Just a few random thoughts from a very long spring training and the Opening Day Roster.
After all that, I am pretty sure there was only one player in camp who significantly changed their place or role on the roster: Logan Webb RHP. At the beginning of camp, Webb was all but ticketed for Sacramento but was by far the most effective SP of the spring and breaks camp as the #3. Everything else could have been determined and ramped up in 2 or at the most 3 weeks.
Based on performance, roster spots should have been awarded to Heliot Ramos OF, Joey Bart C, Jason Vosler IF, Conner Menez LHP and Dominic Leone RHP. Nice to know the Giants will have some serious depth to start the season but gotta feel bad for those guys who could not have done more to earn their spot.
Given FZ's obssession with inventory maintenance, you have to wonder who gets sent out when Alex Wood comes off the IL. I suppose chances are injuries and performance will make it a problem that takes care of itself, which I am pretty sure is the basis for FZ's thinking. If it doesn't, oh well. Churn on!
I haven't figured out what's going on between Joey Bart and Johnny Cueto but it's gone on long enough that you have to be concerned. Even if Cueto has a legitimate gripe, he needs to not show it on the field, but if it is and is still an issue, then we've got to be concerned about future ability to be a MLB catcher. That's bizarre because my understanding is a big part of why he was drafted so high is his leadership qualities behind the dish. You also have to wonder about Kap letting Cueto continue to show up the kid on the field like that. Apart from that kerfuffle, I'm excited as heck to dream about Joey Bart's bat in future lineups most days, which tells you something about my faith in Buster Posey's future right now.
What about Heliot Ramos? Wow! Can that kid hit or what? He's going to have to watch the body going forward but the bat looks legit and more. I could see him producing a 40 HR season or two before his career is done. It will be great if he can play CF, but the bat will play anywhere.
Marco Luciano SS appeared overmatched early in the spring but seemed much more comfortable by the last week of camp. That is an argument for the prolonged spring, to give prospects like him a chance to get comfortable in a MLB environment. Just a bit more salt and Luciano looks like another future star if not superstar.
Will Wilson IF showed flashes of power at the plate, but struggled all spring in the field. Needs more seasoning in the minors and needs to find a place where he's comfortable in the field.
Gotta be excited to think about a future bullpen with Camilo Doval RHP and Kervin Castro RHP in it. Doval in particular got sent out of camp earlier than I would think based on the electricity of his appearances. Wow! Now that's some serious stuff!
Can't wait for Opening Day!
I like reading your thoughts on the young players. The future looks very promising. The interesting aspect is the players mentioned have a lot of talent, but have limited or no minor league experience above A ball. Bart and Ramos have played only 20+ games in AA, hope they get enough reps in the high minors so they can get called up this season.
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