Kumar Rocker RHP was drafted #3 overall by the Rangers but all of the college hitters I listed as potential targets at #30 were still available. Kudos to Prospects Live, linked to the left for nailing the Giants first round pick, Reggie Crawford LHP/1B who was announced as a 2-way player by Rob Manfred. Part of my analysis came true in that Crawford missed all of the 2022 season with Tommy John surgery which is likely the only reason he was still available at #30. They also grabbed a highly rated college pitcher who fell due to a PED suspension. So the Giants cut across the grain of a college hitter heavy draft to take pitchers and they continue a run on pitching that started with last year's draft. Here is what I have on the top 2 picks.
Sunday, July 17, 2022
Scouting the 2022 Draft: Rounds 1 and 2
Round 1: Reggie Crawford LHP/1B. DOB: 12/4/2000. B-L, T-L. 6'4", 235lbs.
2021(hitting): .295/.349/.543, 13 HR, 2 SB, 17 BB, 58 K, 210 AB.
2021(pitching): 1-1, 2.35, 7.2 IP, 3 BB, 17 K.
Despite more college experience as a hitter, Crawford scouts better as a pitcher. Reportedly hit 100 MPH in a summer league game in 2021 before injuring his UCL in the fall. LHP's who can hit triple digits don't grow on trees, so it seems like that's what the Giants will and should try to develop first with 1B and hitting as the fallback plan. This is a case of the Giants philosophy of thumbing their nose at pitcher injury risk and going for upside/ceiling and it's real for Crawford.
Round 2: Carson Whisenhunt LHP. DOB: 10/20/2000. 6'3", 209 lbs.
2021: 6-2, 3.77, 62 IP, 22 BB, 79 K.
One of the higher rated college pitching prospects preseason but got slapped with a full year PED suspension. Scouting reports have him with a mid-90's FB, exceptional changeup and a curveball. Pitched this summer in the Cape Cod League and showed same stuff despite layoff.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 lefties...🤔...one from the Carolinas...🤗
ReplyDeletePicking this late it's tough to get a "safe pick" with a ton of upside, so I like them swinging for the fences when the team needs some star power. That said , there has been a ton of highlighting how bad this team has been at drafting in the first round so it really makes these risky picks even riskier IMO. That black stain on this front office is the first round of the draft and the lack of spending this off-season
ReplyDelete"Black stain" is maybe not the way I would describe it but when your firs round pick bust so spectacularly 3 years in a row it is definitely time to ask some questions and think about maybe changing up your approach. As for offseason spending, I also don't frame it that way. Lots of teams spend and don't all get results. Just ask Phillies fans what they think about spending. There were two needs FZ failed to address this offseason. One was the self-identified RH bat. The other was a seasoned closer to take pressure off a still developing Camilo Doval.
DeleteI agree with you, and history proves that most big FA contracts end up bad contracts. That said it's easy to see comments everywhere you go that fans were unhappy with are payroll, even grant has reported it a few times. "You may have to do something dumb to get a star". Can't be the runner up on every big free agent. If the team misses the playoffs while having a payroll outside the top 10 the fans have a very valid reason to be mad, and attendance has been in line with that.
DeleteLiked how the Giants swung for the fences with the Crawford pick. Good opportunity to do that with the last pick in round 1. FZ also involved previously picking a pitcher in the draft coming off of TJ surgery: walker Buehler. Good value with their 2nd round pick college LHP. Speaking of #1 picks Will Bednar has been on the injury list since mid June. Doc, I know you mentioned that he might be hurt although don't know what the injury is. If so, I tend to blame Bednars struggles more to bad luck vs bad drafting. The MLB draft is such a crapshoot anyway.
ReplyDeleteFans have the right to be unhappy if their team lack star power. Star players are not easy to get. I'd be ok as long as my team is winning. Another team that's head scratching and has 2 big stars are the Angels. They have Trout and Ohtani and are 10+games under 500. I'd be very frustrated if I was a halo fan.
ReplyDeleteI agree fans need players they can identify with which is why The Churn eventually has to produce some players that stick around awhile and give the fans some feeling of continuity if they want to keep getting butts in seats. Added bonus if they are superstars.
DeleteThe Farm system needs to produce players like that as well . Hopefully players like Bart, Ramos, Harrison, Luciano can develop into players who have long MLB careers with the Giants.
ReplyDelete