Brandon Belt is a free agent so won't be listed on the depth chart. It seems likely the Giants will make a QO. It seems like if he accepted it would be a good deal for both him and the Giants. They could also work out a 2-3 year contract at a lower AAV but his injury history is scary. That's the only think hold him back from very large multi-year deal.
MLB:
Wilmer Flores($3.5 M team option/$250 K buyout. Expect Giants to exercise option) Flores can play multiple positions. Giants could do worse than making him the RH side of a 1B platoon.
Darin Ruf(arbitration eligible, year 2. Projected arbitration award- $2.6 M). Ruf and Flores are similar players. Both kill LHP's and are decent against RHP's. After Belt got hurt, Ruf might have been the best hitter on the team! Seems like a no-brainer to tender him a contract.
Lamonte Wade Jr(Pre-arbitration; Options?). Wade Jr sure had a tremendous breakthrough season playing almost exclusively against RHP's. A couple of big holes in his swing emerged late in the season and postseason casting a cloud over how much the Giants can count on him for 2022.
AAA: No MLB caliber prospects. Jason Krizan played the most innings at 1B for the River Cats. I think he's a minor league FA.
AA: No MLB Caliber 1B prospects. David Villar played mostly 3B but most likely could move over to 1B.
A+:
Logan Wyatt- Lefty hitting 1B. OBP .386 but with a low BA and little power. Needs to hit for more power to be considered a serious MLB prospect at 1B.
Sean Roby- listed as 3B but played significant innings at 1B which is where his future probably lies. Hit just .241 but with 19 HR's. Future Value will increase significantly if NL adopts DH.
A: No MLB caliber 1B prospects in San Jose. Luis Toribio could move over from 3B in future. Toribio is another prospect whose future value increases if DH adopted.
Rookie:
Garrett Frechette(ACL)- Frechette is a major sleeper prospect for the Giants with a sweet swing. Hit .331 for his Arizona Complex League team.
Jacob Gonzalez(ACL)- Slashed .301/.360/.497 which is the right idea. He's just getting a bit long in the tooth for Rookie ball.
If Belt turns down the QO and the Giants can't work out a deal with him(personally I would not sign him for longer than 1 year), they will likely look on the free agent or trade market for a lefty hitting 1B. Anthony Rizzo, Kyle Schwarber or Yoshi Tsutsugo would be options.
You overlooked Frankie Tostato who had a very good season at Richmond. He is probably at this point the number one 1base prospect
ReplyDelete.730 OPS in a tough hitters league is decent, but I wouldn't say it was very good. By comparison, David Villar, who's only a few months older, put up .881 OPS. Putting Tostado as the #1 first-base prospect is like saying Halloween is the #1 holiday in October. As Doc said, moving Villar over to 1B is far likelier than Tostado ever making it to the show.
DeleteIf the Giants future first baseman is in the organization, I would put my money on Garrett Frechette.
DeleteAccording to Baseball Reference
ReplyDeleteWade: Service Time (01/2021): 1.046 • Arb Eligible: 2023 • Free Agent: 2026
I found that info, but it doesn't tell us what his option status is.
DeleteGiants optioned Wade in 2021, Twins in 2019 and 2020.
DeleteFWIW, Giants optioned Beede in '18, '19, and '21 and Duggar in '18, '20, and '21. Slater twice.
Given that there are various exceptions, I think one needs a Degree in Optionology to figure out the Options system.
Dubón may be out of Options also.
DeleteIsn't Schwarber more a LFer than a 1Bman?
ReplyDeletePretty similar to Ruf (except LHB), but more costly, more power, less contact, and a lot younger.
As a pull/power hitter, he might find the "new aerodynamics" at Oracle to his liking.
With Schwarber you get a Sandoval-type emergency catcher!
Posey might like it that Schwarber could be slower than he.
Spotrak rates him 3 years, $39 M.
Rather have BB9, but someone is likely to take a chance on him with a 3-year or even longer contract. Could live with 3 years for Schwarber.
Just looked up Villars numbers at Richmond, last season. WOW! Get him up here soon. Unfortunately, he's right handed, but he can also play at third base. Heir apparent to Longoria? Perhaps.
ReplyDelete