 18 yo)- 6.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 6 K's. ERA= 2.40.
Surprisingly, not much to see on offense. Typical DSL game as Giants drew a total of 9 walks.
Monday, July 25, 2011
Down on the Farm: 7/24/2011
AAA Colorado Springs Skysox beat the Fresno Grizzlies 9-7:
Justin Christian(RF)- 1 for 3, HR(5), 2 BB, SB(14). BA= .299.
BIll Hall(2B)- 2 for 3, 2B. BA= .667.
Nick Noonan(2B)- 1 for 1, BB. BA= .333.
Not a lot to see here. DeRosa had a scheduled day off? Hall is starting his rehab. Is there a place for him when he's done?
AA Richmond Flying Squirrels swept a DH from the Harrisburg Senators 4-1 and 7-5:
Game 1:
Roger Kieschnick(LF)- 1 for 2, HR(12), BB. BA= .267.
Juan Perez(CF)- 2 for 3, 2B, 3B. BA= .249.
Skyler Stromsmoe(1B)- 2 for 2, 2B, BB. BA= .235.
Eric Surkamp(LHP)- 7 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 10 K's. ERA= 2.00.
Brown and Surkamp for Beltran is one trade that has been rumored to be agreed upon waiting for announcement. Sabes seemed to shoot that down saying they are not close to any trade.
Game 2:
Francisco Peguero(CF)- 2 for 3, 2B. BA= .278.
Wilmin Rodriguez(LHP)- 5 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 2 K's. ERA= 2.70.
Heath Hembree(RHP)- 1 IP, 2 H, 4 R, 2 BB, 1 K. ERA= 5.25.
High A San Jose Giants swept a twinbill from the Visalia Rawhide 7-3 and 5-0:
Game 1:
Gary Brown(CF)- 2 for 3. BA= .316.
Tommy Joseph(C)- 1 for 3, 2B. BA= .249.
Chris Heston(RHP)- 7 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 BB, 4 K's, GO/AO= 13/3. ERA= 3.96.
Brown sat out on a scheduled day off yesterday fueling trade rumors. Guess it was....just a day off?
Game 2:
Gary Brown(CF)- 1 for 3. BA= .316.
Jarrett Parker(RF)- 2 for 3. BA= .271.
Alex Burg(C)- 1 for 3, 2B. BA= .323.
Andy Reichard( RHP)- 5 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, GO/AO= 9/0. ERA= 3.00.
Brown went 3 for 6 on the day.
Low A Lakewood Blueclaws defeated the Augusta Greenjackets 5-1:
Willoughby, Mazzola and Campbell had 2 hits each.
Short Season Vancouver Canadians downed the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes 5-2:
Jesus Galindo(CF)- 2 for 4, 2B, SB(17). BA= .271.
Brett Krill(RF)- 3 for 4, 2B. BA= .383.
Brandon Allen(RHP)- 5.1 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 3 K's. ERA= 5.65.
Matt Graham(RHP)- 2.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 1 K. ERA= 10.59.
Allen gave up just 1 run through the first 5 innings. Graham gave up 2 in the 7'th but got out of the inning and came back to give up none in the 8'th. Baby steps! Galindo is on fire!
Rookie AZL Giants were idle.
DSL All-Star Game. I did not see any names of Giants players I recognized.
Justin Christian(RF)- 1 for 3, HR(5), 2 BB, SB(14). BA= .299.
BIll Hall(2B)- 2 for 3, 2B. BA= .667.
Nick Noonan(2B)- 1 for 1, BB. BA= .333.
Not a lot to see here. DeRosa had a scheduled day off? Hall is starting his rehab. Is there a place for him when he's done?
AA Richmond Flying Squirrels swept a DH from the Harrisburg Senators 4-1 and 7-5:
Game 1:
Roger Kieschnick(LF)- 1 for 2, HR(12), BB. BA= .267.
Juan Perez(CF)- 2 for 3, 2B, 3B. BA= .249.
Skyler Stromsmoe(1B)- 2 for 2, 2B, BB. BA= .235.
Eric Surkamp(LHP)- 7 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 10 K's. ERA= 2.00.
Brown and Surkamp for Beltran is one trade that has been rumored to be agreed upon waiting for announcement. Sabes seemed to shoot that down saying they are not close to any trade.
Game 2:
Francisco Peguero(CF)- 2 for 3, 2B. BA= .278.
Wilmin Rodriguez(LHP)- 5 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 2 K's. ERA= 2.70.
Heath Hembree(RHP)- 1 IP, 2 H, 4 R, 2 BB, 1 K. ERA= 5.25.
High A San Jose Giants swept a twinbill from the Visalia Rawhide 7-3 and 5-0:
Game 1:
Gary Brown(CF)- 2 for 3. BA= .316.
Tommy Joseph(C)- 1 for 3, 2B. BA= .249.
Chris Heston(RHP)- 7 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 BB, 4 K's, GO/AO= 13/3. ERA= 3.96.
Brown sat out on a scheduled day off yesterday fueling trade rumors. Guess it was....just a day off?
Game 2:
Gary Brown(CF)- 1 for 3. BA= .316.
Jarrett Parker(RF)- 2 for 3. BA= .271.
Alex Burg(C)- 1 for 3, 2B. BA= .323.
Andy Reichard( RHP)- 5 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, GO/AO= 9/0. ERA= 3.00.
Brown went 3 for 6 on the day.
Low A Lakewood Blueclaws defeated the Augusta Greenjackets 5-1:
Willoughby, Mazzola and Campbell had 2 hits each.
Short Season Vancouver Canadians downed the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes 5-2:
Jesus Galindo(CF)- 2 for 4, 2B, SB(17). BA= .271.
Brett Krill(RF)- 3 for 4, 2B. BA= .383.
Brandon Allen(RHP)- 5.1 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 3 K's. ERA= 5.65.
Matt Graham(RHP)- 2.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 1 K. ERA= 10.59.
Allen gave up just 1 run through the first 5 innings. Graham gave up 2 in the 7'th but got out of the inning and came back to give up none in the 8'th. Baby steps! Galindo is on fire!
Rookie AZL Giants were idle.
DSL All-Star Game. I did not see any names of Giants players I recognized.
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Game Wrap 7/24/2011: Giants 2 BrewCrew 1
Madison Bumgarner and Yovani Gallardo hooked up in a pitchers' duel out at AT&T Park this afternoon. The BrewCrew drew first blood on Ryan Braun's HR to dead center in the first inning, but then Bumgarner clamped down. Bum also generated the first run the Giants scored on a double to CF then scoring from 2B on a single to LF by Keppinger. The bullpen got the last 4 outs to make it all stand up. Key Lines:
Aubrey Huff- 3 for 4. BA= .240. Maybe Huffy is finally relaxing and playing within himself. He had no Runs and no RBI's in this one but started the winning rally with Nate scoring the run after hitting into a Fielder's Choice behind Huff.
Brandon Belt- 2 for 2, BB. BA= .232. One of the hits was a swinging bunt to the left side but a good game from The Belter.
Madison Bumgarner- 7.2 IP, 8 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 8 K's. ERA= 3.56. Bum was throwing darts today. He has a K/9 of 7.92 against a BB/9 of 1.93 on the season. Take out the one terrible game against Minnesota and his ERA is 3.00. Bum is rapidly becoming one of the elite pitchers in baseball.
Brian Wilson- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's, Save(31). ERA= 2.83.
With the win, the Giants win the series from another division leader. They also finish the 6 game homestand at 4-2. They maintain their 4 game lead in the NL West after the D'Backs blank the Rockies 7-0. It now seems to be a 2 team race in the NL West as the Rockies drop to 11 games behind the leaders. The Dodgers topped the Nats 3-1 to stay in 4'th place 13.5 games behind while the Padres lost to the Phillies again 5-3 to drop to 15 games behind in last place.
The Giants have a day off tomorrow but will be busy with their obligatory visit to the White House. Maybe Bochy, Burrell and Wilson can broker a budget deal while they are there like they do in the Together We Are Giant ads. LOL!
The Giants then start a 6 game road trip with a 3 games set against the Phillies in Citizen's Bank Park. They won't be facing Lee or Halladay. Someone over on the Phils' board is accusing Bochy of manipulating the rotations by playing the Phllies' starters in the All-Star Game while sitting Tim and Vogey. Well you know what? If Bochy is smart enough to calculate the rotations that far ahead, and I think he probably is, then that's exactly what he did and more power to him!! I'd be mad at him if he didn't. That's part of the spoils of being the Pennant winning manager! Anyway, the rest of the Phils' rotation is no cakewalk so their fans may be crying over nothing. Besides, didn't the Giants own Halladay and Lee in the NLCS? Timmy starts it off against Cole Hamels in game on Tuesday evening.
Nothing new on the trade front. I kind of half expected an announcement after the game today, but apparently nothing is Brewing!
Aubrey Huff- 3 for 4. BA= .240. Maybe Huffy is finally relaxing and playing within himself. He had no Runs and no RBI's in this one but started the winning rally with Nate scoring the run after hitting into a Fielder's Choice behind Huff.
Brandon Belt- 2 for 2, BB. BA= .232. One of the hits was a swinging bunt to the left side but a good game from The Belter.
Madison Bumgarner- 7.2 IP, 8 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 8 K's. ERA= 3.56. Bum was throwing darts today. He has a K/9 of 7.92 against a BB/9 of 1.93 on the season. Take out the one terrible game against Minnesota and his ERA is 3.00. Bum is rapidly becoming one of the elite pitchers in baseball.
Brian Wilson- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's, Save(31). ERA= 2.83.
With the win, the Giants win the series from another division leader. They also finish the 6 game homestand at 4-2. They maintain their 4 game lead in the NL West after the D'Backs blank the Rockies 7-0. It now seems to be a 2 team race in the NL West as the Rockies drop to 11 games behind the leaders. The Dodgers topped the Nats 3-1 to stay in 4'th place 13.5 games behind while the Padres lost to the Phillies again 5-3 to drop to 15 games behind in last place.
The Giants have a day off tomorrow but will be busy with their obligatory visit to the White House. Maybe Bochy, Burrell and Wilson can broker a budget deal while they are there like they do in the Together We Are Giant ads. LOL!
The Giants then start a 6 game road trip with a 3 games set against the Phillies in Citizen's Bank Park. They won't be facing Lee or Halladay. Someone over on the Phils' board is accusing Bochy of manipulating the rotations by playing the Phllies' starters in the All-Star Game while sitting Tim and Vogey. Well you know what? If Bochy is smart enough to calculate the rotations that far ahead, and I think he probably is, then that's exactly what he did and more power to him!! I'd be mad at him if he didn't. That's part of the spoils of being the Pennant winning manager! Anyway, the rest of the Phils' rotation is no cakewalk so their fans may be crying over nothing. Besides, didn't the Giants own Halladay and Lee in the NLCS? Timmy starts it off against Cole Hamels in game on Tuesday evening.
Nothing new on the trade front. I kind of half expected an announcement after the game today, but apparently nothing is Brewing!
Down on the Farm: 7/23/2011
First a couple of notes:
1. Be sure and check out Splashing Pumpkins for a great interview of Catcher Mike Murray, a Giants farmhand in short season ball. The link to the site is over on the left.
2. There's an intriguing not on MLBTR to the effect that Brian Sabean does have an "untouchables" list, but it's not the same list everybody assumes it is. 3 possibilities: 1. It could be all BS. 2. Sabes could really have a different evaluation of some of the prospects in the system than BA and other observers. 3. It's a "leak" designed to soften us up for losing Brown or Wheeler in a Beltran trade. I generally don't like mortgaging the future for a rental because there is no guarantee the rental will put you over the top and then you are left with nothing. In this case, the Giants badly need the bat and have a deep farm system, so I think it's a close call. Between Wheeler and Brown, I'd be more OK with losing Brown, not because I don't like him, but because Peguero is a similar player and the Giants are thinner in pitching prospects.
On with the rundown:
AAA Colorado Springs Skysox defeated the Fresno Grizzlies 5-2:
Justin Christian(RF)- 0 for 2, 2 BB, SB(13). BA= .298.
Brett Pill(1B)- 2 for 4, 2B. BA= .319.
Dan Runzler(LHP)- 4.1 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 7 K's. ERA= 5.16.
Pill has been playing exclusively 1B since Belt's callup and DeRosa's arrival. Runzler gave up 4 of his runs in the 5'th inning. His K and BB's looked great and he was lights out for the first 4 innings. A guy who works for the Grizzlies said there was a scout from another team watching Runzler, but did not seem to know which team.
AA Richmond Flying Squirrels beat the Harrisburg Senators in game 1 of a DH 5-1. Game 2 was postponed.
Wendell Fairley(LF)- 2 for 3, 2B, BB. BA= .304.
Charlie Culberson(2B)- 2 for 3, 2B. BA= .278.
Chuck Lofgren(LHP)- 5.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 3 K's. ERA= 1.59.
Fairley hit leadoff in this one. Good to see him off to a good start in AA. Culby is hitting .400 over his last 10 games. Lofgren got one start for Fresno and got hit around pretty good. This was his first start for Richmond.
High A San Jose Giants edged the Visalia Rawhide 6-5:
Jose Flores(DH)- 4 for 4, 2B. BA= .277.
Michael Main(RHP)- 5.1 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 3 BB, 5 K's. ERA= 4.28.
Jacob Dunnington(RHP)-2.2 iP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K's. ERA= 0.00.
Dunnington has now pitched 12.2 innings in the Cal League with 2 BB and 16 K's. Impressive! He had a similar K rate in Augusta but walked more batters.
Low A Augusta Greenjackets downed the Lakewood Blueclaws 4-1:
Chris Lofton(CF)- 3 for 5. BA= .262.
Ryan Lollis(RF)- 3 for 5, 2B. BA= .303.
Mazzola, Scoma and Haney had 2 hits each.
Shawn Sanford(RHP)- 6 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 4 K's. ERA= 2.53.
Edward Concepcion(RHP)- 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's. ERA= 3.41.
Seth Rosin(RHP)- 2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 5 K's. ERA= 3.71.
Lofton is hitting .316 over his last 10 games. He hit .179 in the month of May, but has hit .292, .281 and .281 in May, June and July. Rosin's line over his last 10 games is 0-0, 2.79, 19.1 IP, 6 BB, 30 K's!
Short Season Everett Aquasox smacked the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes around 14-3:
Jeff Honeycutt(PH-RF)- 2 for 2, HR(1). BA= .196.
Leonardo Ochoa(LF)- 2 for 4, SB(1). BA= .277.
Dan Burkhart(C)- 1 for 4, HR(3). BA= .270.
Garrett Buechele(3B)- 2 for 4. BA= .281.
Wilber Bucardo(RHP0- 2.2 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K's. ERA= 3.09.
Rookie AZL Giants edged the Dodgers 2-1;
Leonardo Fuentes(RF)- 2 for 3, HR(2), BB. BA= .283.
Joan Gregorio(RHP)- 4.1 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 7 K's. ERA= 2.05.
Kyle Crick(RHP)- 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's. ERA= 0.00.
Excited about all 3 of these kids. Fuentes is hitting .333/.372/.564 over his last 10 games.
DSL No games scheduled.
1. Be sure and check out Splashing Pumpkins for a great interview of Catcher Mike Murray, a Giants farmhand in short season ball. The link to the site is over on the left.
2. There's an intriguing not on MLBTR to the effect that Brian Sabean does have an "untouchables" list, but it's not the same list everybody assumes it is. 3 possibilities: 1. It could be all BS. 2. Sabes could really have a different evaluation of some of the prospects in the system than BA and other observers. 3. It's a "leak" designed to soften us up for losing Brown or Wheeler in a Beltran trade. I generally don't like mortgaging the future for a rental because there is no guarantee the rental will put you over the top and then you are left with nothing. In this case, the Giants badly need the bat and have a deep farm system, so I think it's a close call. Between Wheeler and Brown, I'd be more OK with losing Brown, not because I don't like him, but because Peguero is a similar player and the Giants are thinner in pitching prospects.
On with the rundown:
AAA Colorado Springs Skysox defeated the Fresno Grizzlies 5-2:
Justin Christian(RF)- 0 for 2, 2 BB, SB(13). BA= .298.
Brett Pill(1B)- 2 for 4, 2B. BA= .319.
Dan Runzler(LHP)- 4.1 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 7 K's. ERA= 5.16.
Pill has been playing exclusively 1B since Belt's callup and DeRosa's arrival. Runzler gave up 4 of his runs in the 5'th inning. His K and BB's looked great and he was lights out for the first 4 innings. A guy who works for the Grizzlies said there was a scout from another team watching Runzler, but did not seem to know which team.
AA Richmond Flying Squirrels beat the Harrisburg Senators in game 1 of a DH 5-1. Game 2 was postponed.
Wendell Fairley(LF)- 2 for 3, 2B, BB. BA= .304.
Charlie Culberson(2B)- 2 for 3, 2B. BA= .278.
Chuck Lofgren(LHP)- 5.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 3 K's. ERA= 1.59.
Fairley hit leadoff in this one. Good to see him off to a good start in AA. Culby is hitting .400 over his last 10 games. Lofgren got one start for Fresno and got hit around pretty good. This was his first start for Richmond.
High A San Jose Giants edged the Visalia Rawhide 6-5:
Jose Flores(DH)- 4 for 4, 2B. BA= .277.
Michael Main(RHP)- 5.1 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 3 BB, 5 K's. ERA= 4.28.
Jacob Dunnington(RHP)-2.2 iP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K's. ERA= 0.00.
Dunnington has now pitched 12.2 innings in the Cal League with 2 BB and 16 K's. Impressive! He had a similar K rate in Augusta but walked more batters.
Low A Augusta Greenjackets downed the Lakewood Blueclaws 4-1:
Chris Lofton(CF)- 3 for 5. BA= .262.
Ryan Lollis(RF)- 3 for 5, 2B. BA= .303.
Mazzola, Scoma and Haney had 2 hits each.
Shawn Sanford(RHP)- 6 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 4 K's. ERA= 2.53.
Edward Concepcion(RHP)- 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's. ERA= 3.41.
Seth Rosin(RHP)- 2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 5 K's. ERA= 3.71.
Lofton is hitting .316 over his last 10 games. He hit .179 in the month of May, but has hit .292, .281 and .281 in May, June and July. Rosin's line over his last 10 games is 0-0, 2.79, 19.1 IP, 6 BB, 30 K's!
Short Season Everett Aquasox smacked the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes around 14-3:
Jeff Honeycutt(PH-RF)- 2 for 2, HR(1). BA= .196.
Leonardo Ochoa(LF)- 2 for 4, SB(1). BA= .277.
Dan Burkhart(C)- 1 for 4, HR(3). BA= .270.
Garrett Buechele(3B)- 2 for 4. BA= .281.
Wilber Bucardo(RHP0- 2.2 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K's. ERA= 3.09.
Rookie AZL Giants edged the Dodgers 2-1;
Leonardo Fuentes(RF)- 2 for 3, HR(2), BB. BA= .283.
Joan Gregorio(RHP)- 4.1 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 7 K's. ERA= 2.05.
Kyle Crick(RHP)- 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's. ERA= 0.00.
Excited about all 3 of these kids. Fuentes is hitting .333/.372/.564 over his last 10 games.
DSL No games scheduled.
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Game Wrap 7/23/2011: Giants 4 BrewCrew 2
Ryan Voglesong faced possibly his biggest challenge of the year in Milwaukee's offense. He had to pitch his way out of some jams and it took a lot of pitches, but ultimately, he gave his team a chance to win and he got just enough help from the offense and the bullpen and came away with another W. Key Lines:
Aubrey Huff- 1 for 1, 2 BB, SF. BA= .235. Huffy had some good AB's tonight, was on base 3 times plus a productive out.
Nate Schierholtz- 3 for 4, 2 2B. BA= .292. Nate's one out was a long drive almost to the warning track in CF which was caught.
Ryan Vogelsong- 5 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 3 K's. ERA= 2.10. The line doesn't look all that great, but Vogey threw some really good pitches to some really good hitters. No shame in giving up a dinger to Ryan Braun! He did gets some help on defense with a great throw, catch and tag by Cody Ross and CStew on Weeks trying to score from 2B on a single to LF. Keppinger made a Freddy-like grab of a liner to 2B too.
Bullpen- 4 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 4 K's. Romo got a favorable call from the ump on a strikeout pitch to Braun. Lopez did his LOOGY thing and abused Prince Fielder. Wilson didn't get any K's but was throwing strikes apparently realizing he had a 2 run lead to work with.
The Win keeps the Giants lead in the NL West at 4 games over the D'Backs who clobbered the Rockies 12-3, dropping the Rockies to 10 games back in 3'rd place. THe Padres lost the Fox Game of the Week to the Phils 8-6 to fall 13 games behind. Man, it looked hot in Philly and the balls were jumping out of that park! The Dodgers trail the Nats 6-5 in the 7'th inning and are also 14 games behind pending the outcome of their game.
Madison Bumgarner takes the mound against Yovani Gallardo, who always seems to give the Giants fits, in a day game tomorrow.
Aubrey Huff- 1 for 1, 2 BB, SF. BA= .235. Huffy had some good AB's tonight, was on base 3 times plus a productive out.
Nate Schierholtz- 3 for 4, 2 2B. BA= .292. Nate's one out was a long drive almost to the warning track in CF which was caught.
Ryan Vogelsong- 5 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 3 K's. ERA= 2.10. The line doesn't look all that great, but Vogey threw some really good pitches to some really good hitters. No shame in giving up a dinger to Ryan Braun! He did gets some help on defense with a great throw, catch and tag by Cody Ross and CStew on Weeks trying to score from 2B on a single to LF. Keppinger made a Freddy-like grab of a liner to 2B too.
Bullpen- 4 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 4 K's. Romo got a favorable call from the ump on a strikeout pitch to Braun. Lopez did his LOOGY thing and abused Prince Fielder. Wilson didn't get any K's but was throwing strikes apparently realizing he had a 2 run lead to work with.
The Win keeps the Giants lead in the NL West at 4 games over the D'Backs who clobbered the Rockies 12-3, dropping the Rockies to 10 games back in 3'rd place. THe Padres lost the Fox Game of the Week to the Phils 8-6 to fall 13 games behind. Man, it looked hot in Philly and the balls were jumping out of that park! The Dodgers trail the Nats 6-5 in the 7'th inning and are also 14 games behind pending the outcome of their game.
Madison Bumgarner takes the mound against Yovani Gallardo, who always seems to give the Giants fits, in a day game tomorrow.
Down on the Farm: 7/22/2011
AAA Colorado Springs Skysox downed the Fresno Grizzlies 6-3:
Justin Christian(RF)- 2 for 5, HR(4). BA= .305.
Tyler Graham(CF)- 1 for 4, 2 SB(48). BA= .269.
Mark DeRosa(2B)- 1 for 4. BA= .368.
Nick Noonan(SS)- 2 for 4. BA= .357.
Jonathan Sanchez(LHP)- 5 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 8 K's. ERA= 3.60.
Looks like a pretty typical Jonathan Sanchez game to me.
AA Richmond Flying Squirrels split a DH with the Harrisburg Senators winning the first game 3-1 and dropping the second 1-0:
Game 1:
Chris Dominguez(3B)- 1 for 3, HR(4). BA= .282.
Justin Fitzgerald(RHP)- 6 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 2 K's. ERA= 3.34.
Heath Hembree(RHP)- 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 K's. ERA= 2.45.
game 2:
Nothing to see here.
High A Bakersfield Blaze torched the San Jose Giants 7-1:
Zack Wheeler- 5.1 IP, 10 H, 5 R, 1 BB, 3 K's, GO/AO= 8/0. ERA= 3.99.
Wheels kept the walks down, but got hit around pretty good.
Low A Augusta Greenjackets game was cancelled.
Short Season Salem-Keizer Volcanoes topped the Everett Aquasox 5-3:
Jesus Galindo(CF)- 4 for 5, 2B, SB(16). BA= .267.
Kaohi Downing(LF)- 2 for 4, HBP. BA= .341.
Brett Krill(RF)- 3 for 4. BA= .364.
Joe Staley(C)- 1 for 4, HR(5). BA= .247.
Lorenzo Mendoza(RHP)- 6 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 0 BB, 8 K's. ERA= 5.66.
Galindo is looking more and more like a keeper. Despite his relatively high ERA, Mendoza appears to be pitching well with 34 K's against just 5 BB's in 35 IP.
Rookie AZL D'Backs scored 11 runs in the first 2 innings then held off a late rally to edge the Giants 15-14:
Kelby Tomlinson(SS)- 3 for 6, 2B. BA= .316.
Jose Cuevas(3B)- 2 for 5, BB. BA= .299.
Leonardo Fuentes(RF)- 2 for 5, 2B. BA= .270.
Eldred Barnett(LF-CF)- 3 for 6. BA= .292.
Stephen Yarrow(DH)- 3 for 5. BA= .600.
Jean Delgado(2B)- 2 for 4, BB. BA= .333.
Christian Diaz(PH)- 1 for 1. BA= .500.
Obviously a great game to pad the stat lines. Especially love what the young kids are showing, Fuentes, Delgado and Diaz. Yarrow makes his pro debut after signing as a non-drafted free agent out of USF. He's listed as a 3'rd baseman.
DSL Phillies edged the Giants 5-4:
Nothing to see here.
Justin Christian(RF)- 2 for 5, HR(4). BA= .305.
Tyler Graham(CF)- 1 for 4, 2 SB(48). BA= .269.
Mark DeRosa(2B)- 1 for 4. BA= .368.
Nick Noonan(SS)- 2 for 4. BA= .357.
Jonathan Sanchez(LHP)- 5 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 8 K's. ERA= 3.60.
Looks like a pretty typical Jonathan Sanchez game to me.
AA Richmond Flying Squirrels split a DH with the Harrisburg Senators winning the first game 3-1 and dropping the second 1-0:
Game 1:
Chris Dominguez(3B)- 1 for 3, HR(4). BA= .282.
Justin Fitzgerald(RHP)- 6 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 2 K's. ERA= 3.34.
Heath Hembree(RHP)- 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 K's. ERA= 2.45.
game 2:
Nothing to see here.
High A Bakersfield Blaze torched the San Jose Giants 7-1:
Zack Wheeler- 5.1 IP, 10 H, 5 R, 1 BB, 3 K's, GO/AO= 8/0. ERA= 3.99.
Wheels kept the walks down, but got hit around pretty good.
Low A Augusta Greenjackets game was cancelled.
Short Season Salem-Keizer Volcanoes topped the Everett Aquasox 5-3:
Jesus Galindo(CF)- 4 for 5, 2B, SB(16). BA= .267.
Kaohi Downing(LF)- 2 for 4, HBP. BA= .341.
Brett Krill(RF)- 3 for 4. BA= .364.
Joe Staley(C)- 1 for 4, HR(5). BA= .247.
Lorenzo Mendoza(RHP)- 6 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 0 BB, 8 K's. ERA= 5.66.
Galindo is looking more and more like a keeper. Despite his relatively high ERA, Mendoza appears to be pitching well with 34 K's against just 5 BB's in 35 IP.
Rookie AZL D'Backs scored 11 runs in the first 2 innings then held off a late rally to edge the Giants 15-14:
Kelby Tomlinson(SS)- 3 for 6, 2B. BA= .316.
Jose Cuevas(3B)- 2 for 5, BB. BA= .299.
Leonardo Fuentes(RF)- 2 for 5, 2B. BA= .270.
Eldred Barnett(LF-CF)- 3 for 6. BA= .292.
Stephen Yarrow(DH)- 3 for 5. BA= .600.
Jean Delgado(2B)- 2 for 4, BB. BA= .333.
Christian Diaz(PH)- 1 for 1. BA= .500.
Obviously a great game to pad the stat lines. Especially love what the young kids are showing, Fuentes, Delgado and Diaz. Yarrow makes his pro debut after signing as a non-drafted free agent out of USF. He's listed as a 3'rd baseman.
DSL Phillies edged the Giants 5-4:
Nothing to see here.
Game Wrap 7/22/2011: BrewCrew 5 Giants 2
This was a downer of a game on many levels: Losing game 1 of a home series is always a downer. Matt Cain fell into some old bad habits early: Falling behind early. Too many foul- offs on 2- strike pitches leading to high pitch counts. Yeah, there was some bad luck involved, but Cain was frustrating to watch too. It's one thing to lose 1-0 to Clayton Kershaw. It's quite another to go down 3-1 to Shaun Marcum and realize the game is probably over. Finally, it's disheartening that in the very first game after Brian Sabean said the Giants would keep playing Brandon Belt as long as he keeps producing, Belt was on the bench and Huff was starting. It's one thing to sit Belt against Kershaw, quite another to sit him against Marcum who is the type of pitcher Belt is going to have to hit to stay in the big leagues. Key Lines:
Giants Offense-A leadoff double by Torres who scored on a SF by Sandoval, and a pinch-hit HR by Aaron Rowand who seems to hit just enough of those to keep you thinking he should stay around.
Matt Cain- 6 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 2 K's. ERA= 3.06. Cainer didn't seem to have the put- away pitch in this one, especially in the second inning.
Despite the loss, the Giants maintained their 4 game lead over the D'Backs in the NL West as the Snakes lost to the Rockies 8-4. The Rocks moved up to 9 games back in 3'rd place. The Padres lost 3-1 to the Phils and the Dodgers lost 7-2 to the Nats staying 13 and 13.5 games back respectively.
Ryan Vogelsong tries to keep the magic going against Randy Wolf this evening at 6:05. Wolf is a lrfthander which means Brandon Belt will probably not be in the lineup once again.
Giants Offense-A leadoff double by Torres who scored on a SF by Sandoval, and a pinch-hit HR by Aaron Rowand who seems to hit just enough of those to keep you thinking he should stay around.
Matt Cain- 6 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 2 K's. ERA= 3.06. Cainer didn't seem to have the put- away pitch in this one, especially in the second inning.
Despite the loss, the Giants maintained their 4 game lead over the D'Backs in the NL West as the Snakes lost to the Rockies 8-4. The Rocks moved up to 9 games back in 3'rd place. The Padres lost 3-1 to the Phils and the Dodgers lost 7-2 to the Nats staying 13 and 13.5 games back respectively.
Ryan Vogelsong tries to keep the magic going against Randy Wolf this evening at 6:05. Wolf is a lrfthander which means Brandon Belt will probably not be in the lineup once again.
Friday, July 22, 2011
Down on the Farm: 7/21/2011
AAA Reno Aces beat the Fresno Grizzlies 11-4:
Nick Noonan(SS)- 2 for 4. BA= .300.
Justin Christian(RF)- 1 for 4, SF, SB(12). BA= .299.
Noonan gets the call up to AAA despite struggling at the plate in AA. This may be more due to organizational need than a sign that Noonan is closer to the majors. It may also mean that the Brett PIll at 2B experiment is over since it moves EdGone to 2B and Pill back to 1B.
AA Richmond Flying Squirrels defeated the Harrisburg Senators 8-5:
Sharlon Schoop(SS)- 1 for 3, HR(1), BB. BA= .185.
Juan Perez(CF)- 2 for 3, 2 2B, BB. BA= .243.
Mitch Lively(RHP)- 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K's. ERA= 0.00.
Does Noonan's promo to AAA open the door for Sharlon Schoop to play SS again? This was Perez' 3'rd 2-hit game in a row. 4 of those 6 hit were doubles. Lively gets the promo from San Jose. I see him as an organizational pitcher at this point.
High A Bakersfield Blaze burned the San Jose Giants 5-1:
Honestly? Nothing to see here!
Low A Augusta Greenjackets dropped both ends of a twin bill to the Hagerstown Suns 4-2 and 3-0:
Nothing much to see here either!
Short Season Salem-Keizer Volcanoes topped the Everett Aquasox 7-4:
Jesus Galindo(DH)- 2 for 5, HR(2), SB(15). BA= .240.
Kaohi Downing(2B)- 2 for 5. BA= .333.
Garrett Buechele(3B)- 4 for 4, 2B, SB(1). BA= .268.
Dan Brock(1B)- 2 for 4, 2 3B. BA= .170.
Kendry Flores(RHP)- 5 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 5 K's. ERA= 4.60.
I like what I'm seeing from Galindo this year. He spent 2 years in the DSL, but skipped the AZL and is on the young side for this league at age 20. His line over the last 10 games is .293/.333/.463 with 2 HR's and 6 SB's.
Rookie AZL A's downed the Giants 4-0:
Edwin Escobar(LHP)- 5.1 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 5 K's. ERA= 3.38.
DSL Mets1 edged the Giants 3-2:
Adalberto Mejia(LHP)- 7 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 9 K's. ERA= 0.90.
Mejia's line for the last 2 games is 15 IP, 9 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 18 K's. Can't wait to see what he does next year in the States!
Nick Noonan(SS)- 2 for 4. BA= .300.
Justin Christian(RF)- 1 for 4, SF, SB(12). BA= .299.
Noonan gets the call up to AAA despite struggling at the plate in AA. This may be more due to organizational need than a sign that Noonan is closer to the majors. It may also mean that the Brett PIll at 2B experiment is over since it moves EdGone to 2B and Pill back to 1B.
AA Richmond Flying Squirrels defeated the Harrisburg Senators 8-5:
Sharlon Schoop(SS)- 1 for 3, HR(1), BB. BA= .185.
Juan Perez(CF)- 2 for 3, 2 2B, BB. BA= .243.
Mitch Lively(RHP)- 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K's. ERA= 0.00.
Does Noonan's promo to AAA open the door for Sharlon Schoop to play SS again? This was Perez' 3'rd 2-hit game in a row. 4 of those 6 hit were doubles. Lively gets the promo from San Jose. I see him as an organizational pitcher at this point.
High A Bakersfield Blaze burned the San Jose Giants 5-1:
Honestly? Nothing to see here!
Low A Augusta Greenjackets dropped both ends of a twin bill to the Hagerstown Suns 4-2 and 3-0:
Nothing much to see here either!
Short Season Salem-Keizer Volcanoes topped the Everett Aquasox 7-4:
Jesus Galindo(DH)- 2 for 5, HR(2), SB(15). BA= .240.
Kaohi Downing(2B)- 2 for 5. BA= .333.
Garrett Buechele(3B)- 4 for 4, 2B, SB(1). BA= .268.
Dan Brock(1B)- 2 for 4, 2 3B. BA= .170.
Kendry Flores(RHP)- 5 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 5 K's. ERA= 4.60.
I like what I'm seeing from Galindo this year. He spent 2 years in the DSL, but skipped the AZL and is on the young side for this league at age 20. His line over the last 10 games is .293/.333/.463 with 2 HR's and 6 SB's.
Rookie AZL A's downed the Giants 4-0:
Edwin Escobar(LHP)- 5.1 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 5 K's. ERA= 3.38.
DSL Mets1 edged the Giants 3-2:
Adalberto Mejia(LHP)- 7 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 9 K's. ERA= 0.90.
Mejia's line for the last 2 games is 15 IP, 9 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 18 K's. Can't wait to see what he does next year in the States!
Thursday, July 21, 2011
The Armchair GM: Scouting the Trade Deadline
As the Trade Deadline looms, and speculation starts to run wild, I thought it might be fun to let folks play GM and see if there are any fresh ideas out there. I'm not going to bore you with the details of what the Giants needs are. They've been discussed here and on other sights ad nauseum. Brian Sabean filled one huge need in the middle IF with the acquisition of Jeff Keppinger. From his statements, it seems highly likely that at least one more deal is coming. Here's a short list of the possibilities:
Carlos Beltran, OF, NY Mets: Beltran is a fine hitter who has been plagued by injuries over the last few seasons. The Mets will almost certainly trade him and several teams appear to be interested including the Philadelphia Phillies. Beltran is a FA at the end of the season. He has about $6 M left on his current contract. The Giants are rumored to be willing to take on his contract, but the Mets would rather pay the contract and take a top notch prospect or 2. Zack Wheeler and Gary Brown are names that have been mentioned in rumors. Jim Bowden says his sources tell him the Giants are willing to part with Wheeler but not Brown.
Hunter Pence, OF, Houston Astros: Pence is apparently available but would require a huge package in return, probably at least 3 of the Giants top prospects. Unlike Beltran, Pence has never been seriously injured and his contract is controlled through 2013, although he will be well paid through the leverage of the arbitration process.
Melky Cabrera, OF, KC Royals: Melky would probably not cost as much as either Beltran or Pence, but is he really an upgrade on Ross, Torres and Nate?
Ronnie Paulino, C, NY Mets: Paulino seems to be the only catcher upgrade who might be available. As OGC points out in his latest blog post, the Giants catching situation is not nearly as dire as it appeared to be after the Posey injury.
Michael Cuddyer, 2B/OF, Minnesota Twins: Apparently the "bigger" trade Sabes was working on was for Michael Cuddyer of the Twins with the idea he would play 2B for the Giants. When those talks seemed to hit a wall, and Miggy Tejada went down, Sabes went to his fallback which was Keppinger because he knew he could get that deal done immediately.
If you are sitting in Brian Sabean's office what moves would you make in the next 2 weeks? I'd like to hear your ideas. Are there any sleeper trades out there nobody is talking about? The Keppinger trade was certainly under the radar.
Carlos Beltran, OF, NY Mets: Beltran is a fine hitter who has been plagued by injuries over the last few seasons. The Mets will almost certainly trade him and several teams appear to be interested including the Philadelphia Phillies. Beltran is a FA at the end of the season. He has about $6 M left on his current contract. The Giants are rumored to be willing to take on his contract, but the Mets would rather pay the contract and take a top notch prospect or 2. Zack Wheeler and Gary Brown are names that have been mentioned in rumors. Jim Bowden says his sources tell him the Giants are willing to part with Wheeler but not Brown.
Hunter Pence, OF, Houston Astros: Pence is apparently available but would require a huge package in return, probably at least 3 of the Giants top prospects. Unlike Beltran, Pence has never been seriously injured and his contract is controlled through 2013, although he will be well paid through the leverage of the arbitration process.
Melky Cabrera, OF, KC Royals: Melky would probably not cost as much as either Beltran or Pence, but is he really an upgrade on Ross, Torres and Nate?
Ronnie Paulino, C, NY Mets: Paulino seems to be the only catcher upgrade who might be available. As OGC points out in his latest blog post, the Giants catching situation is not nearly as dire as it appeared to be after the Posey injury.
Michael Cuddyer, 2B/OF, Minnesota Twins: Apparently the "bigger" trade Sabes was working on was for Michael Cuddyer of the Twins with the idea he would play 2B for the Giants. When those talks seemed to hit a wall, and Miggy Tejada went down, Sabes went to his fallback which was Keppinger because he knew he could get that deal done immediately.
If you are sitting in Brian Sabean's office what moves would you make in the next 2 weeks? I'd like to hear your ideas. Are there any sleeper trades out there nobody is talking about? The Keppinger trade was certainly under the radar.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Down on the Farm: 7/20/2011
AAA Fresno Grizzlies outslugged the Reno Aces 13-8:
Justin Christian(RF)- 2 for 6, 2B. BA= .301.
Edgar Gonzalez(SS-2B)- 2 for 6, HR(9). BA= .316.
Brett Pill(2B-1B)- 4 for 6, HR(19). BA= .318.
Max Ramirez(C)- 2 for 3, HR(7), BB. BA= .280.
Mark DeRosa(3B)- 2 for 4. BA= .400.
Dan Otero(RHP)- 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's, Save(5). ERA= 2.08.
How long before we see DeRosa back in SF?
AA Richmond Flying Squirrels scored 5 runs in the 9'th inning to defeat the New Britain Rock Cats 7-5:
Charlie Culberson(2B)- 2 for 4, 2B, BB. BA= .274.
Roger Kieschnick(RF)- 2 for 4, 2B, BB, SB(11). BA= .267.
Chris Dominguez(3B)- 1 for 4, HR(3), BB. BA= .291.
Juan Perez(CF)- 2 for 4, 2B, SB(17). BA= .239.
Culby and Kieschnick make the highlights pretty consistently lately. Dominguez' shot came with a runner on base in the 9'th inning.
High A Bakersfield Blaze topped the San Jose Giants 8-4:
Gary Brown(CF)- 1 for 4, HR(8), BB. BA= .313.
Low A Augusta Greenjackets downed the Hagerstown Suns 5-2:
Carlos Willoughby(2B)- 2 for 5, SB(28). BA= .270.
Chris Lofton(CF)- 2 for 5, 2 SB(17). BA= .258.
Ryan Scoma(DH)-3 for 4, 3B. BA= .250.
Willoughby hitting .366 over his last 10 games and .317 in July.
Short Season Salem-Keizer Volcanoes edged the Everett Aquasox 2-1:
Reiner Roibal(RHP)- 5.1 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 4 BB, 6 K's. ERA= 3.90.
Rookie Arizona Giants pounded the Rangers 13-5:
Eldred Barnett(CF)- 4 for 6, 2 2B, SB(2). BA= .271.
Jose Cuevas(3B)- 3 for 5, 2B, HR(6). BA= .310.
Eric Sim(C)- 3 for 4, 2B, HR(2), BB. BA= .297.
Jean Delgado(2B)- 2 for 4, 2B, SF. BA= .294.
Kyle Crick(RHP)- 1.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K's. ERA= 0.00.
Cuevas is on fire. Good to see the kid Delgado playing well out of the box. Kyle Crick, the Giants supplemental first round draft pick makes a successful pro debut!
DSL Giants topped the Yankees1 11-10 in 13 innings:
Alexis Almeida(1B, 18 yo)- 3 for 5. BA= .221.
Randy Ortiz(CF, 18 yo)- 2 for 5, BB, 2 SB(14). BA= .313.
Randy Ortiz is looking like somebody we'll see in Arizona next year.
Justin Christian(RF)- 2 for 6, 2B. BA= .301.
Edgar Gonzalez(SS-2B)- 2 for 6, HR(9). BA= .316.
Brett Pill(2B-1B)- 4 for 6, HR(19). BA= .318.
Max Ramirez(C)- 2 for 3, HR(7), BB. BA= .280.
Mark DeRosa(3B)- 2 for 4. BA= .400.
Dan Otero(RHP)- 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's, Save(5). ERA= 2.08.
How long before we see DeRosa back in SF?
AA Richmond Flying Squirrels scored 5 runs in the 9'th inning to defeat the New Britain Rock Cats 7-5:
Charlie Culberson(2B)- 2 for 4, 2B, BB. BA= .274.
Roger Kieschnick(RF)- 2 for 4, 2B, BB, SB(11). BA= .267.
Chris Dominguez(3B)- 1 for 4, HR(3), BB. BA= .291.
Juan Perez(CF)- 2 for 4, 2B, SB(17). BA= .239.
Culby and Kieschnick make the highlights pretty consistently lately. Dominguez' shot came with a runner on base in the 9'th inning.
High A Bakersfield Blaze topped the San Jose Giants 8-4:
Gary Brown(CF)- 1 for 4, HR(8), BB. BA= .313.
Low A Augusta Greenjackets downed the Hagerstown Suns 5-2:
Carlos Willoughby(2B)- 2 for 5, SB(28). BA= .270.
Chris Lofton(CF)- 2 for 5, 2 SB(17). BA= .258.
Ryan Scoma(DH)-3 for 4, 3B. BA= .250.
Willoughby hitting .366 over his last 10 games and .317 in July.
Short Season Salem-Keizer Volcanoes edged the Everett Aquasox 2-1:
Reiner Roibal(RHP)- 5.1 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 4 BB, 6 K's. ERA= 3.90.
Rookie Arizona Giants pounded the Rangers 13-5:
Eldred Barnett(CF)- 4 for 6, 2 2B, SB(2). BA= .271.
Jose Cuevas(3B)- 3 for 5, 2B, HR(6). BA= .310.
Eric Sim(C)- 3 for 4, 2B, HR(2), BB. BA= .297.
Jean Delgado(2B)- 2 for 4, 2B, SF. BA= .294.
Kyle Crick(RHP)- 1.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K's. ERA= 0.00.
Cuevas is on fire. Good to see the kid Delgado playing well out of the box. Kyle Crick, the Giants supplemental first round draft pick makes a successful pro debut!
DSL Giants topped the Yankees1 11-10 in 13 innings:
Alexis Almeida(1B, 18 yo)- 3 for 5. BA= .221.
Randy Ortiz(CF, 18 yo)- 2 for 5, BB, 2 SB(14). BA= .313.
Randy Ortiz is looking like somebody we'll see in Arizona next year.
Game Wrap 7/20/2011: Dodgers 1 Giants 0
This was a classic pitching duel between two of the best pitchers in all of baseball, possibly in baseball history, time will tell. Today, Clayton Kershaw was a little better than Tim Lincecum. All you can do is tip your hat and move on to the next game. Key Lines:
Tim Lincecum- 7 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 4 BB, 7 K's. ERA- 2.90. The first thing you notice about the line is the 4 walks. Interestingly they did not play a role in the outcome of the game. Backup catcher Dioner Navarro was playing to give the Dodgers an exra LH bat against Timmy. He's a lifetime .245 hitter and is hitting just .100 this year, but he's hitting .310 over his last 10 games. He managed to sneak one just inside the foul pole down the RF line and into McCovey Cove in the 7'th.... Ballgame.
Clayton Kershaw(Dodgers)- 8 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 12 K's. ERA= 2.72. Kershaw is one of the elite pitchers in baseball at this point. Against a weak hitting team like the Giants, he's gonna cruise. The Giants obviously did not have their best lineup out there either, what with Pablo hurt and Keppinger not in town yet. Too bad Kershaw pitches better than he can grow a beard.
While the Giants lead is not insurmountable, they are blessed with a bit of a cushion to take a loss like this in stride. Thinking back to last year, there were many times when one more loss like this might have been the end of their season. As it is, they won the series and now move onto another 3 gamer against the BrewCrew after a day off tomorrow. The D'Backs are tied with the BrewCrew late in their game. The Giants will either maintain a 4.5 game lead in the NL West or slip to a 3.5 game lead.
The Giants will skip Barry Zito's start and go to Matt Cain facing Shaun Marcum in the Friday night series opener.
Tim Lincecum- 7 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 4 BB, 7 K's. ERA- 2.90. The first thing you notice about the line is the 4 walks. Interestingly they did not play a role in the outcome of the game. Backup catcher Dioner Navarro was playing to give the Dodgers an exra LH bat against Timmy. He's a lifetime .245 hitter and is hitting just .100 this year, but he's hitting .310 over his last 10 games. He managed to sneak one just inside the foul pole down the RF line and into McCovey Cove in the 7'th.... Ballgame.
Clayton Kershaw(Dodgers)- 8 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 12 K's. ERA= 2.72. Kershaw is one of the elite pitchers in baseball at this point. Against a weak hitting team like the Giants, he's gonna cruise. The Giants obviously did not have their best lineup out there either, what with Pablo hurt and Keppinger not in town yet. Too bad Kershaw pitches better than he can grow a beard.
While the Giants lead is not insurmountable, they are blessed with a bit of a cushion to take a loss like this in stride. Thinking back to last year, there were many times when one more loss like this might have been the end of their season. As it is, they won the series and now move onto another 3 gamer against the BrewCrew after a day off tomorrow. The D'Backs are tied with the BrewCrew late in their game. The Giants will either maintain a 4.5 game lead in the NL West or slip to a 3.5 game lead.
The Giants will skip Barry Zito's start and go to Matt Cain facing Shaun Marcum in the Friday night series opener.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Down on the Farm: 7/19/2011
AAA Reno Aces crushed the Fresno Grizzlies 16-4:
Justin Christian(LF)- 2 for 4, BB. BA= .299.
Edgar Gonzalez(3B-SS)- 3 for 5, 2B, HR(8). BA= .316.
Mark DeRosa(2B)- 1 for 3. BA= .364.
EdGone seems to be a forgotten man, but has had a fine season for Fresno with terrific versatility. DeRosa continues his rehab attempt. I don't think the Giants are in any hurry to bring him back, but it could get interesting if he does prove to be healthy now that they have traded for Keppinger. I suppose Burriss would be the odd man out, but he's finally learning to use his speed as a weapon.
AA Richmond Flying Squirrels defeated the New Britain Rock Cats 7-5:
Charlie Culberson(2B)- 3 for 5, 3 2B. BA= .272.
Wilmin Rodriguez(LHP)- 5 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K's. ERA= 2.83.
Heath Hembree(RHP)- 1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's, Save(7). ERA= 3.00.
After a rough month of June, Culby is hitting .333 in July. Is WilRod converting to starter?
High A Cal League was idle.
Low A SAL was idle.
Short Season Salem-Keizer Volcanoes edged the Everett Aquasox 4-3:
Leonardo Ochoa(LF)- 2 for 4, 2B. BA= .282.
Joe Panik(SS)- 2 for 4. BA= .357.
Mike Murray(DH)- 3 for 3, 2B, BB. BA= .419.
Brandon Allen(RHP)- 6 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 0 BB, 2 K's. ERA= 6.03.
Matt Graham(RHP)- 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K. ERA= 11.30.
Phil McCormick(LHP)- 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, Save(2). ERA= 0.59.
Ochoa bats leadoff. A QS for Allen and a successful outing for Graham. Baby steps!
Rookie AZL Giants were idle.
DSL Giants blanked the Marlins 5-0:
Emmanuel De Jesus(LHP, 17 yo)- 5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 4 BB, 7 K's ERA= 3.32.
De Jesus has made 3 starts in which his cumulative line is 1-0, 17 IP, 5 BB, 26 K's. He pitched a 1 inning relief stint between his last two starts. Looks like the GIants may have another gem coming along from the DSL, Mejia being the other.
Justin Christian(LF)- 2 for 4, BB. BA= .299.
Edgar Gonzalez(3B-SS)- 3 for 5, 2B, HR(8). BA= .316.
Mark DeRosa(2B)- 1 for 3. BA= .364.
EdGone seems to be a forgotten man, but has had a fine season for Fresno with terrific versatility. DeRosa continues his rehab attempt. I don't think the Giants are in any hurry to bring him back, but it could get interesting if he does prove to be healthy now that they have traded for Keppinger. I suppose Burriss would be the odd man out, but he's finally learning to use his speed as a weapon.
AA Richmond Flying Squirrels defeated the New Britain Rock Cats 7-5:
Charlie Culberson(2B)- 3 for 5, 3 2B. BA= .272.
Wilmin Rodriguez(LHP)- 5 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K's. ERA= 2.83.
Heath Hembree(RHP)- 1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's, Save(7). ERA= 3.00.
After a rough month of June, Culby is hitting .333 in July. Is WilRod converting to starter?
High A Cal League was idle.
Low A SAL was idle.
Short Season Salem-Keizer Volcanoes edged the Everett Aquasox 4-3:
Leonardo Ochoa(LF)- 2 for 4, 2B. BA= .282.
Joe Panik(SS)- 2 for 4. BA= .357.
Mike Murray(DH)- 3 for 3, 2B, BB. BA= .419.
Brandon Allen(RHP)- 6 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 0 BB, 2 K's. ERA= 6.03.
Matt Graham(RHP)- 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K. ERA= 11.30.
Phil McCormick(LHP)- 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, Save(2). ERA= 0.59.
Ochoa bats leadoff. A QS for Allen and a successful outing for Graham. Baby steps!
Rookie AZL Giants were idle.
DSL Giants blanked the Marlins 5-0:
Emmanuel De Jesus(LHP, 17 yo)- 5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 4 BB, 7 K's ERA= 3.32.
De Jesus has made 3 starts in which his cumulative line is 1-0, 17 IP, 5 BB, 26 K's. He pitched a 1 inning relief stint between his last two starts. Looks like the GIants may have another gem coming along from the DSL, Mejia being the other.
Game Wrap 7/19/2011: Giants 5 Dodgers 3
The Giants reaped immediate dividends from their decision to recall Brandon Belt from the minors as he drove in 3 of their 5 runs in the game. Key Lines:
Andres Torres- 2 for 4, 2B. BA= .239. Torres is hitting .314 over his last 10 games.
Mike Fontenot- 2 for 4, S. BA= .242. Fonty is hitting .289 over his last 10 games.
Pablo Sandoval- 2 for 3, BB. BA= .315. Stay hot Pablo!
Brandon Belt- 2 for 4, 2B, HR(2). BA= .230. The big story of the night. Belt takes over for Huff who sat out with an aching back and makes an immediate impact. No lack of aggressiveness tonight. Belt dropped the bat head on a down and in pitch from Rubby De La Rosa and stroked it into the RF pavilion seats down the line. Later he went the other way on down and away fastball and sliced it down the LF line for a 2 run double.
Brandon Crawford- 1 for 2, 2 BB. BA= .201. Nice game from Crawford who again brought his stellar D to the game.
Madison Bumgarner- 8 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 0 BB, 7 K's. ERA= 3.72. Bumgarner allowed 4 hits and 3 runs in all in the 3'rd inning surrounded by 7 perfect innings. The leadoff batter of the inning, James Loney took an off balance swing at a pitch up around his eyes and kind of tomahawked it over Cody Ross' head for a double. I think that rattled Bum just a bit. 3 singles later, a great defensive play by Nate, Crawford and Belt helped him get is mojo back and he was perfect the rest of the way. Juan Rivera had hit a soft single to RF with a runner on first. I think Rivera was expecting Nate to try for the lead runner at 3B. Instead, Crawford cut off the throw and fired a strike to Belt who put a nice tag on Rivera trying to slide back to first base.
Brian Wilson- 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K's, Save(29). ERA= 2.96. Wilson gave up 4 hard hit balls, but 3 of them were right at fielders. Sometimes it's better to be lucky than good, not that Wilson isn't good....
With the Win, the Giants stretched their lead in the NL West back to 4.5 games over the D'Backs who lost to the BrewCrew 11-3. The Rockies pounded ATL 12-3 to stay 10.5 games back in 3'rd place. The Dodgers slipped into a last place tie with the Padres, who blanked the Marlins 4-0, 14.5 games behind the Giants.
Tim LIncecum tries for the sweep tomorrow against Clayton Kershaw, a matchup that had Ol' Vinnie reminiscing about Koufax and Marichal.
A few fun facts I picked up from Vin Scully tonight:
The Giants lead the league in advancing baserunners. I hope that puts to rest the notion that their problem is lack a "situational" hitting. Let's all say it together, "The Giants offensive problems have been a lack of baserunners and a lack of power, not a lack of "situational" hitting!
The Giants are 16-0 in games they have scored at least 5 runs(is that right? Unbelieveable if true.)
The Giants have beaten the Dodgers 6 games in a row. The last time they did that was in 1969.
Andres Torres- 2 for 4, 2B. BA= .239. Torres is hitting .314 over his last 10 games.
Mike Fontenot- 2 for 4, S. BA= .242. Fonty is hitting .289 over his last 10 games.
Pablo Sandoval- 2 for 3, BB. BA= .315. Stay hot Pablo!
Brandon Belt- 2 for 4, 2B, HR(2). BA= .230. The big story of the night. Belt takes over for Huff who sat out with an aching back and makes an immediate impact. No lack of aggressiveness tonight. Belt dropped the bat head on a down and in pitch from Rubby De La Rosa and stroked it into the RF pavilion seats down the line. Later he went the other way on down and away fastball and sliced it down the LF line for a 2 run double.
Brandon Crawford- 1 for 2, 2 BB. BA= .201. Nice game from Crawford who again brought his stellar D to the game.
Madison Bumgarner- 8 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 0 BB, 7 K's. ERA= 3.72. Bumgarner allowed 4 hits and 3 runs in all in the 3'rd inning surrounded by 7 perfect innings. The leadoff batter of the inning, James Loney took an off balance swing at a pitch up around his eyes and kind of tomahawked it over Cody Ross' head for a double. I think that rattled Bum just a bit. 3 singles later, a great defensive play by Nate, Crawford and Belt helped him get is mojo back and he was perfect the rest of the way. Juan Rivera had hit a soft single to RF with a runner on first. I think Rivera was expecting Nate to try for the lead runner at 3B. Instead, Crawford cut off the throw and fired a strike to Belt who put a nice tag on Rivera trying to slide back to first base.
Brian Wilson- 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K's, Save(29). ERA= 2.96. Wilson gave up 4 hard hit balls, but 3 of them were right at fielders. Sometimes it's better to be lucky than good, not that Wilson isn't good....
With the Win, the Giants stretched their lead in the NL West back to 4.5 games over the D'Backs who lost to the BrewCrew 11-3. The Rockies pounded ATL 12-3 to stay 10.5 games back in 3'rd place. The Dodgers slipped into a last place tie with the Padres, who blanked the Marlins 4-0, 14.5 games behind the Giants.
Tim LIncecum tries for the sweep tomorrow against Clayton Kershaw, a matchup that had Ol' Vinnie reminiscing about Koufax and Marichal.
A few fun facts I picked up from Vin Scully tonight:
The Giants lead the league in advancing baserunners. I hope that puts to rest the notion that their problem is lack a "situational" hitting. Let's all say it together, "The Giants offensive problems have been a lack of baserunners and a lack of power, not a lack of "situational" hitting!
The Giants are 16-0 in games they have scored at least 5 runs(is that right? Unbelieveable if true.)
The Giants have beaten the Dodgers 6 games in a row. The last time they did that was in 1969.
Breaking News!: Giants Acquire Jeff Keppinger; Recall Brandon Belt
Apparently the Tejada injury last night forced Brian Sabean's hand. He pulled the trigger on a deal today to bring the versatile Jeff Keppinger from the Houston Astros for minor leaguers Henry Sosa and Jason Stoffel. I really like this deal, maybe more than a blockbuster for Beltran or Hunter Pence.
Keppinger has played for several teams. I've been aware of him playing for the Cincinnati Reds and the 'Stros. I've always liked him. He can play any infield position including shortstop. He is a good hitter, albeit one with little power and he does not take many walks. He'll hit .290-.310 with a OBP of .320-.340 and a SLG% of .380-.400. In other words, he'll give you what Freddy Sanchez gives you at the plate. In this Giants lineup with this Giants pitching staff, that is actually huge. Think of how many times the Giants have failed to cash in on scoring opportunities when a single up the middle would have driven in a run or even two. He'll be the regular second baseman starting tomorrow. He could slide over to shortstop if Crawford continues to struggle at the plate and/or if Freddy comes back for the stretch run. He's arbitration eligible for next year.
As for Sosa and Stoffel. I don't mind giving them up at all for the kind of value Keppinger gives the Giants. Sosa has pitched better since being taken off the 40 man roster and his demotion to AA, but his career has been pretty much stalled for some time. Stoffel could eventually develop into a closer but has a long ways to go and has been passed by Heath Hembree on the Closer fast track.
The Giants also recalled Brandon Belt from AAA Fresno where he was still being Brandon Belt. Huff has shown no signs of turning it around and now admits his back has been bothering him. Time it give Belt another chance. I have to admit I have my doubts that he has overcome the lack of aggressiveness that held him back the first time around. In fact, it looks to me like he may have even regressed some more in that regard since coming back from the broken hand. It will be interesting to see how the Second Greek God of Walks fares with his super selective approach at the plate.
Lineup:
Torres
Keppinger
Pablo
Nate
Ross
Belt
Whiteside
Crawford
Hey, #2-6 might do some damage!
Keppinger has played for several teams. I've been aware of him playing for the Cincinnati Reds and the 'Stros. I've always liked him. He can play any infield position including shortstop. He is a good hitter, albeit one with little power and he does not take many walks. He'll hit .290-.310 with a OBP of .320-.340 and a SLG% of .380-.400. In other words, he'll give you what Freddy Sanchez gives you at the plate. In this Giants lineup with this Giants pitching staff, that is actually huge. Think of how many times the Giants have failed to cash in on scoring opportunities when a single up the middle would have driven in a run or even two. He'll be the regular second baseman starting tomorrow. He could slide over to shortstop if Crawford continues to struggle at the plate and/or if Freddy comes back for the stretch run. He's arbitration eligible for next year.
As for Sosa and Stoffel. I don't mind giving them up at all for the kind of value Keppinger gives the Giants. Sosa has pitched better since being taken off the 40 man roster and his demotion to AA, but his career has been pretty much stalled for some time. Stoffel could eventually develop into a closer but has a long ways to go and has been passed by Heath Hembree on the Closer fast track.
The Giants also recalled Brandon Belt from AAA Fresno where he was still being Brandon Belt. Huff has shown no signs of turning it around and now admits his back has been bothering him. Time it give Belt another chance. I have to admit I have my doubts that he has overcome the lack of aggressiveness that held him back the first time around. In fact, it looks to me like he may have even regressed some more in that regard since coming back from the broken hand. It will be interesting to see how the Second Greek God of Walks fares with his super selective approach at the plate.
Lineup:
Torres
Keppinger
Pablo
Nate
Ross
Belt
Whiteside
Crawford
Hey, #2-6 might do some damage!
Down on the Farm: 7/18/2011
Abbreviated version today due to time constraints.
AAA Reno Aces defeated the Fresno Grizzlies 10-5:
Gonzalez and Pill had 2 hits each. Max Ramirez had 3 hits with a double for the only XBH of the game for the Grizzlies. Chuck Lofgren got his first AAA start and got knocked around allowing 5 runs on 5 hits and 6 BB's.
AA New Britain Rock Cats beat the Richmond Flying Squirrels 11-6:
Culby, Kieschnick, Hodges and Monell all had 2 hits. Monell is hitting .444 over his last 10 games and has his BA up to .260. Surkamp was on the mound and got tagged a bit allowing 5 runs and 4 ER in 4.2 IP.
High A Inland Empire 66'ers downed the San Jose Giants 6-4 in 12 innings:
Gary Brown(CF)- 2 for 5, BB, SB(39). BA= .313.
Tommy Joseph(DH)- 3 for 6. BA= .251.
Ryan Cavan(2B)- 2 for 5, HR(7), BB. BA= .265.
Low A Augusta topped the Savannah Sand Gnats 5-3:
Carlos Willoughby(2B)- 3 for 4. BA= .268.
Chris Lofton(CF)- 1 for 3, 2B, BB, 2 SB(15). BA= .255.
Mike Kickham(LHP)- 6 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 1 BB, 4 K's. ERA= 4.71.
Willoughby is hitting .410 over his last 10 games.
Short Season Salem-Keizer Volcanoes defeated the Everett Aqusox 9-4:
Brett Krill(RF)- 2 for 3, 2B, BB. BA= .364.
Brice Cutspec(1B)- 2 for 3, 2B, BB. BA= .263.
Chuckie Jones(LF)- 1 for 2, BB, SF. BA= .226.
Cam Lamb(RHP)- 5 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 4 K's. ERA= 3.93.
Rookie AZL A's pounded the Giants 12-3 in Game 1 of a DH:
Jose Cuevas(3B)- 2 for 4, 3B, HR(3). BA= .214.
Major Blair(RF)- 2 for 3, 2B, BB, SB(2). BA= .316.
Sundrendy Windster(RHP)- 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 3 K's. ERA= 4.50.
Giants blanked the A's 5-0 in Game 2:
Leonardo Fuentes(RF)- 2 for 3, 2B. BA= .263.
Jose De La Cruz(LF)- 2 for 3, SB(2). BA= .316
Jean Delgado(2B)- 1 for 2, HR(1), BB. BA= .231.
Joan Gregorio(RHP)- 5 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K's. ERA= 2.05.
Delgado was the first of the Puerto Rican youngsters drafted this year. Excited for the futures of Fuentes and Gregorio.
DSL Nats edged the Giants in 11 innings 7-6:
Randy Ortiz(CF, 18 yo)- 3 for 5, 3B. BA= .308.
AAA Reno Aces defeated the Fresno Grizzlies 10-5:
Gonzalez and Pill had 2 hits each. Max Ramirez had 3 hits with a double for the only XBH of the game for the Grizzlies. Chuck Lofgren got his first AAA start and got knocked around allowing 5 runs on 5 hits and 6 BB's.
AA New Britain Rock Cats beat the Richmond Flying Squirrels 11-6:
Culby, Kieschnick, Hodges and Monell all had 2 hits. Monell is hitting .444 over his last 10 games and has his BA up to .260. Surkamp was on the mound and got tagged a bit allowing 5 runs and 4 ER in 4.2 IP.
High A Inland Empire 66'ers downed the San Jose Giants 6-4 in 12 innings:
Gary Brown(CF)- 2 for 5, BB, SB(39). BA= .313.
Tommy Joseph(DH)- 3 for 6. BA= .251.
Ryan Cavan(2B)- 2 for 5, HR(7), BB. BA= .265.
Low A Augusta topped the Savannah Sand Gnats 5-3:
Carlos Willoughby(2B)- 3 for 4. BA= .268.
Chris Lofton(CF)- 1 for 3, 2B, BB, 2 SB(15). BA= .255.
Mike Kickham(LHP)- 6 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 1 BB, 4 K's. ERA= 4.71.
Willoughby is hitting .410 over his last 10 games.
Short Season Salem-Keizer Volcanoes defeated the Everett Aqusox 9-4:
Brett Krill(RF)- 2 for 3, 2B, BB. BA= .364.
Brice Cutspec(1B)- 2 for 3, 2B, BB. BA= .263.
Chuckie Jones(LF)- 1 for 2, BB, SF. BA= .226.
Cam Lamb(RHP)- 5 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 4 K's. ERA= 3.93.
Rookie AZL A's pounded the Giants 12-3 in Game 1 of a DH:
Jose Cuevas(3B)- 2 for 4, 3B, HR(3). BA= .214.
Major Blair(RF)- 2 for 3, 2B, BB, SB(2). BA= .316.
Sundrendy Windster(RHP)- 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 3 K's. ERA= 4.50.
Giants blanked the A's 5-0 in Game 2:
Leonardo Fuentes(RF)- 2 for 3, 2B. BA= .263.
Jose De La Cruz(LF)- 2 for 3, SB(2). BA= .316
Jean Delgado(2B)- 1 for 2, HR(1), BB. BA= .231.
Joan Gregorio(RHP)- 5 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K's. ERA= 2.05.
Delgado was the first of the Puerto Rican youngsters drafted this year. Excited for the futures of Fuentes and Gregorio.
DSL Nats edged the Giants in 11 innings 7-6:
Randy Ortiz(CF, 18 yo)- 3 for 5, 3B. BA= .308.
Monday, July 18, 2011
Game Wrap 7/18/2011: Giants 5 Dodgers 0
On the pregame show of the Dodgers' TV broadcast, Steve Lyons and the bozo broadcast partner proclaimed that the Dodgers had the advantage in the series because of the pitching matchups. Well, Ryan Vogelsong, the man who didn't want to be a Dodger, had something to say about that with yet another sensational start to shut out the Dodger for 6.2 IP. The bullpen made the whitewashing stand up. The 8'th inning was especially fun to watch as Jeremy Affedt absolutely abused Andre Ethier and the Ramon Ramirez came in and duplicated that feat facing Matt Kemp. I think the Dodgers knew they were beaten after that. Oh, great to see Joe Montana and the wife out at the game. Not sure what he was hollering at Matt Kemp, who was in the on-deck circle, but I hope it was some good trash talk. Key Lines:
Pablo Sandoval- 3 for 4, HR(9). BA= .310. Vin Scully commented on Sandoval singling to left and hitting the HR to RF saying "That shows he's a good hitter." Uh Vinnie, thanks for letting us all in on that one! You know what, Vinnie? He's a pretty good fielder too. Pablo was a vacuum at 3B tonight fielding one hot groundball after another and turning them into easy outs.
Nate Schierholtz- 2 for 4, 2B. BA= .291. Another productive game for Nate at the Plate.
Cody Ross- 2 for 4, 2B. BA= .268. Ross drove the stake throught Billingsley's heart with a 2 run double up the gap in right-center splitting the OF's right down the middle. Maybe Huffy and he should switch places in the lineup? The L-R-L of Nate, Ross and Huff works too.
Ryan Vogelsong- 6.2 IP, 7 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K's. ERA= 2.02. Had to be a huge thrill for the guy who dreamed of being a Giant and who didn't want to be a Dodger to take on the rivals his home park. He was going up against a pretty good pitcher in Billingsley too. Vogey came out on fire retiring the first 8 batters he faces and should have had Billingsley struck out on a 2-2 pitch that the ump somehow thought was a ball. He took it into the 7'th before running out of gas and allowing 2 baserunners with 2 outs. Affeldt added to the drama with a walk to load the bases but then got the 3'rd out on a GB to Sandoval. Affeldt came back out to abuse Ethier in the 8'th before turning it over to Ramirez to finish out the blanking of the Dodgers.
Miguel Tejada left the game early with a lower abdominal strain that looked pretty bad. I'm guessing he's hitting the DL. Time for Crawford to step it up.
With the Win, the Giants maintained their 3.5 game NL West lead on the Dangerous D'Backs who topped the BrewCrew 3-0 behind Tomahawk Boy. The Reeling Rockies slipped to 10.5 games out with a 7-4 loss to ATL. The Dodgers fell back to 13.5 back and the idle Padres slipped another 0.5 games down to 14.5 games behind the leaders.
Madison Bumgarner takes the mound tomorrow night against fireballer Rubby De La Rosa. I wonder if Steve Lyons still thinks the Dodgers have the advantage in pitching matchups?
Pablo Sandoval- 3 for 4, HR(9). BA= .310. Vin Scully commented on Sandoval singling to left and hitting the HR to RF saying "That shows he's a good hitter." Uh Vinnie, thanks for letting us all in on that one! You know what, Vinnie? He's a pretty good fielder too. Pablo was a vacuum at 3B tonight fielding one hot groundball after another and turning them into easy outs.
Nate Schierholtz- 2 for 4, 2B. BA= .291. Another productive game for Nate at the Plate.
Cody Ross- 2 for 4, 2B. BA= .268. Ross drove the stake throught Billingsley's heart with a 2 run double up the gap in right-center splitting the OF's right down the middle. Maybe Huffy and he should switch places in the lineup? The L-R-L of Nate, Ross and Huff works too.
Ryan Vogelsong- 6.2 IP, 7 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K's. ERA= 2.02. Had to be a huge thrill for the guy who dreamed of being a Giant and who didn't want to be a Dodger to take on the rivals his home park. He was going up against a pretty good pitcher in Billingsley too. Vogey came out on fire retiring the first 8 batters he faces and should have had Billingsley struck out on a 2-2 pitch that the ump somehow thought was a ball. He took it into the 7'th before running out of gas and allowing 2 baserunners with 2 outs. Affeldt added to the drama with a walk to load the bases but then got the 3'rd out on a GB to Sandoval. Affeldt came back out to abuse Ethier in the 8'th before turning it over to Ramirez to finish out the blanking of the Dodgers.
Miguel Tejada left the game early with a lower abdominal strain that looked pretty bad. I'm guessing he's hitting the DL. Time for Crawford to step it up.
With the Win, the Giants maintained their 3.5 game NL West lead on the Dangerous D'Backs who topped the BrewCrew 3-0 behind Tomahawk Boy. The Reeling Rockies slipped to 10.5 games out with a 7-4 loss to ATL. The Dodgers fell back to 13.5 back and the idle Padres slipped another 0.5 games down to 14.5 games behind the leaders.
Madison Bumgarner takes the mound tomorrow night against fireballer Rubby De La Rosa. I wonder if Steve Lyons still thinks the Dodgers have the advantage in pitching matchups?
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Down on the Farm: 7/17/2011
AAA Sacramento River Cats edged the Fresno Grizzlies 8-7:
Edgar Gonzalez(SS-2B)- 3 for 5. BA= .310.
Brandon Belt(RF)- 0 for 3, 2 BB. BA= .333.
Brett Pill(2B-1B)- 2 for 4, HR(18). BA= .311.
Max Ramirez(DH)- 2 for 4, 2B. BA= .270.
Dan Runzler(LHP)- 2.2 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 3 K's. ERA= 4.62.
Justin Christian and Tyler Graham also had 2 hits each with Graham getting his 45'th SB. I'm really starting to wonder if Belt's selectivity is a good thing. Seems like MLB pitchers find a way to take advantage of that like they did the first time around.
AA Bowie Baysox defeated the Richmond Flying Squirrels 6-1:
Charlie Culberson(2B)- 2 for 4. BA= .266.
Roger Kieschnick(RF)- 1 for 4, HR(11). BA= .263
Francisco Peguero(DH)- 2 for 4. BA= .313.
Johnny Monell(C)- 2 for 3, 2B. BA= .257.
High A Inland Empire 66'ers topped the San Jose Giants 11-9:
Gary Brown(CF)- 0 for 4, HBP, SB(38). BA= .312.
Ehire Adrianza(SS)- 3 for 5, 2B. BA= .318.
Mark DeRosa(2B)- 1 for 3. BA= .400.
Alex Burg(DH)- 2 for 5, 2 2B. BA= .361.
Luke Anders(1B)- 2 for 4, 2B. BA= .250.
Nick Liles(LF)- 2 for 4, 2B. BA= .327.
Jonathan Sanchez(LHP)- 2.2 IP, 6 H, 6 R, 2 BB, 3 K's. ERA= 20.25.
Michael Main(RHP)- 3.1 IP, 9 H, 5 R, 0 BB,0 K's. ERA= 3.81.
Gotta be mildly concerned about Brown either wearing down or the league figuring something out about him. Too soon to panic on Sanchez but....That's not good!
Low A Augusta Greenjackets pounded the Savannah Sand Gnats 9-2:
Carlos Willoughby(2B)- 2 for 5, 3B. BA= .262.
Adam Duvall(3B)- 3 for 4, HR(20), BB. BA= .293.
Rafael Rodriguez(LF)- 2 for 4, 2B. BA= .242.
Chris Lofton(CF)- 1 for 3, BB, SF. BA= .254.
Taylor Rogers(RHP)- 8.1 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 3 BB, 3 K's. ERA= 2.69.
Duvall leads the organization in HR's. He has raised his BA impressively of late.
Short Season Salem Keizer Volcanoes erupted for a 16-5 win over the Yakima Bears:
Shawn Payne(CF)- 2 for 5, BB. BA= .270.
Kaohi Downing(2B)- 3 for 5, 2B, HR(1), BB. BA= .352.
Joe Panik(SS)- 4 for 5, 2B. BA= .355.
Brett Krill(RF)- 5 for 6, 2 2B. BA= .349.
Leonardo Ochoa(LF)- 2 for 4, 2B, BB. BA= .257.
Stephen Shackleford(RHP)- 3.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K's. ERA= 3.71.
Great game for padding the stat lines but most of these players are for real, IMO. Look forward to seeing Panik, Krill and Downing in San Jose next year.
Rookie AZL Giants out hit the Athletics 11-7:
Kelby Tomlinson(SS-3B)- 2 for 5, 2B. BA= .333.
Brian Nicholson(DH)- 2 for 4, 2B. BA= .356.
Mike Merganthaler(LF)- 2 for 3, BB. BA= .242.
Christian Paulino(2B)- 1 for 3, BB, SB(4). BA= .300.
Clayton Blackburn(RHP)- 3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K's. ERA= 0.00.
The big news here is the kid Blackburn. 18 yo. Big kid, 6'3", 220 lbs in the mold of Matt Cain. Drafted in the 16'th round out of Oklahoma HS. Small sample size, but what a sample! 6.2 IP, 0 BB, 9 K's with GO/AO= 2.67. This was his longest stint so far and he dominated for 3 innings. Will he turn out to be the steal of the draft?
DSL Giants were idle as usual on Sundays.
Edgar Gonzalez(SS-2B)- 3 for 5. BA= .310.
Brandon Belt(RF)- 0 for 3, 2 BB. BA= .333.
Brett Pill(2B-1B)- 2 for 4, HR(18). BA= .311.
Max Ramirez(DH)- 2 for 4, 2B. BA= .270.
Dan Runzler(LHP)- 2.2 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 3 K's. ERA= 4.62.
Justin Christian and Tyler Graham also had 2 hits each with Graham getting his 45'th SB. I'm really starting to wonder if Belt's selectivity is a good thing. Seems like MLB pitchers find a way to take advantage of that like they did the first time around.
AA Bowie Baysox defeated the Richmond Flying Squirrels 6-1:
Charlie Culberson(2B)- 2 for 4. BA= .266.
Roger Kieschnick(RF)- 1 for 4, HR(11). BA= .263
Francisco Peguero(DH)- 2 for 4. BA= .313.
Johnny Monell(C)- 2 for 3, 2B. BA= .257.
High A Inland Empire 66'ers topped the San Jose Giants 11-9:
Gary Brown(CF)- 0 for 4, HBP, SB(38). BA= .312.
Ehire Adrianza(SS)- 3 for 5, 2B. BA= .318.
Mark DeRosa(2B)- 1 for 3. BA= .400.
Alex Burg(DH)- 2 for 5, 2 2B. BA= .361.
Luke Anders(1B)- 2 for 4, 2B. BA= .250.
Nick Liles(LF)- 2 for 4, 2B. BA= .327.
Jonathan Sanchez(LHP)- 2.2 IP, 6 H, 6 R, 2 BB, 3 K's. ERA= 20.25.
Michael Main(RHP)- 3.1 IP, 9 H, 5 R, 0 BB,0 K's. ERA= 3.81.
Gotta be mildly concerned about Brown either wearing down or the league figuring something out about him. Too soon to panic on Sanchez but....That's not good!
Low A Augusta Greenjackets pounded the Savannah Sand Gnats 9-2:
Carlos Willoughby(2B)- 2 for 5, 3B. BA= .262.
Adam Duvall(3B)- 3 for 4, HR(20), BB. BA= .293.
Rafael Rodriguez(LF)- 2 for 4, 2B. BA= .242.
Chris Lofton(CF)- 1 for 3, BB, SF. BA= .254.
Taylor Rogers(RHP)- 8.1 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 3 BB, 3 K's. ERA= 2.69.
Duvall leads the organization in HR's. He has raised his BA impressively of late.
Short Season Salem Keizer Volcanoes erupted for a 16-5 win over the Yakima Bears:
Shawn Payne(CF)- 2 for 5, BB. BA= .270.
Kaohi Downing(2B)- 3 for 5, 2B, HR(1), BB. BA= .352.
Joe Panik(SS)- 4 for 5, 2B. BA= .355.
Brett Krill(RF)- 5 for 6, 2 2B. BA= .349.
Leonardo Ochoa(LF)- 2 for 4, 2B, BB. BA= .257.
Stephen Shackleford(RHP)- 3.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K's. ERA= 3.71.
Great game for padding the stat lines but most of these players are for real, IMO. Look forward to seeing Panik, Krill and Downing in San Jose next year.
Rookie AZL Giants out hit the Athletics 11-7:
Kelby Tomlinson(SS-3B)- 2 for 5, 2B. BA= .333.
Brian Nicholson(DH)- 2 for 4, 2B. BA= .356.
Mike Merganthaler(LF)- 2 for 3, BB. BA= .242.
Christian Paulino(2B)- 1 for 3, BB, SB(4). BA= .300.
Clayton Blackburn(RHP)- 3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K's. ERA= 0.00.
The big news here is the kid Blackburn. 18 yo. Big kid, 6'3", 220 lbs in the mold of Matt Cain. Drafted in the 16'th round out of Oklahoma HS. Small sample size, but what a sample! 6.2 IP, 0 BB, 9 K's with GO/AO= 2.67. This was his longest stint so far and he dominated for 3 innings. Will he turn out to be the steal of the draft?
DSL Giants were idle as usual on Sundays.
Game Wrap 7/17/2011: Giants 4 Padres 3
The Giants overcame a major mental mistake by Catcher Eli Whiteside to win a see-saw battle with the Pesky Pesky Padres and win the 4 games series 3 games to 1. With one out in the bottom of the 6'th inning and Matt Cain pitching one of his strongest games of the year, Everth Cabrera struck out on a pitch in the dirt. The ump did not give the out signal. Whiteside stood up and held out his glove with the ball in it to prove to the ump that he caught it. Meanwhile, the speedy Cabrera was sprinting for first base. Whiteside belatedly threw down to Aubrey Huff and got Cabrera by a hair, but the first base ump called him safe. Cain then gave up a single to Maybin and a HBP to Ludwick to load the bases. He then got a ground ball that Brandon Crawford might have turned into an inning ending DP but it got past the diving Tejada scoring two runs and giving The Pesky Ones a temporary 3-2 lead. Whitey later redeemed himself by stealing 2B with 2 outs in the 7'th and scoring the tying run on a single by Andres Torres.
Whiteside would later draw a very tough walk against Heath Bell bringing in Emmanuel Burriss as a pinch runner. The Giants did not score in the 9'th but Burriss stayed in the game. With one out in the 11'th inning, Burriss singled sharply to CF. He then stole 2B and took 3'rd on the overthrow by beleaguered SD Catcher Kyle Phillips. Chris Stewart then executed a perfect suicide squeeze play with Burriss strolling home with the winning run as Bruce Bochy won a chess match with Bud Black after a couple of pitch-outs.
Key Lines:
Andres Torres- 2 for 6, SB(12). BA= .239. The Giants had 9 hits, all singles, plus 4 walks plus 5 SB's. Seems like they should have had more than 4 runs in 11 innings to show for it.
Nate Schierholtz- 2 for 5, 2 2 SB(7). BA= .287. Nate scored the first run and drove in the second on singles. His 2 SB's ended up for naught, but Nate is becoming a key force in the middle of the Giants lineup just by staying within himself and doing what he can do.
Emmanuel Burriss- 1 for 1, 2 SB. BA= .216. We already discussed Burriss but his second SB was decisive in this one.
Matt Cain- 6 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 9 K's. ERA= 2.99. Cain was dominant. Best stuff I've seen him have all year. I don't know if he could have gone another inning were it not for Whiteside's gaffe, but I think he probably would have at least started the 7'th inning.
Brian Wilson- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 BB's, 0 K's, Save(28). ERA= 3.02. Wilson causes heart attacks again. He was very lucky to get out of this one thanks to balls hit at fielders and very sharp defensive play by the Giants Chris Stewart and the Giants infielders.
With the Win, the Giants maintained a 3.5 game lead in the NL West over the D'Backs who beat the Dodgers 4-1. The Reeling Rockies dropped to 9.5 games behind the lead in 3'rd place by losing to the BrewCrew 4-3. The Dodgers stayed in 4'th place but slipped to 12.5 games behind while the Padres fell back to 14 games off the pace.
The Giants have now played 52 of their 96 games on the road. The Win today enabled them to maintain a winning road record at 27-25. Their home record is 28-16. They now begin a 6 game homestand with 3 games against the Dodgers and 3 against the BrewCrew before heading back out on the road for 3 vs. the Phillies and 3 against the Reds which will still leave them with an 8 game road surplus after 108 games. In other words, if they survive the next 12 games, they should have a considerable schedule advantage the rest of the way.
Ryan Vogelsong starts it off tomorrow night against Chad Billingsley.
Whiteside would later draw a very tough walk against Heath Bell bringing in Emmanuel Burriss as a pinch runner. The Giants did not score in the 9'th but Burriss stayed in the game. With one out in the 11'th inning, Burriss singled sharply to CF. He then stole 2B and took 3'rd on the overthrow by beleaguered SD Catcher Kyle Phillips. Chris Stewart then executed a perfect suicide squeeze play with Burriss strolling home with the winning run as Bruce Bochy won a chess match with Bud Black after a couple of pitch-outs.
Key Lines:
Andres Torres- 2 for 6, SB(12). BA= .239. The Giants had 9 hits, all singles, plus 4 walks plus 5 SB's. Seems like they should have had more than 4 runs in 11 innings to show for it.
Nate Schierholtz- 2 for 5, 2 2 SB(7). BA= .287. Nate scored the first run and drove in the second on singles. His 2 SB's ended up for naught, but Nate is becoming a key force in the middle of the Giants lineup just by staying within himself and doing what he can do.
Emmanuel Burriss- 1 for 1, 2 SB. BA= .216. We already discussed Burriss but his second SB was decisive in this one.
Matt Cain- 6 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 9 K's. ERA= 2.99. Cain was dominant. Best stuff I've seen him have all year. I don't know if he could have gone another inning were it not for Whiteside's gaffe, but I think he probably would have at least started the 7'th inning.
Brian Wilson- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 BB's, 0 K's, Save(28). ERA= 3.02. Wilson causes heart attacks again. He was very lucky to get out of this one thanks to balls hit at fielders and very sharp defensive play by the Giants Chris Stewart and the Giants infielders.
With the Win, the Giants maintained a 3.5 game lead in the NL West over the D'Backs who beat the Dodgers 4-1. The Reeling Rockies dropped to 9.5 games behind the lead in 3'rd place by losing to the BrewCrew 4-3. The Dodgers stayed in 4'th place but slipped to 12.5 games behind while the Padres fell back to 14 games off the pace.
The Giants have now played 52 of their 96 games on the road. The Win today enabled them to maintain a winning road record at 27-25. Their home record is 28-16. They now begin a 6 game homestand with 3 games against the Dodgers and 3 against the BrewCrew before heading back out on the road for 3 vs. the Phillies and 3 against the Reds which will still leave them with an 8 game road surplus after 108 games. In other words, if they survive the next 12 games, they should have a considerable schedule advantage the rest of the way.
Ryan Vogelsong starts it off tomorrow night against Chad Billingsley.
Down on the Farm: 7/16/2011
AAA Fresno Grizzlies defeated the Sacramento River Cats 8-5:
Justin Christian(RF)- 3 for 5, 2B, 2 SB(11). BA= .302.
Brandon Belt(1B)- 1 for 3, 2B, 2 BB. BA= .341.
Brett Pill(2B)- 2 for 4, HR(17), BB. BA= .309
Tyler Graham(CF)- 2 for 3, 2B, BB, SB(44). BA= .272.
Dan Otero(RHP)- 1.1 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K's. ERA= 0.60.
I think both Christian and Graham could help a MLB team as 4'th or 5'th OF's. Belt has to be a SABR enthusiasts wet dream. It will be interesting to see what that translates to a the MLB level. Pill's apparent ability to play 2B continues to intrigue.
AA Bowie Baysox crushed the Richmond Flying Squirrels 9-2:
Roger Kieschnick(LF)- 2 for 4, 2B, HR(10). BA= .263.
Wes Hodges(1B)- 2 for 4, 2B. BA= .263.
Kieschnick is hitting .308 with a .538 SLB% over his last 10 games.
High A San Jose Giants pounded the Inland Empire 66'ers 9-4:
Gary Brown(CF)- 2 for 4, 2B, BB. BA= .315.
Mark DeRosa(3B)- 1 for 2, 2B, BB. BA= .500.
Jarrett Parker(RF)- 2 for 4, 2 2B, BB. BA= .272.
Tommy Joseph(C)- 3 for 5, 2B, HR(11). BA= .251.
Nick Liles(DH)- 3 for 4. BA= .323.
Zack Wheeler(RHP)- 6 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 7 K's. ERA= 3.70.
Jacob Dunnington(RHP)- 2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 4 K's. ERA= 0.00.
Maybe having the tendon tear completely leaves DeRosa more functional than an intact, but scarred tendon, similar to Renteria last year? Wouldn't that be something if.......oh nevermind! Jarrett Parker is hitting .316 with an OBP of .469 over his last 10 games. Overall, he has a .382 OBP with 9 HR's and 15 SB's on the season. Tommy Joseph is on fire! Good to see Wheels keep his walks down.
Low A Augusta Greenjackets edged the Savannah Sand Gnats 6-5 in 10 innings:
Carlos Willoughby(2B)- 2 for 4, BB. BA= .260.
Chris Lofton(CF)- 2 for 4, S. BA= .253.
Adam Duvall(3B)- 3 for 4, BB. BA= .287.
Ryan Lollis(RF)- 2 for 4, BB. BA= .313.
The Jackets had 14 hits but no XBH's in the game.
Short Season Salem-Keizer Volcanoes topped the Yakima Bears 5-3:
Joe Panik(SS)- 2 for 5. BA= .333.
Mike Murray(DH)- 2 for 5, 2B. BA= .424.
Brice Cutspec(1B)- 2 for 4, 2B. BA= .250.
Kendry Flores(RHP)- 6 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 4 K's. ERA= 5.13.
Rookie AZL Giants downed the Angels 5-3:
Jose Cuevas(3B)- 3 for 4, 3 2B. BA= .273.
Jose De La Cruz(LF)- 1 for 3, 3B, HBP. BA= .286.
Eric Sim(C)- 2 for 4, 2B. BA= .278.
Edwin Escobar(LHP)- 4 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 4 K's. ERA= 3.80.
Miguel Ferrer(RHP)- 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K's. ERA= 3.27.
Keurin Feliz(RHP)- 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K's. ERA= 3.00.
DSL Cubs2 edged the Giants 5-4 in 10 innings: Really, nothing to see here.
Justin Christian(RF)- 3 for 5, 2B, 2 SB(11). BA= .302.
Brandon Belt(1B)- 1 for 3, 2B, 2 BB. BA= .341.
Brett Pill(2B)- 2 for 4, HR(17), BB. BA= .309
Tyler Graham(CF)- 2 for 3, 2B, BB, SB(44). BA= .272.
Dan Otero(RHP)- 1.1 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K's. ERA= 0.60.
I think both Christian and Graham could help a MLB team as 4'th or 5'th OF's. Belt has to be a SABR enthusiasts wet dream. It will be interesting to see what that translates to a the MLB level. Pill's apparent ability to play 2B continues to intrigue.
AA Bowie Baysox crushed the Richmond Flying Squirrels 9-2:
Roger Kieschnick(LF)- 2 for 4, 2B, HR(10). BA= .263.
Wes Hodges(1B)- 2 for 4, 2B. BA= .263.
Kieschnick is hitting .308 with a .538 SLB% over his last 10 games.
High A San Jose Giants pounded the Inland Empire 66'ers 9-4:
Gary Brown(CF)- 2 for 4, 2B, BB. BA= .315.
Mark DeRosa(3B)- 1 for 2, 2B, BB. BA= .500.
Jarrett Parker(RF)- 2 for 4, 2 2B, BB. BA= .272.
Tommy Joseph(C)- 3 for 5, 2B, HR(11). BA= .251.
Nick Liles(DH)- 3 for 4. BA= .323.
Zack Wheeler(RHP)- 6 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 7 K's. ERA= 3.70.
Jacob Dunnington(RHP)- 2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 4 K's. ERA= 0.00.
Maybe having the tendon tear completely leaves DeRosa more functional than an intact, but scarred tendon, similar to Renteria last year? Wouldn't that be something if.......oh nevermind! Jarrett Parker is hitting .316 with an OBP of .469 over his last 10 games. Overall, he has a .382 OBP with 9 HR's and 15 SB's on the season. Tommy Joseph is on fire! Good to see Wheels keep his walks down.
Low A Augusta Greenjackets edged the Savannah Sand Gnats 6-5 in 10 innings:
Carlos Willoughby(2B)- 2 for 4, BB. BA= .260.
Chris Lofton(CF)- 2 for 4, S. BA= .253.
Adam Duvall(3B)- 3 for 4, BB. BA= .287.
Ryan Lollis(RF)- 2 for 4, BB. BA= .313.
The Jackets had 14 hits but no XBH's in the game.
Short Season Salem-Keizer Volcanoes topped the Yakima Bears 5-3:
Joe Panik(SS)- 2 for 5. BA= .333.
Mike Murray(DH)- 2 for 5, 2B. BA= .424.
Brice Cutspec(1B)- 2 for 4, 2B. BA= .250.
Kendry Flores(RHP)- 6 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 4 K's. ERA= 5.13.
Rookie AZL Giants downed the Angels 5-3:
Jose Cuevas(3B)- 3 for 4, 3 2B. BA= .273.
Jose De La Cruz(LF)- 1 for 3, 3B, HBP. BA= .286.
Eric Sim(C)- 2 for 4, 2B. BA= .278.
Edwin Escobar(LHP)- 4 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 4 K's. ERA= 3.80.
Miguel Ferrer(RHP)- 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K's. ERA= 3.27.
Keurin Feliz(RHP)- 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K's. ERA= 3.00.
DSL Cubs2 edged the Giants 5-4 in 10 innings: Really, nothing to see here.
Game Wrap 7/16/2011: Padres 11 Giants 3
This one was over before I had a chance to settle into my rocking chair to watch the game. It's disheartening to know your team has virtually no chance of winning from the first inning on, but in the bigger picture it's just one game. I'd rather have them lose a game like this once in awhile than lose 1-0. Now THAT is a game they need to win! Key Lines:
Miguel Tejada- 2 for 4, HR(4). BA= .243. Miggy T is hitting .361/.410/.583 in July. Crawford's D may not be enough to justify the current difference in offense.
Barry Zito- 3.2 IP, 7 H, 8 R, 4 BB, 3 K's. ERA= 4.78. I'll give Zito a mulligan here after the 3 games he gave us coming off the DL. The problem with Zeets is we all know he's perfectly capable of running off 4 or 5 starts in a row like this. After awhile, the fans and the team start to mentally check off his starts as losses which is never a good thing in so many ways. Looming issue: What to do when Sanchez comes off the DL.
Guillermo Mota- 2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K's. ERA= 4.08. I know a lot of people consider Mota expendable, but this guy has saved the bullpen so many times, including one game where the Giants actually came back to win. I'm not sure where this team would be without that. Also not sure if dropping him to keep both Zito and Sanchez is the right call.
With the Loss, the Giants lead in the NL West shrunk to 3.5 games as the D'Backs edged the Dodgers 3-2 on a 3 run HR by recently called up Brandon Allen, the guy who probably should have been their starting first baseman from opening day. The Rockies lost to the BrewCrew 8-7 to remain 8.5 games back. The Dodgers loss kept them at 11.5 games off the pace while the Padres are 1 game less deep in the cellar at 13 games back.
Matt Cain takes the mound today facing Mat Latos. If Latos and his yap doesn't give this offense an incentive to unload, I don't know what would.
Miguel Tejada- 2 for 4, HR(4). BA= .243. Miggy T is hitting .361/.410/.583 in July. Crawford's D may not be enough to justify the current difference in offense.
Barry Zito- 3.2 IP, 7 H, 8 R, 4 BB, 3 K's. ERA= 4.78. I'll give Zito a mulligan here after the 3 games he gave us coming off the DL. The problem with Zeets is we all know he's perfectly capable of running off 4 or 5 starts in a row like this. After awhile, the fans and the team start to mentally check off his starts as losses which is never a good thing in so many ways. Looming issue: What to do when Sanchez comes off the DL.
Guillermo Mota- 2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K's. ERA= 4.08. I know a lot of people consider Mota expendable, but this guy has saved the bullpen so many times, including one game where the Giants actually came back to win. I'm not sure where this team would be without that. Also not sure if dropping him to keep both Zito and Sanchez is the right call.
With the Loss, the Giants lead in the NL West shrunk to 3.5 games as the D'Backs edged the Dodgers 3-2 on a 3 run HR by recently called up Brandon Allen, the guy who probably should have been their starting first baseman from opening day. The Rockies lost to the BrewCrew 8-7 to remain 8.5 games back. The Dodgers loss kept them at 11.5 games off the pace while the Padres are 1 game less deep in the cellar at 13 games back.
Matt Cain takes the mound today facing Mat Latos. If Latos and his yap doesn't give this offense an incentive to unload, I don't know what would.
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Down on the Farm: 7/15/2011
AAA Fresno edged the Sacramento River Cats 4-3 in 10 innings:
Edgar Gonzalez(SS-2B)- 2 for 4, HBP. BA= .306.
Brandon Belt(1B)- 2 for 4, 2 2B, BB. BA= .341.
Brett Pill(2B-1B)- 2 for 3, SF, S. BA= .307.
Matt Yourkin(LHP)- 6 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 10 K's. ERA= 4.60.
Waldis Joaquin(RHP)- 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's. ERA= 2.81.
Belt is hot. A dominant start for Yourkin. Joaquin is quietly having a good season.
AA Richmond Flying Squirrels defeated the Bowie Baysox 4-2:
Charlie Culberson(2B)- 2 for 5. BA= .266.
Wes Hodges(1B)- 2 for 4, 2 HR(5). BA= .253.
Johnny Monell(C)- 2 for 4, 2B. BA= .255.
Ryan Verdugo(LHP)- 7 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 9 K's. ERA= 3.69.
Culby's line is .289/.325/.526 over his last 10 games. Monell is hitting .375 over his last 10 games. Verdugo has 95 K's in 90.1 IP this season.
High A San Jose Giants topped the Visalia Rawhide 3-1:
Tommy Joseph(C)- 2 for 5, 2 2B. BA= .246.
Ryan Cavan(2B)- 1 for 3, 2B, 2 BB. BA= .268.
Craig Westcott(RHP)- 8 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K's. ERA= 2.91.
David Mixon(RHP)- 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's. ERA= 2.59.
Tommy Joseph has hit .294 since June 1. I couldn't find a mention of Mixon retiring on the sjgiants website. Must have been in a tweet or something.
Low A Augusta Greenjackets finally got a couple of games in sweeping a DH from the Hagerstown Suns 7-0 and 3-2 in 11 innings:
Game 1:
Carlos Willougby(2B)- 0 for 2, BB, HBP, SB(27). BA= .258.
Adam Duvall(3B)- 2 for 3, 2B, 3B, BB. BA= .281.
Josh Mazzola(DH)- 2 for 4, 2B. BA= .225.
Ryan Scoma(1B)- 3 for 4, SB(5). BA= .237.
Mike Kickham(LHP)- 2.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's. ERA= 4.73.
Brett Bochy(RHP)- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's. ERA= 1.99.
Kickham's start ended when the game was suspended on 7/14.
Game 2:
Chris Lofton(CF)- 2 for 5, 2B, SF. BA= .249.
Gaspar Santiago(LHP)- 5 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K's. ERA= 3.90.
Justin Schumer(RHP)- 5 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K's. ERA= 4.66.
Santiago has allowed 2 ER in 19 IP over his last 4 appearances with 7 BB's and 16 K's.
Short Season Yakima Bears topped the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes 6-1:
Shawn Payne(CF)- 2 for 4, 2B. BA= .262.
Chuckie Jones(LF)- 1 for 4, SB(2). BA= .240.
Reiner Roibal(RHP)- 5 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 K's. ERA= 4.33.
Chuckie Jones is off the DL. Second game back after a long layoff. He K'd 4 times in his first game back.
Rookie AZL Giants crushed the D'Backs 8-1:
Eldred Barnett(CF)- 2 for 5, 2B. BA= .279.
Ben Thomas(1B)- 3 for 5, 2B. BA= .429.
Brian Nicholson(DH)- 1 for 4, HR(2), BB. BA= .341.
Leonardo Fuentes(RF)- 1 for 3, 2B. BA= .257.
Paul Davis(RHP)- 4 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K's. ERA= 1.26.
DSL Giants blanked the Rangers 7-0:
Randy Ortiz(CF, 18 yo)- 3 for 4. BA= .296.
Adalberto Mejia(LHP, 18 yo)- 8 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 9 K's. ERA= 1.01.
Not sure what Mejia is doing in the DSL but he looks like he's for real.
Edgar Gonzalez(SS-2B)- 2 for 4, HBP. BA= .306.
Brandon Belt(1B)- 2 for 4, 2 2B, BB. BA= .341.
Brett Pill(2B-1B)- 2 for 3, SF, S. BA= .307.
Matt Yourkin(LHP)- 6 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 10 K's. ERA= 4.60.
Waldis Joaquin(RHP)- 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's. ERA= 2.81.
Belt is hot. A dominant start for Yourkin. Joaquin is quietly having a good season.
AA Richmond Flying Squirrels defeated the Bowie Baysox 4-2:
Charlie Culberson(2B)- 2 for 5. BA= .266.
Wes Hodges(1B)- 2 for 4, 2 HR(5). BA= .253.
Johnny Monell(C)- 2 for 4, 2B. BA= .255.
Ryan Verdugo(LHP)- 7 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 9 K's. ERA= 3.69.
Culby's line is .289/.325/.526 over his last 10 games. Monell is hitting .375 over his last 10 games. Verdugo has 95 K's in 90.1 IP this season.
High A San Jose Giants topped the Visalia Rawhide 3-1:
Tommy Joseph(C)- 2 for 5, 2 2B. BA= .246.
Ryan Cavan(2B)- 1 for 3, 2B, 2 BB. BA= .268.
Craig Westcott(RHP)- 8 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K's. ERA= 2.91.
David Mixon(RHP)- 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's. ERA= 2.59.
Tommy Joseph has hit .294 since June 1. I couldn't find a mention of Mixon retiring on the sjgiants website. Must have been in a tweet or something.
Low A Augusta Greenjackets finally got a couple of games in sweeping a DH from the Hagerstown Suns 7-0 and 3-2 in 11 innings:
Game 1:
Carlos Willougby(2B)- 0 for 2, BB, HBP, SB(27). BA= .258.
Adam Duvall(3B)- 2 for 3, 2B, 3B, BB. BA= .281.
Josh Mazzola(DH)- 2 for 4, 2B. BA= .225.
Ryan Scoma(1B)- 3 for 4, SB(5). BA= .237.
Mike Kickham(LHP)- 2.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's. ERA= 4.73.
Brett Bochy(RHP)- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's. ERA= 1.99.
Kickham's start ended when the game was suspended on 7/14.
Game 2:
Chris Lofton(CF)- 2 for 5, 2B, SF. BA= .249.
Gaspar Santiago(LHP)- 5 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K's. ERA= 3.90.
Justin Schumer(RHP)- 5 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K's. ERA= 4.66.
Santiago has allowed 2 ER in 19 IP over his last 4 appearances with 7 BB's and 16 K's.
Short Season Yakima Bears topped the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes 6-1:
Shawn Payne(CF)- 2 for 4, 2B. BA= .262.
Chuckie Jones(LF)- 1 for 4, SB(2). BA= .240.
Reiner Roibal(RHP)- 5 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 K's. ERA= 4.33.
Chuckie Jones is off the DL. Second game back after a long layoff. He K'd 4 times in his first game back.
Rookie AZL Giants crushed the D'Backs 8-1:
Eldred Barnett(CF)- 2 for 5, 2B. BA= .279.
Ben Thomas(1B)- 3 for 5, 2B. BA= .429.
Brian Nicholson(DH)- 1 for 4, HR(2), BB. BA= .341.
Leonardo Fuentes(RF)- 1 for 3, 2B. BA= .257.
Paul Davis(RHP)- 4 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K's. ERA= 1.26.
DSL Giants blanked the Rangers 7-0:
Randy Ortiz(CF, 18 yo)- 3 for 4. BA= .296.
Adalberto Mejia(LHP, 18 yo)- 8 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 9 K's. ERA= 1.01.
Not sure what Mejia is doing in the DSL but he looks like he's for real.
Game Wrap 7/15/2011: Giants 6 Padres 1
There wasn't much torture in this one as the Giants cruised to a relatively easy win over the rapidly fading Padres and extended their lead in the NL West race. Key Lines:
Andres Torres- 3 for 4, 2B, BB, SB(11). BA= .234. This was the Torres of last year, hitting the ball hard, stealing bases, taking extra bases and playing great D in CF. If he could recapture that magic for a month or two, this race would be over.
Pablo Sandoval- 0 for 2, 2 BB, SF. BA= .302. Credit Pablo for being patient at the plate and putting the team first even if it decreased his chances of extending his hitting streak. He got a well-deserved ovation from the Giants fans in AT&T Park South after his last AB when everybody knew the 22 game hitting streak had come to an end.
Cody Ross- 1 for 3, HR(7), BB. BA= .271. Ross has hit as many as 24 HR's in a season. Come on Cody! Give us 10 more this year! That's not too much to ask, right?
Chris Stewart- 2 for 4, 2B. BA= .194. Nice night for CStew who seems to have settled in as Timmy's personal catcher.
Tim Lincecum- 6 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 3 BB, 7 K's. ERA= 2.99. Timmy threw 112 pitches in 6 innings including 3 WP's so it wasn't easy, but an off night for Timmy is a great one for most other pitchers.
Jeremy Affledt- 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K's. ERA= 3.29. Affeldt is deadly against LH batters but really struggles against RH batters. Still, he took the game deep enough to spare the relievers who got used in Thursday's game.
Sergio Romo- 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K's. ERA= 2.05. Romo has become mostly a RH specialist in Bochy's scheme. Is Bochy under-using him, or is his success because Bochy is putting him in positions where he can succeed? Whichever, it's pretty tough to argue with the results.
With the Win, the Giants stretched their NL West lead to 4.5 games over the D'Backs who lost to the Dodgers 6-4. The Rockies blanked the BrewCrew 4-0 to stay in 3'rd place, 8.5 games behind the Giants. The Dodgers' win kept them in 4'th place, 11.5 games behind the leaders and the Pathetic Padres fell deeper into last place, 14 games behind.
Barry Zito goes for his 4'th straight win since coming off the DL facing LHP Cory Luebke who the Giants have now had a chance to see. 5:35 PM start in AT&T South.
Andres Torres- 3 for 4, 2B, BB, SB(11). BA= .234. This was the Torres of last year, hitting the ball hard, stealing bases, taking extra bases and playing great D in CF. If he could recapture that magic for a month or two, this race would be over.
Pablo Sandoval- 0 for 2, 2 BB, SF. BA= .302. Credit Pablo for being patient at the plate and putting the team first even if it decreased his chances of extending his hitting streak. He got a well-deserved ovation from the Giants fans in AT&T Park South after his last AB when everybody knew the 22 game hitting streak had come to an end.
Cody Ross- 1 for 3, HR(7), BB. BA= .271. Ross has hit as many as 24 HR's in a season. Come on Cody! Give us 10 more this year! That's not too much to ask, right?
Chris Stewart- 2 for 4, 2B. BA= .194. Nice night for CStew who seems to have settled in as Timmy's personal catcher.
Tim Lincecum- 6 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 3 BB, 7 K's. ERA= 2.99. Timmy threw 112 pitches in 6 innings including 3 WP's so it wasn't easy, but an off night for Timmy is a great one for most other pitchers.
Jeremy Affledt- 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K's. ERA= 3.29. Affeldt is deadly against LH batters but really struggles against RH batters. Still, he took the game deep enough to spare the relievers who got used in Thursday's game.
Sergio Romo- 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K's. ERA= 2.05. Romo has become mostly a RH specialist in Bochy's scheme. Is Bochy under-using him, or is his success because Bochy is putting him in positions where he can succeed? Whichever, it's pretty tough to argue with the results.
With the Win, the Giants stretched their NL West lead to 4.5 games over the D'Backs who lost to the Dodgers 6-4. The Rockies blanked the BrewCrew 4-0 to stay in 3'rd place, 8.5 games behind the Giants. The Dodgers' win kept them in 4'th place, 11.5 games behind the leaders and the Pathetic Padres fell deeper into last place, 14 games behind.
Barry Zito goes for his 4'th straight win since coming off the DL facing LHP Cory Luebke who the Giants have now had a chance to see. 5:35 PM start in AT&T South.
Friday, July 15, 2011
Down on the Farm: Hector Sanchez Called Up.
Today, the Giants announced that they had purchased the contract of catcher Hector Sanchez from the Fresno Grizzlies. To make room on the 35 man Active Roster, they placed Pat Burrell on the 15 day DL with a bone spur in his heel. To make room on the 40 man Major League Roster, they moved Mark DeRosa from the 15 day DL to the 60 day DL. Making the situation even murkier, DeRosa is slated to begin a rehab assignment in San Jose!
Hector Sanchez had obviously been a candidate for promotion to the majors since he jumped all the way from High A San Jose to the AAA Fresno Grizzlies. The timing is a big surprise, though. Eli Whiteside has been playing much better of late and getting steadily better as he gets more regular AB's under his belt. He is hitting .333 over his last 10 games and has an overall OPS of .735. While Sanchez may be a better hitter and catcher long term, it's hard to imagine him being an immediate upgrade at the position. Backup catcher Chris Stewart has been struggling a bit more of late, but has become Timmy's personal catcher. I don't think the Giants want to disrupt Timmy's finely tuned game one more time.
The move does provide better in-game flexibility since you don't want to use your backup catcher as a substitute in case an injury leaves you without anyone to play the position. Sanchez also gives you a switch-hitting bat off the bench. Ideally, though, you want a young player to be playing and it's hard to see Sanchez replacing Whiteside as the starter in the short term.
If the move was precipitated by the need to put Burrell on the DL, why not bring up one of the hitters already on the 40 man roster? The Giants think Brandon Belt needs more AB's in the minors coming off his fractured hand, but Thomas Neal and Francisco Peguero have been hitting at least as well as Sanchez.
The move has the feel of a prelude to more moves to come, but what moves? If a trade for Beltran is in the works, Burrell was the obvious guy to drop anyway. Now they would have to drop someone else. Another thought is they want to audition Sanchez before the trade deadline to answer the question of whether they need to trade for a catcher, but again, you run into the fact that Whiteside has been pretty good of late. Trading for a catcher is more of a long term decision about Whiteside's future than Sanchez'.
Interesting to see how it all plays out.
Hector Sanchez had obviously been a candidate for promotion to the majors since he jumped all the way from High A San Jose to the AAA Fresno Grizzlies. The timing is a big surprise, though. Eli Whiteside has been playing much better of late and getting steadily better as he gets more regular AB's under his belt. He is hitting .333 over his last 10 games and has an overall OPS of .735. While Sanchez may be a better hitter and catcher long term, it's hard to imagine him being an immediate upgrade at the position. Backup catcher Chris Stewart has been struggling a bit more of late, but has become Timmy's personal catcher. I don't think the Giants want to disrupt Timmy's finely tuned game one more time.
The move does provide better in-game flexibility since you don't want to use your backup catcher as a substitute in case an injury leaves you without anyone to play the position. Sanchez also gives you a switch-hitting bat off the bench. Ideally, though, you want a young player to be playing and it's hard to see Sanchez replacing Whiteside as the starter in the short term.
If the move was precipitated by the need to put Burrell on the DL, why not bring up one of the hitters already on the 40 man roster? The Giants think Brandon Belt needs more AB's in the minors coming off his fractured hand, but Thomas Neal and Francisco Peguero have been hitting at least as well as Sanchez.
The move has the feel of a prelude to more moves to come, but what moves? If a trade for Beltran is in the works, Burrell was the obvious guy to drop anyway. Now they would have to drop someone else. Another thought is they want to audition Sanchez before the trade deadline to answer the question of whether they need to trade for a catcher, but again, you run into the fact that Whiteside has been pretty good of late. Trading for a catcher is more of a long term decision about Whiteside's future than Sanchez'.
Interesting to see how it all plays out.
Down on the Farm: 7/14/2011
AAA Fresno Grizzlies edged the Sacramento River Cats 3-2:
Edgar Gonzalez(SS-2B)- 1 for 3, HR(7), BB. BA= .304.
Brandon Belt(1B)- 3 for 3, HR(7), BB, SB(4). BA= .336.
Shane Loux(RHP)- 6 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 4 K's. ERA= 4.39.
Dan Otero(RHP)- 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K's. ERA= 0.66.
Belt seems to be warming up. Not that he was ever cold. Would love to see a scouting report on Otero.
AA Bowie Baysox defeated the Richmond Flying Squirrels 7-2:
Charlie Culberson(2B)- 2 for 4, HR(7). BA= .264.
Chris Dominguez(3B)- 2 for 4. BA= .326.
Henry Sosa(RHP)- 6.1 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 6 K's. ERA= 2.68.
High A San Jose Giants crushed the Visalia Rawhide 12-1:
Ryan Cavan(2B)- 2 for 3, 2B, 2 BB. BA= .267.
Alex Burg(DH)- 1 for 1, 2B, BB, S. BA= .359.
Luke Anders(1B)- 3 for 5, 2B, HR(8). BA= .251.
Kelvin Marte(LHP)- 6 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K's. ERA= 3.20.
Low A Augusta Greenjackets had the first game of their makeup DH suspended and game 2 was postponed.
Short Season Yakima Bears topped the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes 6-2:
Shawn Payne(LF)- 1 for 4, SB(11). BA= .250.
Joe Panik(SS)- 2 for 4, 2B. BA= .340.
Rookie AZL Giants were idle.
DSL Giants beat the Tigers 11-3:
Carlos Cartegena(LF, 17 yo)- 1 for 3, 3B, BB. BA= .127.
Randy Ortiz(CF, 18 yo)- 2 for 2, 2 BB, SB(7). BA= .277.
Jose Reyes(20 yo, RHP)- 5 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 4 K's. ERA= 0.94.
Edgar Gonzalez(SS-2B)- 1 for 3, HR(7), BB. BA= .304.
Brandon Belt(1B)- 3 for 3, HR(7), BB, SB(4). BA= .336.
Shane Loux(RHP)- 6 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 4 K's. ERA= 4.39.
Dan Otero(RHP)- 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K's. ERA= 0.66.
Belt seems to be warming up. Not that he was ever cold. Would love to see a scouting report on Otero.
AA Bowie Baysox defeated the Richmond Flying Squirrels 7-2:
Charlie Culberson(2B)- 2 for 4, HR(7). BA= .264.
Chris Dominguez(3B)- 2 for 4. BA= .326.
Henry Sosa(RHP)- 6.1 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 6 K's. ERA= 2.68.
High A San Jose Giants crushed the Visalia Rawhide 12-1:
Ryan Cavan(2B)- 2 for 3, 2B, 2 BB. BA= .267.
Alex Burg(DH)- 1 for 1, 2B, BB, S. BA= .359.
Luke Anders(1B)- 3 for 5, 2B, HR(8). BA= .251.
Kelvin Marte(LHP)- 6 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K's. ERA= 3.20.
Low A Augusta Greenjackets had the first game of their makeup DH suspended and game 2 was postponed.
Short Season Yakima Bears topped the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes 6-2:
Shawn Payne(LF)- 1 for 4, SB(11). BA= .250.
Joe Panik(SS)- 2 for 4, 2B. BA= .340.
Rookie AZL Giants were idle.
DSL Giants beat the Tigers 11-3:
Carlos Cartegena(LF, 17 yo)- 1 for 3, 3B, BB. BA= .127.
Randy Ortiz(CF, 18 yo)- 2 for 2, 2 BB, SB(7). BA= .277.
Jose Reyes(20 yo, RHP)- 5 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 4 K's. ERA= 0.94.
Game Wrap 7/14/2011: Giants 6 Pesky Padres 2
The Giants went to the ninth inning last night staring into the face of one of their more disheartening losses of the season. The offense, which has clearly been a huge concern, seemed even worse than usual. The Padres led 1-0 and Madison Bumgarner was on the hook for the loss once again. Heath Bell came charging in from the bullpen sporting a record of 26 Saves in 27 opportunities. Huff, Ross and Crawford, who were slated to face him, had just 1 Walk in 9 Plate Appearances between and didn't seem like a group that would make Bell even break a sweat. Huff took a questionable called strike(I started watching the game late, but it looked like the ump had a generous strike zone for both sides), then fouled a pitch into the ground to the right. Just like that, 0-2! I, of course expected the next pitch to be either up at his eyes or down in the dirt and he'd swing and miss. The Padres' catcher pounded the plate with his glove. It would be in the dirt, except.......he hung it! It wasn't belt high, but it wasn't in the dirt either and Huffy jumped all over it. The next problem is that Huffy has been jumping on these all season and they've all been hooking foul. This one hooked too, but no before it had passed just inside the foul pole for a game saving, game tying home run! Take THAT, Mat Latos! The stadium, which was filled with Orange and Black, erupted like it was a home game at AT&T Park! The bullpen held the Pesky ones at bay for 3 more frames before the Giants mounted a sustained rally in the top of the 12'th inning to finally come away with a win they probably shouldn't have gotten. Key Lines:
Pablo Sandoval- 2 for 5, BB. BA= .305. Pablo ran his hitting streak to 22 games, 4 short of Jack Clark's franchise record.
Aubrey Huff- 2 for 6, HR(9). BA= .238. Is this another blip or the start of a breakout for The Huffster?
Eli Whiteside- 3 for 4, 2B, S. BA= .248. Whitey is turning into the little catcher who could(even though he's not so little). Is he enabling the Giants to think of bigger deadline deals than simply upgrading catcher?
Madison Bumgarner- 6 IP, 7 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 4 K's. ERA= 3.74. Another QS without a W, but I'm sure Bum will take it.
Bullpen- 6 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 6 K's. Ramirez and Casilla were lights out for 2 innings each. Romo absolutely abused the 3 Padre hitters he faced. He could definitely be the closer on a lot of teams and maybe should be for the Giants. Wilson sat down when the Giants lead got to more than 3 runs, but Lopez coudn't close it out so Willie came in and got the 2 out Save, #27 on the season.
With the Win, the Giants extended their NL West lead over the idle D'Backs to 3.5 games. The Rockies beat the BrewCrew 12-3 to remain in 3'rd place, 8.5 games back. The Dodgers were idle and slipped to 11.5 games behind and the Pathetic Pesky Padres lost their 6'th in a row to drop 13 games behind in the division cellar.
A well rested Tim Lincecum takes the mound tonight facing Dustin Moseley as the Giants try to extend their NL West lead once again.
Pablo Sandoval- 2 for 5, BB. BA= .305. Pablo ran his hitting streak to 22 games, 4 short of Jack Clark's franchise record.
Aubrey Huff- 2 for 6, HR(9). BA= .238. Is this another blip or the start of a breakout for The Huffster?
Eli Whiteside- 3 for 4, 2B, S. BA= .248. Whitey is turning into the little catcher who could(even though he's not so little). Is he enabling the Giants to think of bigger deadline deals than simply upgrading catcher?
Madison Bumgarner- 6 IP, 7 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 4 K's. ERA= 3.74. Another QS without a W, but I'm sure Bum will take it.
Bullpen- 6 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 6 K's. Ramirez and Casilla were lights out for 2 innings each. Romo absolutely abused the 3 Padre hitters he faced. He could definitely be the closer on a lot of teams and maybe should be for the Giants. Wilson sat down when the Giants lead got to more than 3 runs, but Lopez coudn't close it out so Willie came in and got the 2 out Save, #27 on the season.
With the Win, the Giants extended their NL West lead over the idle D'Backs to 3.5 games. The Rockies beat the BrewCrew 12-3 to remain in 3'rd place, 8.5 games back. The Dodgers were idle and slipped to 11.5 games behind and the Pathetic Pesky Padres lost their 6'th in a row to drop 13 games behind in the division cellar.
A well rested Tim Lincecum takes the mound tonight facing Dustin Moseley as the Giants try to extend their NL West lead once again.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Down on the Farm: 7/13/2011
AAA IL beat the PCL 3-0:
Andrew Kown- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K's.
No other Grizzlies appeared. Looking over the PCL lineup, I think Brett Pill and/or Tyler Graham could have helped this team.
AA EL West defeated the EL East 8-3:
Çharlie Culberson- 2 for 2, SB.
Johnny Monell- 1 for 2.
Roger Kieschnick- 2 for 4.
Justin Fitzgerald- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K.
Giants farmhands scored 4 runs and drove in 4 obviously making a large contribution to the West victory.
High A San Jose Giants scored a come from behind 5-4 win over the Visalia Rawhide:
Gary Brown(CF)- 3 for 5, 2 2B, SB(37). BA= .316.
Ehire Adrianza(SS)- 2 for 5. BA= .340.
Brandon Belt(1B)- 1 for 3, 2B, 2 BB, SB(1). BA= .462.
Tommy Joseph(C)- 2 for 5, 2 2B. BA= .247.
Brown seems to be back on track. Pretty typical game from Belt. Dude takes a lot of walks! Joseph is hitting .310 with a SLG% of .690 over his last 10 games.
Low A Augusta Greenjackets postponed.
Short Season Yakima Bears downed the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes 5-2:
Mike Murray(DH)- 2 for 4. BA= .446.
Garrett Buechele(3B)- 2 for 4. BA= .267.
Cameron Lamb(RHP)- 6 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 0 BB, 4 K's, GO/AO= 11/0. ERA= 4.55.
Rookie AZL Royals topped the Giants 7-3:
Kelby Tomlinson(SS)- 1 for 3, 2B, 2 BB. RA= .324.
Jose De La Cruz(DH)- 1 for 4, HR(1). BA= .296.
Kentrell Hill(LF)- 2 for 4, SB(1). BA= .229.
Not sure why De La Cruz doesn't get more love. Just his 7'th game starting June 20.
DSL Mets pounded the Giants 8-2:
Carlos Cartegena(LF, 17 yo)- 2 for 3, HR(1), SB(3). BA= .130.
Cartegena is a 6 figure bonus baby from Venezuela. Worth keeping an eye on.
Andrew Kown- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K's.
No other Grizzlies appeared. Looking over the PCL lineup, I think Brett Pill and/or Tyler Graham could have helped this team.
AA EL West defeated the EL East 8-3:
Çharlie Culberson- 2 for 2, SB.
Johnny Monell- 1 for 2.
Roger Kieschnick- 2 for 4.
Justin Fitzgerald- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K.
Giants farmhands scored 4 runs and drove in 4 obviously making a large contribution to the West victory.
High A San Jose Giants scored a come from behind 5-4 win over the Visalia Rawhide:
Gary Brown(CF)- 3 for 5, 2 2B, SB(37). BA= .316.
Ehire Adrianza(SS)- 2 for 5. BA= .340.
Brandon Belt(1B)- 1 for 3, 2B, 2 BB, SB(1). BA= .462.
Tommy Joseph(C)- 2 for 5, 2 2B. BA= .247.
Brown seems to be back on track. Pretty typical game from Belt. Dude takes a lot of walks! Joseph is hitting .310 with a SLG% of .690 over his last 10 games.
Low A Augusta Greenjackets postponed.
Short Season Yakima Bears downed the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes 5-2:
Mike Murray(DH)- 2 for 4. BA= .446.
Garrett Buechele(3B)- 2 for 4. BA= .267.
Cameron Lamb(RHP)- 6 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 0 BB, 4 K's, GO/AO= 11/0. ERA= 4.55.
Rookie AZL Royals topped the Giants 7-3:
Kelby Tomlinson(SS)- 1 for 3, 2B, 2 BB. RA= .324.
Jose De La Cruz(DH)- 1 for 4, HR(1). BA= .296.
Kentrell Hill(LF)- 2 for 4, SB(1). BA= .229.
Not sure why De La Cruz doesn't get more love. Just his 7'th game starting June 20.
DSL Mets pounded the Giants 8-2:
Carlos Cartegena(LF, 17 yo)- 2 for 3, HR(1), SB(3). BA= .130.
Cartegena is a 6 figure bonus baby from Venezuela. Worth keeping an eye on.
Down on the Farm: 7/12/2011
AAA PCL idle for the All-Star Break.
AA EL was idle
High A San Jose Giants beat the Visalia Rawhide 8-5:
Jarrett Parker(RF)- 2 for 3, 3 BB. BA= .270.
Brandon Belt(1B)- 2 for 4, 2 BB. BA= .500.
Alex Burg(3B)- 2 for 6, 2 2B. BA= .371.
James Simmons(LF)- 2 for 5, HR(). BA= .344.
Chris Heston(RHP)- 7 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 7 K's. ERA= 4.09.
Jacob Dunnington(RHP)- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's. ERA= 0.00.
Belt is playing a couple of games to get AB's while the PCL is on their All-Star Break. Parker reaches base 5 times. Burg keeps hitting. Dunnington impressive in short stints since callup.
Low A Augusta Greenjackets downed the Hagerstown Suns 5-3:
Ryan Lollis(RF)- 2 for 4, SB(4). BA- .319.
Rafael Rodriguez(LF)- 1 for 4, 2B. BA= .237.
Brett Bochy(RHP)- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K's. ERA= 2.08.
Short Season NWL was idle.
Rookie AZL was idle.
DSL Giants blanked the Yankees1 3-0:
Rando Moreno(SS, 19 yo)- 2 for 4, 2 SB(5). BA= .264.
Alberto Robles(2B-3B , 20 yo)- 2 for 4. BA= .351.
Hector Mercedes(RF, 19 yo) 2 for 4. BA= .247
Yeini Martinez(RHP,20 yo)- 7 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 8 K's. ERA= 2.55.
AA EL was idle
High A San Jose Giants beat the Visalia Rawhide 8-5:
Jarrett Parker(RF)- 2 for 3, 3 BB. BA= .270.
Brandon Belt(1B)- 2 for 4, 2 BB. BA= .500.
Alex Burg(3B)- 2 for 6, 2 2B. BA= .371.
James Simmons(LF)- 2 for 5, HR(). BA= .344.
Chris Heston(RHP)- 7 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 7 K's. ERA= 4.09.
Jacob Dunnington(RHP)- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's. ERA= 0.00.
Belt is playing a couple of games to get AB's while the PCL is on their All-Star Break. Parker reaches base 5 times. Burg keeps hitting. Dunnington impressive in short stints since callup.
Low A Augusta Greenjackets downed the Hagerstown Suns 5-3:
Ryan Lollis(RF)- 2 for 4, SB(4). BA- .319.
Rafael Rodriguez(LF)- 1 for 4, 2B. BA= .237.
Brett Bochy(RHP)- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K's. ERA= 2.08.
Short Season NWL was idle.
Rookie AZL was idle.
DSL Giants blanked the Yankees1 3-0:
Rando Moreno(SS, 19 yo)- 2 for 4, 2 SB(5). BA= .264.
Alberto Robles(2B-3B , 20 yo)- 2 for 4. BA= .351.
Hector Mercedes(RF, 19 yo) 2 for 4. BA= .247
Yeini Martinez(RHP,20 yo)- 7 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 8 K's. ERA= 2.55.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Down on the Farm: Midseason Top 50 Giants Prospects
OK, I kind of threw this together. Probably overlooked somebody big time. As always, please don't get too hung up on exact placement.
1. Brandon Belt, 1B/OF. Although his numbers didn't look great, he put together a lot of good AB's during his stint in the majors. No reason to downgrade him from #1. I think the kid will be back and will stick the next time.
2. Zack Wheeler, RHP. I've seen Matt Cain, Tim Lincecum, Merkin Valdez and Zack Wheeler pitch for San Jose. Wheeler's stuff was the most overpowering. He needs to stay healthy and cut down on the walks, but his ceiling is as high as any pitcher in the organization and that includes the MLB level.
3. Gary Brown, OF. He didn't look that impressive on the day I saw him but he has put up great numbers despite a recent slump. Potential to be a 2 WAR player on defense alone, and he should be a lot better than replacement on offense too.
4. Joe Panik, SS. 2011 first round draft pick off to a great start for Salem-Keizer. The Giants think he can stick at SS which could make him a premium prospect.
5. Francisco Peguero, OF. Raking in the Eastern League like he didn't notice he had been promoted.
6. Thomas Neal, OF. Missed time at the beginning of the season to injury. Has hit better than .300 since coming back while showing 5 tool skills. Needs to pick up the power.
7. Heath Hembree, RHP. Probably has the highest velocity in the organization right now. Potential to be a future closer.
8. Hector Sanchez, C. A favorite of Giants prospect watchers for years, finally had the breakout everybody was hoping for. More than holding his own after a promotion to AAA.
9. Eric Surkamp, LHP. Appears to be fully recovered from a dislocated hip and putting up impressive K numbers in AA. May have enough of a CB and CH to not need a great fastball.
10. Chris Dominguez, 3B. Prodigious power, maybe the best in the organization. Has hit >.300 with power since his promotion to AA. Truly impressive and his stock is way, way up!
11. Chuckie Jones, OF. Has missed a lot of time this year with various injuries and is on the DL right now, but showed why everybody is so high on him in a brief sample at the beginning of short season ball.
12. Tommy Joseph, C. 3'rd youngest player in the Cal League. Has held his own and shown his light tower power.
13. Ehire Adrianza, SS. Injured at the beginning of the year. Has kind of bounced around at different levels since coming back. Could become an elite shortstop if he can hit at all.
14. Charlie Culberson, 2B. Despite Peguero and Dominguez coming up and owning the EL, it's still a very tough place to hit. Culberson has held his own.
15. Roger Kieschnick, OF. Has come on strong of late in the EL. Might have as good an arm as Nate. Needs to stay healthy.
16. Jarrett Parker, OF. So-so BA but excellent walk rates with some power and speed for San Jose. Could be a late bloomer.
17. Rafael Rodriguez, OF. Numbers not impressive for the Sally League but just turned 19 and he hasn't embarrassed himself.
18. Conor Gillaspie, 3B. Solid numbers for Fresno. The big problem with him is he was given a MLB contract after the draft so his options run out next spring. He has to be either kept on the 25 man roster or exposed to waivers. With Pablo healthy and productive and Gillaspie only playing 1 position, it doesn't look like there is a place for him with the Giants. Most likely trade bait at this point.
19. Ryan Verdugo, LHP. Good K numbers for Richmond as a starter. Needs to keep the walks down.
20. Seth Rosin, RHP. Has yet to find a role but has a K/9=9 with low walks for Augusta. I'm still a believer.
21. Jacob Dunnington, RHP. Now the 9'th or 10 youngest player in the Cal League since his promotion. Staying in the bullpen for now but I see him as a future starter.
22. Adalberto Mejia, LHP. 6 figure Dominican bonus baby. Putting up great numbers at age 17 in the DSL. Great size, especially for a LHP.
23. Kendry Flores, RHP. Age appropriate for Short Season ball.
24. Mike Kickham, LHP. Similar pattern to his college career with nice K numbers. Will eventually have to translate into a good ERA.
25. Leonard Fuentes, OF. Might be a top 10 based on ceiling alone, but has a long way to go.
26. Johnny Monell, C. Numbers have been coming up in the EL of late. Left handed hitting catchers have a lot of value even as backups.
27. Nick Noonan, SS. This may be too high. Has really struggled at the plate but has stuck at SS all season at Richmond which increases his value a lot.
28. Joan Gregorio, RHP. Great size. Has put up some nice number in a limited sample for AZL Giants.
29. Brett Bochy, RHP. Melonhead Jr. has been lights out pitching out of the bullpen for Augusta coming of TJ surgery.
30. Adam Duvall, 3B. Has put up huge power numbers for Augusta while moving to 3B. Has committed a ton of errors there, but so did Pablo Sandoval and Chris Dominguez. We'll see if he can stick at the position.
31. Jesus Galindo, OF. Speedster graduate of the DSL. Starting to show signs of learning to hit.
32. Alex Burg, C/3B. Torching the Cal League since a recent promotion. College numbers and numbers form last year suggest it may be for real.
33. Clayton Blackburn, RHP. Big HS RHP draftee. Don't know much about him but has done great in very limited sample to start his pro career.
34. Carlos Willoughby, 2B. BA not that impressive but has maintained excellent OBP skills and can steal bases.
35. Reiner Roibal, RHP. Had one dominant start and some other good ones so far for AZL Giants.
36. Brandon Allen, RHP. Has struggled but his last start was much better and time is still on his side.
37. Matt Graham, RHP. Has pitched terrible but has a high ceiling and time is on still on his side.
38. Jason Stoffel, RHP. Has been passed on the closer track by Hembree, but has pitched decently for AA Richmond.
39. Dan Otero, RHP. Recent promo to Fresno and has been one of their best pitchers.
40. Mike Murray, C. Don't know if he can catch, but he can sure hit. The Giants are suddenly loaded with catching prospects who can hit, so he's in a holding pattern in S-K.
41. Chris Lofton, OF. So-so season for Augusta, I think he has 5 tool potential if they can be patient with him.
42. Tyler Graham, OF. Nice season for Fresno with outstanding SB numbers. I think he can be a nice 4'th OF for some MLB team.
43. Michael Main, RHP. Has battled injuries but former first round pick of the Rangers has pitched well when healthy for SJ.
44. Nick Liles, OF, 3B, 2B. Versatility may eventually buy him a ticket to the show.
45. Justin Fitzgerald, RHP. Has pitched well for Richmond. Can be a workhorse if he ever makes the show.
46. Chris Heston, RHP. Overshadowed by Wheeler in SJ, but has pitched well. Can get K's and groundballs.
47. Shawn Sanford, RHP. Similar profile to Heston but at a lower level.
48. Brett Pill, 1B, 2B, 3B. Having a terrific season for Fresno. Superb fielding 1B. Has ability to fill in at 2B increased his value?
49. Hector Correa, RHP. Great numbers since callup to Richmond.
50. Brett Krill, OF. Saved a spot at the end for my favorite sleeper prospect. Big, deceptively athletic guy from UCLA. Currently on a hitting tear for Salem-Keizer.
Honorable Mention: Clayton Tanner, Justin Chrisitan, Ben Thomas and Joe Staley.
1. Brandon Belt, 1B/OF. Although his numbers didn't look great, he put together a lot of good AB's during his stint in the majors. No reason to downgrade him from #1. I think the kid will be back and will stick the next time.
2. Zack Wheeler, RHP. I've seen Matt Cain, Tim Lincecum, Merkin Valdez and Zack Wheeler pitch for San Jose. Wheeler's stuff was the most overpowering. He needs to stay healthy and cut down on the walks, but his ceiling is as high as any pitcher in the organization and that includes the MLB level.
3. Gary Brown, OF. He didn't look that impressive on the day I saw him but he has put up great numbers despite a recent slump. Potential to be a 2 WAR player on defense alone, and he should be a lot better than replacement on offense too.
4. Joe Panik, SS. 2011 first round draft pick off to a great start for Salem-Keizer. The Giants think he can stick at SS which could make him a premium prospect.
5. Francisco Peguero, OF. Raking in the Eastern League like he didn't notice he had been promoted.
6. Thomas Neal, OF. Missed time at the beginning of the season to injury. Has hit better than .300 since coming back while showing 5 tool skills. Needs to pick up the power.
7. Heath Hembree, RHP. Probably has the highest velocity in the organization right now. Potential to be a future closer.
8. Hector Sanchez, C. A favorite of Giants prospect watchers for years, finally had the breakout everybody was hoping for. More than holding his own after a promotion to AAA.
9. Eric Surkamp, LHP. Appears to be fully recovered from a dislocated hip and putting up impressive K numbers in AA. May have enough of a CB and CH to not need a great fastball.
10. Chris Dominguez, 3B. Prodigious power, maybe the best in the organization. Has hit >.300 with power since his promotion to AA. Truly impressive and his stock is way, way up!
11. Chuckie Jones, OF. Has missed a lot of time this year with various injuries and is on the DL right now, but showed why everybody is so high on him in a brief sample at the beginning of short season ball.
12. Tommy Joseph, C. 3'rd youngest player in the Cal League. Has held his own and shown his light tower power.
13. Ehire Adrianza, SS. Injured at the beginning of the year. Has kind of bounced around at different levels since coming back. Could become an elite shortstop if he can hit at all.
14. Charlie Culberson, 2B. Despite Peguero and Dominguez coming up and owning the EL, it's still a very tough place to hit. Culberson has held his own.
15. Roger Kieschnick, OF. Has come on strong of late in the EL. Might have as good an arm as Nate. Needs to stay healthy.
16. Jarrett Parker, OF. So-so BA but excellent walk rates with some power and speed for San Jose. Could be a late bloomer.
17. Rafael Rodriguez, OF. Numbers not impressive for the Sally League but just turned 19 and he hasn't embarrassed himself.
18. Conor Gillaspie, 3B. Solid numbers for Fresno. The big problem with him is he was given a MLB contract after the draft so his options run out next spring. He has to be either kept on the 25 man roster or exposed to waivers. With Pablo healthy and productive and Gillaspie only playing 1 position, it doesn't look like there is a place for him with the Giants. Most likely trade bait at this point.
19. Ryan Verdugo, LHP. Good K numbers for Richmond as a starter. Needs to keep the walks down.
20. Seth Rosin, RHP. Has yet to find a role but has a K/9=9 with low walks for Augusta. I'm still a believer.
21. Jacob Dunnington, RHP. Now the 9'th or 10 youngest player in the Cal League since his promotion. Staying in the bullpen for now but I see him as a future starter.
22. Adalberto Mejia, LHP. 6 figure Dominican bonus baby. Putting up great numbers at age 17 in the DSL. Great size, especially for a LHP.
23. Kendry Flores, RHP. Age appropriate for Short Season ball.
24. Mike Kickham, LHP. Similar pattern to his college career with nice K numbers. Will eventually have to translate into a good ERA.
25. Leonard Fuentes, OF. Might be a top 10 based on ceiling alone, but has a long way to go.
26. Johnny Monell, C. Numbers have been coming up in the EL of late. Left handed hitting catchers have a lot of value even as backups.
27. Nick Noonan, SS. This may be too high. Has really struggled at the plate but has stuck at SS all season at Richmond which increases his value a lot.
28. Joan Gregorio, RHP. Great size. Has put up some nice number in a limited sample for AZL Giants.
29. Brett Bochy, RHP. Melonhead Jr. has been lights out pitching out of the bullpen for Augusta coming of TJ surgery.
30. Adam Duvall, 3B. Has put up huge power numbers for Augusta while moving to 3B. Has committed a ton of errors there, but so did Pablo Sandoval and Chris Dominguez. We'll see if he can stick at the position.
31. Jesus Galindo, OF. Speedster graduate of the DSL. Starting to show signs of learning to hit.
32. Alex Burg, C/3B. Torching the Cal League since a recent promotion. College numbers and numbers form last year suggest it may be for real.
33. Clayton Blackburn, RHP. Big HS RHP draftee. Don't know much about him but has done great in very limited sample to start his pro career.
34. Carlos Willoughby, 2B. BA not that impressive but has maintained excellent OBP skills and can steal bases.
35. Reiner Roibal, RHP. Had one dominant start and some other good ones so far for AZL Giants.
36. Brandon Allen, RHP. Has struggled but his last start was much better and time is still on his side.
37. Matt Graham, RHP. Has pitched terrible but has a high ceiling and time is on still on his side.
38. Jason Stoffel, RHP. Has been passed on the closer track by Hembree, but has pitched decently for AA Richmond.
39. Dan Otero, RHP. Recent promo to Fresno and has been one of their best pitchers.
40. Mike Murray, C. Don't know if he can catch, but he can sure hit. The Giants are suddenly loaded with catching prospects who can hit, so he's in a holding pattern in S-K.
41. Chris Lofton, OF. So-so season for Augusta, I think he has 5 tool potential if they can be patient with him.
42. Tyler Graham, OF. Nice season for Fresno with outstanding SB numbers. I think he can be a nice 4'th OF for some MLB team.
43. Michael Main, RHP. Has battled injuries but former first round pick of the Rangers has pitched well when healthy for SJ.
44. Nick Liles, OF, 3B, 2B. Versatility may eventually buy him a ticket to the show.
45. Justin Fitzgerald, RHP. Has pitched well for Richmond. Can be a workhorse if he ever makes the show.
46. Chris Heston, RHP. Overshadowed by Wheeler in SJ, but has pitched well. Can get K's and groundballs.
47. Shawn Sanford, RHP. Similar profile to Heston but at a lower level.
48. Brett Pill, 1B, 2B, 3B. Having a terrific season for Fresno. Superb fielding 1B. Has ability to fill in at 2B increased his value?
49. Hector Correa, RHP. Great numbers since callup to Richmond.
50. Brett Krill, OF. Saved a spot at the end for my favorite sleeper prospect. Big, deceptively athletic guy from UCLA. Currently on a hitting tear for Salem-Keizer.
Honorable Mention: Clayton Tanner, Justin Chrisitan, Ben Thomas and Joe Staley.
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