DrB's 2023 Giants Top 50 Prospects: Honorable Mention Part 5

William Kempner RHP.  DOB:  6/18/2001.  6'0", 222 lbs.  Drafted 2022 Round 3

2022(College):  2-1, 3.00, 36 IP, 12.0 K/9, 5.3 BB/9.

2022(2 levels):  1-0, 5.00, 9 IP, 11.0 K/9, 6.0 BB/9.

Kempner is from San Jose but went to college at Gonzaga.  Interesting that his college K/BB is almost identical to his pro debut, albeit SSS.  We'll see if a winter of tinkering by the Giants pitching mavens can lower the walk rate.

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Joe Kemlage LHP.  DOB:  1/19/1999.  6'1", 220 lbs.  NDFA 2021

2022(2 levels):  5-2, 3.41, 63.1 IP, 10.4 K/9, 4.4 BB/9.

Dominated the complex league but walk rate spiked after promotion to San Jose.

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Seth Lonsway LHP.  DOB:  10/7/1998.  6'2", 210 lbs.  Drafted 2021 round 6.

2022(A):  9-3, 4.06, 95.1 IP, 11.33 K/9, 4.81 BB/9, GB/FB= 3.67, 26 Games, 9 Starts, 1 Save.

Lonsway has always had terrific stuff going back to college.  Prone to bouts of wildness.  Could move up fast if he tames those.

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Carson Ragsdale RHP.  DOB:  5/25/1998.  6'8", 225 lbs.  Drafted 2020 round 4(Phillies).

2021(A):  8-6, 4.43, 113.2 IP, 13.22 K/9, 3.56 BB/9, xFIP= 4.03.

2022(ACL):  1-0, 0.00, 5.2 IP, 14.29 K/9, 4.76 BB/9.

Tall pitcher with an over-the-top delivery.  I've liked him from college days.  Missed most of season with thoracic outlet surgery.  I don't have any numbers but my impression is that outcomes from thoracic outlet surgery are not great.  It does not seem promising that all of his appearances came in the month of July.(found a report he left the July 26 game with an injury after facing 1 batter and did not pitch again the rest of the season.

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Garrett Frechette 1B.  DOB:  12/31/2000.  B-L, T-L.  6'3", 210 lbs.  Drafted 2019 Round 5

2022(A):  .255/.298/.346, 4 HR, 4.7 BB%, 24 K%, 408 PA.  

Big kid with a sweet swing.  Power has never come around.  3 true outcomes without the power is not a great profile for a hitter.

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Anyesber Sivira 2B.  DOB:  1/9/2000.  B-R, T-R.  5'9", 155 lbs.  International Sign 2016.

2022(2 levels):  .302/.388/.462, 6 HR, 18 BB, 45 K, 197 PA.  

Just 22 yo after kicking around the lower reaches of the Giants farm system seemingly forever.  Physically small and the BA is a bit empty.

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Logan Wyatt 1B.  DOB:  11/15/1997.  B-L, T-R.  6'4", 230 lbs.  Drafted 2019 Round 2.

2022(2 levels):  .213/.286/.245, 10 BB, 21 K, 105 PA.

Draws a lot of walks but with a low BA and has shown no power.  That's not going to play for a guy who is limited to 1B and DH.  Hate to give up on a 2'nd round draft pick but expectations have to be quite tempered at this point.

DrB's 2023 Top 50 Giants Prospects: Honorable Mention Part 4

Brett Standlee RHP.  DOB:  9/14/1998.  6'4", 223 lbs.  Drafted 2021 Round 17.

2022(A+):  3-2, 4.75, 53 IP, 10.36 K/9, 3.91 BB/9, 1 Start, 1 Save. 

Solid full season pro debut in swing role.  Some upside if he can bring walk rate down and normalize BABIP.

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Ty Weber RHP.  DOB:  3/19/1998.  6'4", 220 lbs.  NDFA 2020

2022(4 levels):  4-3, 3.71, 80 IP, 7.5 K/9, 1.9 BB/9, 3 Starts, 3 Saves.

Big RHP with excellent walk rate.  Most of 2022 numbers from A+ Eugene.

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Hayden Cantrelle 2B.  DOB:  11/25/1998.  B-S, T-R.  5'11", 175 lbs. Drafted 2020 round 5(Brewers).

2022(4 teams): .238/.401/.414, 6 HR, 19 SB, 320 PA.

Traded from the Brewers to the Marlins for Alex Jackson.  Released by the Marlins and signed with Giants as a minor league free agent in May 2022.  Patient hitter who draws walks with a bit of pop and speed.  Lots of K's too.  Does that profile play at higher levels?

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Damon Dues 2B.  DOB:  6/21/1998.  B-L, T-R.  6'0", 180 lbs.  NDFA 2021

2022(3 levels):  .384/.539/.500, 13 SB, 29 BB, 19 K's, 116 PA.  

Sensational OBP skills in SSS and at lower leves.  Can he sustain is at higher levels.

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Carter Williams OF.  DOB:  1/14/1998.  B-L, T- R.  6'3", 210 lbs.  NDFA 2020.

2022(A):  .386/.480/.614, 7 HR, 5 SB, 13.8 BB%, 13.3 K%, 196 PA.  

2022(A+):  .277/.308/.423, 4 HR, 3 SB, 4.8 BB%, 23.3 K%, 146 PA.

Probably not a good sign for Williams that he was sent down to San Jose just to fill a roster spot.  I think he's a sleeper in the system.  I like his size and apparent athleticism.

DrB's 2023 Giants Top 50 Prospects: Honorable Mention Part 3

Carter Aldrete IF.  DOB:  10/12/1997.  B-R, T-R.  6'2", 205 lbs.  Drafted 2019 Round 15.

2022(A+):  .289/.369/.545, 15 HR, 11.1 BB%, 21.5 K%, 279 PA.  

2022(AA):  .231/.277/.413, 6 HR, 6.4 BB%, 27.6 K%, 156 PA.

Nephew of Former Giant Mike Aldrete.  Improved his A+ line significantly over 2021.  Can he do same at AA in 2023?  Some pop in the bat if he can make enough contact.

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Riley Mahan 2B.  DOB:  12/31/1995.  B-L, T-R.  6'3", 220 lbs.  Drafted 2017 Round 3(Marlins).

2022(3 levels):  .261/.346/.482, 12 HR, 6 SB, 29 BB, 100 K, 293 PA.

Signed midseason last year as a minor league FA out of indy ball.  Athletic for size.  Some pop in his bat.  Has had trouble maintaining consistent contact.  Will see if he can pick up where he left off in AA Richmond.

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Sean Roby 3B/1B.  DOB:  7/8/1998.  B-R, T-R.  6'2", 215 lbs.  Drafted 2018 round 12.

2022(AA):  .219/.286/.481, 19 HR, 27 BB, 140 K, 353 PA.  

Light tower power but oh my!  That K/BB is ugly!

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Tyler Myrick RHP.  DOB:  6/23/1998.  6'0", 205 lbs.  Drafted 2021 Round 14.

2022(2 levels):  2-3, 3.38, 32 IP, 9.0 K/9, 3.5 BB/9, 6 Saves.

2022(AFL):  0-0, 1.50, 12 IP, 7.5 K/9, 3.8 BB/9, 3 Saves.

I saw him pitch in San Bernardino last season.  He's got some heat in the FB and a sharp slider.  Could move up fast on the reliever track.

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Mat Olson RHP.  DOB:  7/8/2000.  5'11", 185 lbs.  Drafted 2021 Round 9.

2022(2 levels):  8-1, 3.41, 58 IP, 12.9 K/9, 3.9 BB/9, 2 Saves.

Another guy moving up the reliever track.  Big time K rate.

DrB's 2023 Giants Top 50 Prospects: Honorable Mention Part 2

Bryce Johnson OF.  DOB:  10/27/1995.  B-S, T-R.  6'1", 195 lbs.  Drafted 2017 Round 6

2022(AAA):  .290/.369/.401, 5 HR, 31 SB, 9.4 BB%, 25.6 K%, 352 PA.  

2022(AAA):  .111/.158/.111, 5.3 BB%, 36.8 K%, 19 PA.

Tended to hot starts with second half fades early in his pro career.  Able to maintain performance through two full AAA seasons.  Looked overmatched in a cup of coffee last season.  No power, but intriguing combination of OBP and SB in minors.  If new rules favor SB's as much as some people seem to think, he could get another MLB look.

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Ismael Munguia OF.  DOB:  10/19/1998.  B-L, T-L.  5'10", 158 lbs.  

2022:  DNP- wrist injury

2021(A+):  .336/.366/.502, 9 HR, 15 SB, 3.6 BB%, 7.6 K%, 357 PA.

Physically small with little to no power.  Extreme contact guy, opposite of three-true-outcomes.  BABIP dependent as they say.  Hey!  If you can hit .336 swinging at bad pitches, why would you wait for a good one?  Remember Francisco Peguero?  Very similar batting line.

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Kai-Wei Teng RHP.  DOB:  12/1/1998.  6'4", 260 lbs.  

2022(AA):  6-12, 5.22, 136.1 IP, 11.16 K/9, 5.61 BB/9, GB/FB= 1.38, xFIP= 4.50.

Jumbo body.  Peripherals are better than ERA but a 5.22 ERA in the EL and being ignored in the Rule 5 Draft is not a good look.  

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Ryan Murphy RHP.  DOB:  10/8/1999.  6'1", 190 lbs.  Drafted 2020 Round 5.

2021(2 levels):  6-4, 2.52, 107.1 IP, 13.8 K/9, 2.2 BB/9.

2022(4 levels):  201, 4.68, 42.1 IP, 12.1 K/9, 4.9 BB/9.

Sleeper draft pick out of LeMoyne U in 2020.  Very impressive K/BB in 2021 pro debut.  Maintained a strong K rate in 2022 while battling injuries but BB rate rose dramatically.  Will stuff play at higher levels?

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Evan Gates RHP.  DOB:  1/13/1998.  6'0", 210 lbs.  NDFA 2021.

2022(3 levels):  5-2, 1.95, 11.1 K/9, 3.1 BB/9, 2 Saves.

Nice numbers so far.  Made it all the way to AA in his first full season on the reliever track.

Hot Stove Update: Giants DFA Tommy La Stella

In a somewhat surprising move today, the Giants formally declared Tommy La Stella 1B/DH to be a sunk cost and designated him for assignment despite owing him $11.5 M on a heavily backloaded final year of his 3-year contract.  A move was necessary to make room on the 40-man roster for Taylor Rogers LHP and was an indicator that the easy roster decisions have already been made.  I really thought the Giants would try to keep La Stella on the roster into spring training to see if he was healthy enough to play 2B.  There is another move coming up as soon as they formally sign Michael Conforto OF that will likely hurt more. 

The move does seem to create some clarity for the roster going forward which barring a trade or an unexpected free agent signing is likely close to set going into spring training.  The Giants are likely to carry 13 non-pitchers on the Opening Day active roster including Joc Pederson who will mainly DH leaving 5 OF's, 5 IF's and 2 C.  There appear to be 4 IF locks:  Brandon Crawford SS, Thairo Estrada 2B/SS, Wilmer Flores 3B/2B/1B and J.D. Davis 3B/1B.  Marco Luciano will certainly start the season in the minor leagues.  That leaves David Villar 3B/2B/1B, Isan Diaz 2B/SS? and Brett Wisely IF(he's played all 4 IF positions in the minors).  All 3 have options so there is room to add another infielder to the roster and still keep all three.  One option would be to swing Lamonte Wade Jr between the OF and 1B which would allow them to carry Blake Sabol OF/C who cannot be optioned due to his Rule 5 Draft status.

Here is how the 13 non-pitching roster spots might play out to maximize player capital:

Catchers:  Joey Bart, Austin Wynns

IF:  J.D. Davis 3B, Brandon Crawford SS, Thairo Estrada 2B, Wilmer Flores 1B/3B/2B/DH, Lamonte Wade Jr 1B

OF:  Mitch Haniger RF, Michael Conforto LF, Mike Yastrzemski CF, Austin Slater CF/LF, RF and Blake Sabol LF

DH/LF Joc Pederson.

Of course we'll see who gets DFA'd when they formally sign Conforto but I think it will most likely be one of 3 pitchers: Yunior Marte RHP, Sam Long LHP or Thomas Szapucki LHP.

DrB's 2023 Giants Top 50 Prospects: Honorable Mention Part 1

Spencer Bivens RHP.  DOB:  6/28/1994.  6'5", 205 lbs.  

2022(A):  2-1, 2.70, 30 IP, 18 BB BB, 36 K.  2022(AAA):  1-1, 6.75, 13.1 IP, 4 BB, 12 K.  2022(AFL):  0-0, 0.87, 10.1 IP, 5 BB, 11 K.  

Spencer Bivens is quite a story and someone you will definitely want to root for.  Undrafted out of someplace called Rogers State University in Oklahoma at age 24 in 2018, he scuffled with multiple indy league teams from 2020-2021.  Something must have clicked in 2022 at age 28 and he was lights out for two more indy league teams before the Giants signed him.  He pitched will for A San Jose, got hit a bit after a promotion to AAA but then was lights out again in the AFL.  

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Raymond Burgos LHP.  DOB:  11/29/1998.  6'5", 170 lbs.  

2022(A+- Guardians):  8-3, 2.08, 65 IP, 9.28 K/9, 3.05 BB/9, 1 Save.  

Signed this offseason as a minor league free agent.  Burgos is a TJ survivor who struggled to stay healthy as a SP in the Guardians organization.  He broke out in 2022 in a bullpen role with a 3-pitch mix that allows him to work multiple innings per appearance.  He will try to impress the Giants enough to get added to the 40-man roster at some point.  He has an invitation to spring training.

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Joey Marciano LHP.  DOB:  1/11/1995.  6'5", 250 lbs. Drafted 2017 Round 36

2022(AAA):  4-2, 4.12, 59 IP, 9.46 K/9, 5.03 BB/9, 9 Saves.

Slooowly worked his way up the organization.  Last year's numbers not terrible considering how unfriendly the PCL is to pitchers.  Obviously needs to get the walk rate down.

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Kade McClure RHP.  DOB:  2/13/1996.  6'7", 220 lbs.  Drafted 2017 Round 6(White Sox)

2022(AAA- White Sox):  4-4, 4.97, 87 IP, 9.93 K/9, 2.90 BB/9, 5 Starts, 1 Save.

Giants acquired him this offseason in a waiver trade for Gregory Santos RHP.  Terrific size.  Pitched well in a Jack-of-all-trades swingman for the ChiSox AAA team in 2022.  Will try to take the next step to a 40-man roster spot and possibly even a callup to Oracle Park with the Giants in 2023.

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Michael Stryffeller RHP.  DOB:  5/22/1996.  6'2", 210 lbs.  

2022(AA- Mariners):  1-3, 2.27, 35.2 IP, 14.38 K/9, 4.79 BB/9, 14 Saves.

2022(AAA-Giants):  0-2, 7.88, 16 IP, 14.06 K/9, 9.56 BB/9.  

Came over to the Giants in a deadline trade along with Andy Thomas C for Curt Casali C and Matthew Boyd LHP.  Like many a pitcher who has come before, he struggled mightily in the AAA PCL environment after a successful Closer gig in AA.  He'll try to improve on that in 2023.

DrB's 2023 Giants Top 50 Prospects: Sean Hjelle

 Sean Hjelle RHP.  DOB:  5/7/1997.  6'11", 228 lbs.

2022 AAA:  6-9, 4.92, 97 IP, 7.42 K/9, 3.53 BB/9, GB/FB= 2.40.

2022 MLB:  1-2, 5.76, 25 IP, 10.08 K/9, 2.88 BB/9, GB/FB= 3.54, FIP= 3.51, xFIP= 2.72.

Other prospect rankings seem to think Sean Hjelle has graduated to the major leagues and I guess I assumed that too. He is not ranked in the Giants top 30 prospects by MLB Pipeline and I don't see him on any other lists either, but he's only pitched 25 innings at the MLB level and it looks like he has not exceeded the maxium allowed active roster days.  Baseball Reference states he has not exceeded rookie eligibility.  So, let's go ahead and profile Sean Hjelle who I would definitely rank in the top 10 Giants prosepects, possibly as high as #3 or 4.  

Sean Hjelle was a Friday starter for a major college program, Kentucky.  He was drafted in Round 2 by the Giants in 2018, has worked his way up the organizational ladder and saw significant action in the major leagues in 2022.  

Hjelle presents a unique physical challenge for hitters as he is tied for being the tallest MLB player in history. If he every makes the Giants starting rotation, he will be the tallest SP in MLB history.  He adds to his height advantage with an over-the-top delivery which gives him an extreme downhill plane on his pitches.  He has a 3-pitch mix:  FB averages 94 MPH and he must release it at least a foot closer to home plate than the average pitcher.  Slider which is a nice strikeout pitch and a changeup with some fade.

He uses the downhill plane to induce an extreme groundball rate.  Coupled with the double digit K/9 and low BB/9, that is a profile that should play at the MLB level.  One curiosity is he never achieved anything close to those K and BB rates in the minors which may cause some analysts to dismiss his MLB numbers as a sample size aberration although the Giants major league pitching coaches are now famous for finding tweaks that boost performance.  

I understand the need for pitching depth but I find it frustrating the Giants are signing free agents and counting on bouncebacks when they have a rook in-house who appears poised to break out.  Even more frustrating is in all of the discussions I've read about Giants pitching depth, I have yet to see Hjelle so much as mentioned even once.  Here's hoping this unique talent gets a fair chance to establish himself as a MLB SP or at least bulk innings guy in 2023.

DrB's 2023 Giants Top 50 Prospects

For better or worse, here is my final 2023 Giants Top 50 Prospects list.  I appreciate the suggestions after the preliminary list.  This list reflects some of those excellent points.  I added Will Wilson and Will Bednar.  I'm probably putting this out a few days too soon since we still have to see who gets dropped from the 40-man roster after Micheal Conforto OF and Taylor Rogers LHP formally sign, but with The Churn always active, there is always a risk of a drop or trade messing with the list.  I would say the list is still thin at the top, mostly due to disappointing performances by first round draft picks, but much deeper than in recent years due to strong performances by lower round picks, NDFA's, international prospects and of course The Churn.

1.  Kyle Harrison LHP

2.  Marco Luciano SS

3.  Casey Schmitt 3B

4.  Carson Whisenhunt LHP

5.  Luis Matos OF

6.  Reggie Crawford LHP/1B/DH

7.  Aeverson Arteaga SS

8.  Grant McCray OF

9.  Vaun Brown OF

10.  Patrick Bailey C

11.  Jairo Pomares LF

12.  Mason Black RHP

13.  Landon Roupp RHP

14.  Carson Seymour RHP

15.  Will Wilson SS

16.  Heliot Ramos OF

17.  Cole Waites RHP

18.  R. J. Dabovich RHP

19.  Trevor McDonald RHP

20.  Jose Cruz RHP

21.  Eric Silva RHP

22.  Adrian Sugastey C

23.  Will Bednar RHP

24.  Blake Sabol OF/C

25.  Randy Rodriguez RHP

26.  Keaton Winn RHP

27.  Brett Wisely IF

28.  Tristan Beck RHP

29.  Matt Mikulski LHP

30.  Chris Wright LHP

31.  Brett Auerbach UT

32.  Tyler Fitzgerald SS

33.  Nick Swiney LHP

34.  Nick Zwack LHP

35.  Juan Sanchez LHP

36.  Andy Thomas C

37.  Wade Meckler OF

38.  Victor Bericoto OF/1B

39.  Nick Sinacola RHP

40.  Alexander Suarez OF

41.  Diego Velasquez SS

42.  P. J. Hilson OF

43.  Anthony Rodriguez SS

44.  Mikell Manzano RHP

45.  Nomar Medina LHP

46.  Gerelmi Maldonado RHP

47.  Zack Morgan C

48.  Jared Dupere OF

49.  Mauricio Pierre OF

50.  Hunter Bishop OF

Honorable Mention:  Spencer Bivens RHP, Raymond Burgos LHP, Joey Marciano LHP, Kade McClure RHP, Michael Stryfeller RHP, Bryce Johnson OF, Ismael Munguia OF, Kai-Wei Teng RHP, Ryan Murphy RHP, Evan Gates RHP, Carter Aldrete IF, Riley Mahan 2B, Sean Roby 3B/1B, Tyler Myrick RHP, Mat Olsen RHP, Brett Standlee RHP, Ty Weber RHP, Hayden Cantrelle 2B, Damon Dues 2B, Carter Williams OF, William Kempner RHP, Joe Kemlage RHP, Seth Lonsway LHP, Carson Ragsdale RHP, Garrett Frechette 1B, Anyesber Sivira 2B, Logan Wyatt 1B.

I am still open to editing the list if someone points out a glaring omission.  Otherwise I always add a name or two to the HM list.  We will shortly start working through list posting profiles of each prospect on an almost daily basis hoping to finish around the start of spring training.  

Scouting the 2023 MLB Draft: Walker Jenkins

Walker Jenkins OF(HS).  DOB:  2/29/2005.  B-L, T-R.  6'3", 205 lbs.

Big athletic kid with 5 tools.  May not be quite fast enough for CF but has more than enough bat and arm to play RF.  Throws 93 MPH from the OF with 93 MPH exit velocity.  Keeps elbow in on swings which allows him to get around and pull inside pitches but with enough natural power to drive the ball the opposite way.  North Carolina commit.   Reportedly a hard worker with plus makeup.

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We've profiled enough draft prospects to start a draft board.  Reminder the Giants pick #16 so these early dudes may not be available for them.

1.  Dylan Crews OF(College).  Best all-around player in the draft.

2.  Chase Dollander RHP(College)- Best pitcher in the draft by a pretty big margin.

3.  Wyatt Langford OF(College)- Top power bat in the draft.

4.  Max Clark OF(HS)- Possibly top hit tool in he draft with 4 other plus tools.

5.  Jacob Gonzalez(College)- Top SS in the draft by a solid margin.

6.  Paul Skenes RHP/1B/DH(College)- Top 2-way player in draft but projects as a pitcher in the pros.

7.  Walker Jenkins OF(HS)- More present power than Max Clark, Clark as the better hit tool, IMO.

Hot Stove League Update: Giants To Sign Taylor Rogers

 OK then, the Giants definitely move on from Carlos Correa.  Minutes after reports of them signing Michael Conforto OF, they reportedly agree to a 3 yr/$33 M deal with Taylor Rogers LHP who happens to be the twin brother of Tyler Rogers RHP who we all know as a submarining Giants reliever.  

Taylor Rogers LHP.  DOB:  12/17/1990.  6'3", 190 lbs.  

2022(2 teams):  4-8, 4.76, 64.1 IP, 2.7 BB/9, 11.8 K/9, 31 Saves.  

Rogers is a lefty-killer but with enough juice agains RH batters to be a Closer for much of his career.  He struggled after a blockbuster deadline trade that sent him from the Padres to the Brewers for Josh Hader LHP when he suddenly gave up a whole lot of HR's.  The Giants are obviously betting that is an aberration.  If he returns to career averages, he really solidifies the Giants bullpen.  I am guessing he will co-close with Camilo Doval RHP depending on which side of the plate scheduled batters are hitting from.  

With this signing, the Giants are now likely close to finishing the offseason FZ wanted all along.  It's a solid offseason that fans should be excited about, albeit without the shiny superstar free agent that sells tickets and shirseys.

Hot Stove League Update: Giants To Sign Michael Conforto?

 I just woke up and was sitting down to write a post about where the Giants go from here which was basically slow down and see what guys like David Villar, J. D. Davis and Lamonte Wade Jr can do before you go blocking them with another "name" they overpay for.  Then I opened up MLBTR and the first story is Giants, Michael Conforto Agree To Two-Year Deal.  WTF?  Now, I can't say this is totally unexpected.  Conforto and the Giants have been a fit from Opening Day of the Hot Stove League Season.  Outfielder?  Check!  Lefty hitter to complement Mitch Haniger?  Check!  Looking for a short term deal?  Check!  Coming off an injur......wait, what?  On top of that Conforto is a Scott Boras client...and ht last played for the who don't want him anymore!  So much for the notion that Scott Boras and his clients won't deal with the Giants anymore.  As Ahmed Fareed put it, "Boras to the #SFGiants to bid $350M for Correa in a market that settled at $315M.  Something tells me he won't be stopping any of his future free agents from talking with SF."  And well, he didn't.

The Giants have now gambled a total of $84 M over 2 years to two players who have spend more time injured than healthy.  Granted that is 11 years/$266 M less than they were on the hook with Correa for but still.....but OK, let's break this down and see how it works, or doesn't for the Giants.  

Michael Conforto OF.  DOB:  3/1/1993.  B-L, T-R.  6'1", 215 lbs.  Drafted 2014 Round 1(#10 overall).  

2019(Mets):  .257/.363/.494, 33 HR, 7 SB, 13.0 BB%, 23.0 K%, 648 PA, 4.4 fWAR.

2020(Mets):  .322/.412/.515, 9 HR, 3 SB, 10.2 BB%, 24.5 K%, 233 PA, 2.0 fWAR.

2021(Mets):  .232/.344/.384, 14 HR, 12.3 BB%, 21.7 K%, 479 PA, 1.4 fWAR.

2022:  DNP.  Shoulder injury suffered while working out in offseason.

The upside here is obvious as is the risk.  To me his 2021 season is more worrisome than the injury although the two together are double worrisome.  In regard to 2021, Conforto had turned down a $100 M contract extension then got off to a slow start and had a terrible first half.  He rebounded with a strong second half and reportedly had a very emotional moment when he made a diving catch to end what was probably his final season as a Met amid a standing ovation from the fans.  2021 was a very downer year for the Mets in general and I'm thinking his impending free agency may have had him pressing in the first half.

Doing a bit of rosterbating here, it seems to me Conforto fits best in LF with Haniger in RF and YtY in CF with Austin Slater as the 4'th OF.  It seems like the odd man out is either Lamonte Wade Jr, Blake Sabol or both.  I've always liked Conforto ever since he was a star for Oregon State.  If he and Mitch Haniger stay healthy and even play to their career averages, the Giants will have a pretty good team in 2023, but there is a lot of risk here, albeit much shorter term than with Carlos Correa.

Here are some fun facts about Michael Conforto(per Wikipedia):

He is from Seattle, WA.  

His nickname is Scooter

His mother is Tracie Ruiz Conforto who is a 3-time Olympic Champion in Synchronized Swimming.  

His Father, Mike, played inside linebacker for Penn State.

His sister, Jacqueline, played soccer for Azusa Pacific U.

Hot Stove Update: Giants Complete Waiver Trade

Remember that Gregory Santos RHP was DFA'd off the Giants 40-man roster to make room for Sean Manaea LHP?  Well, he was.  The Giants were able to work out a trade with trade with the White Sox for Cade McClure RHP who is an interesting prospect.

Cade McClure RHP.  DOB:  2/12/1996.  6'7", 220 lbs.  Drafted 2017 Round 6.

2022(AAA):  4-4, 4.97, 87 IP, 9.93 K/9, 2.90 BB/9, 1 Save, xFIP= 4.21.  

McClure's scouting report says his FB goes 92-95 MPH with a slider he uses as a putaway pitch and a changeup that needs work.  He is excellent against RH batters but the subpar changeup causes him to struggle against LH batters.  Love the size.  Love the low BB rate for a tall guy.  Maybe the Giants pitching magicians can help him work on that changeup?  I would think we'll get a glimpse or two in spring training.  

2019 Draft Review: Did the Giants Blow the Tenth Overall Pick?

 As a quality analyst in the medical field, I have a motto:  One is an event.  Two is a trend.  Three is a pattern.  As early as a year ago, I started posting about a potential troubling trend of poor decisions in the draft since Farhan Zaidi assumed the role of President of Baseball Operations aka "GM".  In fairness, poor draft outcomes under Bobby Evans was part of why he was fired, but improved drafting had to be one of the goals ownership had in mind for the new regime.  I reviewed the Giants drafts under Bobby Evans and concluded the fails, at least from first round draft picks, were more due to where the Giants drafted than to drafting mistakes as very few players drafted in the 10-15 slots after the Giants were any more successful than the Giants picks.  

After four years of drafts under FZ, the ongoing failure of Giants first round draft picks is starting to gain national attention.  Just yesterday I read one review who pointed out that the Blue Jays drafted Alek Manoah RHP at #11 in 2019, just one pick after Hunter Bishop OF.  Now, I liked Alek Manoah in the 2019 draft and would have been happy if the Giants drafted him, but I had Bishop ranked higher and if it was my decision to make, I would have drafted Bishop.  I tend to give drafting teams a pass if there is just one "coulda, shoulda, woulda" player taken in subsequent picks but if they made the only "bad" pick in draft that was subsequently stronger, then something went wrong in the draft process.  With that in mind, let's review the 2019 draft and see if we can see what went wrong.  

Obviously, the Giants had no control over players picked ahead of them so we'll list them without analysis:

1.  Adley Rutschman C, Orioles 

2.  Bobby Witt Jr. SS, Royals

3.  Andrew Vaughn 1B, White Sox

4.  JJ Bleday OF, Marlins

5.  Riley Greene OF, Tigers

6.  CJ Abrams SS, Padres

7.  Nick Lodolo LHP, Reds

8.  Josh Jung 3B, Rangers

9.  Shea Langeliers C, Braves

Rutschman is obviously going to be a huge star for the O's and Langeliers, who was traded to the A's, is looking good enough for them to trade Sean Murphy this Hot Stove League season.  In between, several listed players made their MLB debut with varying success.  We all know where we stand with Hunter Bishop as the #10 overall pick.  A combination of multiple injuries, the lost 2020 season to COVID 19 and an extreme "three true outcomes" approach left him stuck struggling to find traction in A+ ball and unprotected and unselected in the Rule 5 Draft.  What about the rest of the first round picks?  What has become of them in the intervening 4 seasons?  Let's break it down:

11.  Alek Manoah RHP, Blue Jays.  2022(MLB):  10-7, 2.24, 196.2 IP, 51 BB, 180 K.  Ace level pitcher!  Yes, the Giants could have drafted him, but I don't think many analysts were predicting anything close to this level of success for him in scouting reports.

12.  Brett Baty 3B, Mets.  2022(AA/AAA):  .315/.410/.533, 19 HR, 420 PA.  2022(MLB):  .184/.244/.342, 2 HR, 42 PA.  Widely considered an signability overdraft, Baty has progressed nicely through the minor leagues and raked at AA/AAA in 2022.  His MLB debut did not go so well but it was a SSS and he looks like a future star.

13.  Keoni Cavaco SS, Twins.  2022(A+):  .231/.275, 397, 11 HR, 7 SB, 396 PA.  Late riser in the 2019 draft.  Widely considered a raw toolsy project.  So far, that is not looking so good for the Twins, although too early to be considered a bust.

14.  Bryson Stott SS, Phillies.  2022(MLB):  .234/.295/.358, 10 HR, 12 SB, 466 PA, fWAR= 1.4.  Stott is the guy I mock drafted to the Giants but I had Bishop ranked higher on my draft board.  He was the starting SS for an NL champion Phillies team last season with decent results for a rook, but Trea Turner now the SS in Philly.

15.  Will Wilson SS, Angels.  2022(3 levels):  .250/.346/.452, 13 HR, 289 PA.  FZ essentially bought himself a second first-round draft pick from the 2019 draft by attaching Wilson to the Zack Cozart trade.  Wilson has struggled since coming over to the Giants organization then broke a hamate bone just as he seemed to be gaining some traction last season.  Could still be a major leaguer as early as 2023, but it's also probably a make-or-break season for him.

16.  Corbin Carroll OF, D'Backs.   2022(minor leagues):  .307/.425/.610, 24 HR, 31 SB, 442 PA.  2022(MLB):  .260/.330/.500, 4 HR, 2 SB.  Corbin Carroll is an example of why I believe it's best to shoot for the best player available in the first round and let the rest of the draft take care of itself.  Yes, Grant McCray is a nice overslot pick in round 3, but right now we would prefer to have a Corbin Carroll in the Giants organization than Bishop, Wilson and McCray combined.

17.  Jackson Rutledge RHP, Nationals.  Struggling in the lower minors.

18.  Quinn Priester RHP, Pirates.  Pitched well through 4 levels including AAA last year.  Should make MLB debut in 2023

19.  Zack Thompson LHP, Cardinals.  2.08 ERA in 34.2 IP for the Cards MLB team in 2022.

20.  George Kirby RHP, Mariners.  Established MLB SP.

Out of the next 10 players drafted after Bishop at #10, 6 have reached the major leagues.  One is an established ace level pitcher(Manoah), one is a solid rotation SP(Kirby),  One looks like a sure thing future start(Carroll).  Cavaco and Rutledge are the only two likely busts.  

Bishop put up great numbers in college and was ranked highly on most draft boards, but there were at least a couple of red flags:  A high K rate and a pronounced dropoff in performance against better competition.  It would be interesting to know the Giants internal scouting report and discussions here but it appears the 2019 draft was a missed opportunity to significantly upgrade the organizational talent level.

Hot Stove Update: Correa Won't Be A Giant. Signs With Mets.

 As the late Raiders radio announcer Bill King would say, Holy Toledo!  There was just something that felt vaguely ominous about the way the last minute cancellation of the press conference to announce the Giants signing of Carlos Correa SS went down yesterday.  Turns out our worst fears came true. The deal is cancelled.  Apparently the Giants are the ones who pulled out over a medical issue.  Before the evening was over, Correa signed with the Mets for 12 years/$312 M or 1 yr/$38 M less than the agreement with the Giants.  

At this time, it is not known what the medical issue was.  Beat writer Susan Slusser stated the doctors disagreed.  It's a bit unclear what that means.  Did the doctors hired by the Giants disagree with Correa's docs?  Dld Giants non-medical personnel disagree with the docs?  We may never know.  I don't recall anything close to this happening with a major free agent contract before.  The history of players who fail post-draft physicals does not bode well for Correa or the Mets.  He has a history of missing time with a variety of injuries although none besides a back issue seemed likely to be a dealbreaker on a contract.  

Only time will tell if this turns out to be a dodged bullet for the Giants and their fans.  In the short term it is an unmitigated disaster.  There are no comparable players left on the free agent market.  The Giants just went from being a team that could compete with any team in MLB to a likely non-playoff contender with no way to make up the lost ground.  Longer term, the Giants were already perceived as an organization which struggled to attract top end free agent talent.  Will future free agents look at this as treachery and another reason to put them on their Do Not Go There list?  We may analyze the ripple effects of this non-deal for many years to come.

Hot Stove Update: Is the Correa Deal In Trouble?

 Wow!  Just about three hours before the scheduled formal announcement of the Carlos Correa SS signing, the Giants put out a terse e-mail saying it was cancelled without explanation.  Beat writer Susan Slusser seems to be the closest to having inside information.  She says it's due to a medical issue which apparently turned up in the standard physical exam, but is not related to his historic back injury.  AP reported that an issue was "flagged" in the physical and the Giants are awaiting the results of "testing."  While this could be something as simple as an acute respiratory infection and a COVID test, the sense here is that it is a longer term issue, but both sides are understandably extremely tight lipped and apparently not leaking any sensitive info.  

I would think that both sides would be highly motivated to get this deal done one way or another.  Even with Scott Boras as his agent, I am sure Correa does not want to reenter the free agent market with the specter of a serious medical problem hanging over his head.  It would be disastrous for the Giants if the deal fails for obvious reasons.  Still, I think there is a non-zero chance the deal falls apart with Correa re-entering the free agent market and the Giants left with a failed Hot Stove League season and yet another reason why frontline free agents might avoid them in the future.

Dr B's Preliminary 2023 Giants Top 50 Prospects

Here is a PRELIMINARY list of my 2023 Giants Top 50 Prospects.  As always, please don't get too hung up on exact ranking.  The may purpose of the exercise is to get to know the prospects in the Giants minor league system a little better.  I do want feedback if I missed any obvious high rankers.  It is more challenging to rank FZ's farm system than Sabes/Evans due to The Churn and relatively high turnover in the upper levels of the system.  As far as I know, everyone on this list is still in the Giants organization.  The struggles of several highly drafted prospects along with unexpected early success of lower draftees and undrafted free agents adds to the ranking challenge.  

1.  Kyle Harrison LHP

2.  Marco Luciano SS 

3.  Casey Schmitt 3B

4.  Carson Whisenhunt LHP

5.  Luis Matos OF

6.  Reggie Crawford LHP/1B/DH

7.  Aeverson Arteaga SS

8.  Grant McCray OF

9.  Vaun Brown OF

10.  Patrick Bailey C

11.  Jairo Pomares LF

12.  Mason Black RHP

13.  Landon Roupp RHP

14.  Carson Seymour RHP

15.  Heliot Ramos OF

16.  Cole Waites RHP

17.  R. J. Dabovich RHP

18.  Trevor McDonald RHP

19.  Jose Cruz RHP

20.  Eric Silva RHP

21.  Adrian Sugastey C

22.  Blake Sabol OF/C

23.  Randy Rodriguez RHP

24.  Keaton Winn RHP

25.  Brett Wisely IF

26.  Tristan Beck RHP

27.  Matt Mikulski LHP

28.  Chris Wright LHP

29.  Brett Auerbach C/UT

30.  Tyler Fitzgerald SS

31.  Nick Swiney LHP

32.  Nick Zwack LHP

33.  Juan Sanchez LHP

34.  Andy Thomas C

35.  Mikell Manzano RHP

36.  Zack Morgan C

37.  Victor Bericoto OF/1B

38.  Diego Velasquez SS

39.  Wade Meckler OF

40.  Alexander Suarez OF

41.  P. J. Hilson OF

42.  Anthony Rodriguez SS

43.  Mauricio Pierre OF

44.  Nomar Medina LHP

45.  Miguel Mora RHP

46.  Gerelmi Maldonado RHP

47.  Nick Sinacola RHP

48.  Bryce Johnson OF

49.  Jared Dupree OF

50.  Hunter Bishop OF

Scouting the 2023 Draft: Paul Skenes RHP/1B/DH

 Paul Skenes RHP/1B/DH(College).  DOB:  5/29/2002.  B-R, T-R.  6'6", 235 lbs.

2022(Air Force):  10-3, 2.73, 85.2 IP, 30 BB, 96 K.

2022(Air Force):  .314/.412/.634, 13 HR, 21 BB, 40 K, 182 PA.  

Intriguing 2-way player who transferred to LSU for his junior season.  Scouting reports from fall practice are off the charts and his stock is rising fast.  He's a strong hitter with power but projects to be drafted as a pitcher.  Upper 90's FB touches triple digits backed by a wipeout slider and power changeup per MLB Pipeline.  Imposing physical size.  Prospects Live currently has him ranked at #16 and several mock drafts have him going to the Giants, but MLB Pipeline just released their preseason list and have him at #4 which is way out of reach for the Giants.  

Hot Stove League Update: Hot Stove Running Out of Fuel

Wow!  Did this year's Hot Stove burn hot and fast, or what?  The big contracts keep dropping and the stove is fast running out of fuel.  Yes, there are some under-the-radar deals still to be had and the trade market might come to life as the free agent market dries up, but this Hot Stove League season is getting close to being in the books and we're still about 2 months from the start of spring training.   

We can all breath a sigh of relief that Dansby Swanson SS is not going to be Dodger.  The Cubs are widely reported to be finalizing a contract for 7 yr/$177 M.  BTW, did you know Dansby Swanson had a higher WAR last year than Carlos Correa?  He's about a year older than Correa but his contract is for 6 fewer years and about $ 2 M AAV.  Good signing by the Cubs.  The Cubs need Cody Bellinger OF/1B and Jameson Taillon RHP to mount comebacks.  If they do, they will be a much improved team in 2023.

The Dodgers signed J. D. Martinez DH to a 1 yr/$10 M contract.  Martinez is entering his age 35 season and is pretty much limited to DH'ing these days but still has some pop in his bat.  Look for the Dodgers to sign a few more value contracts before the Hot Stove completely dies out.  I understand they still have a ton of talent on that team but unless some prospects step up, they are noticeably weaker than last season, particularly with the loss of Trea Turner SS.

Andrew Benintendi OF signed a 5 yr/$75 M contract with the White Sox.  I like the Giants chances with LMJ and Blake Sabol over that contract any day.

Hot Stove League Update: Giants Sign Minor League Free Agent

 Remember those 9 players the Giants lost in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 Draft?  There are not rostering or return requirements in the minor league portion so those players aren't coming back.  We can expect to see quite a few minor league free agent signings over the next couple of months to replace them.

Nick Duron RHP.  DOB:  1/30/1996.  6'4", 190 lbs.  Drafted by the Red Sox 2015 Round 31.

2022 Phillies:  0-0, 0.00, 1 IP, 0 BB, 1 K.

AAA(Phillies):  4-7, 2.77, 48.2 IP, 29 BB, 63 K.  

Standard reliever profile. Hard thrower.  Lots of K's and lots of walks.  His 1 inning of MLB service time came on a Phillies trip to Toronto replacing an unvaccinated player.  MLBTR reports his FB velocity was 97 MPH in that appearance.  The Giants potentially have MLB openings in the bullpen out of spring training but he will more likely serve as organizational depth in Sacramento to start the season.

Scouting the 2023 Draft: Wyatt Langford OF

 Wyatt Langford OF(College).  DOB:  11/15/2001.  B-R, T-R.  6'1", 225 lbs.

2022(Florida):  .356/.447/.719, 26 HR, 7 SB, 36 BB(11.9%), 44 K(14.5%), 303 PA.

Powerful, muscular build but with athleticism.  Swing is compact, short to the ball.  Keeps front elbow bent.  Scouting reports say arm is fringy so may be limited to LF but the bat should be more than enough to play there. Dylan Crews might be a better all around player and hitter but Langford is the premier power hitting prospect in the draft.

Hot Stove League Update: Rodon to Yanks; Thor to Dodgers

No big surprise here but the Yankees signed Carlos Rodon LHP for $162 M for 6 injury plagued years.  The Giants end up with one 6.2 fWAR season and a compensation draft pick that comes after Competitive Balance Round B.  In other words, the equivalent of an early third round draft pick.  If this seems like meager compensation, remember that FZ does not value the draft pick itself nearly as much as the extra bonus pool money that comes with it which allows him to manipulate the draft.  Whether that is actually a good draft strategy or not is debatable but that's the FZ way.  Meanwhile, the Giant pitching wizards will go to work and try to coax another 4-6 WAR out of Sean Manaea LHP and/or Ross Stripling RHP.

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In an obvious move, the Dodgers signed Thor to a 1 year contract to rebuild his value.  He was not so Thor-like last season as he struggled to adjust to a pedestrian average velocity of 94.5 MPH with command issues, particularly of his secondary pitches.  Like the Giants of recent years, Dodgers are generally quite good at rebuilding pitching careers so watch out for Thor next season.

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Turns out nobody actually talked to Brandon Crawford SS about moving off SS in case of a major SS free agent signing.  Yikes!  Craw is no dummy though and says he is prepared to help in any way he can and understands it's not going to be at shortstop.

Thoughts on Carlos Correa and Giants Future

An impatient and anxious Giants fanbase let out a collective sigh of relief last night as word quickly spread that Giants ownership finally made good on their postseason promise to sign either Aaron Judge or one of the elite shortstops on the free agent market.  Technically they didn't promise that but they certainly raised the expectation with their fans.   These are signings GM's and owners should not take lightly.  They can make or break a franchise.  You don't sign just any player to such a contract and you don't do in in reaction to one bad season or to win in any one year.  It is a longterm investment in a player who you build a long term team structure around, who will be the "Face of the Franchise" if you will.  There are usually not more than one or two such players available in any single year, some years none are available.  Bryce Harper was such a player.  The Giants seriously tried to sign him.  Aaron Judge is such a player.  They seriously tried to sign him.  Carlos Correa is such a player.  They signed him!  While you could make a case that Trea Turner is a better player than Correa right now, I believe Correa was the premium player at the premium position available, both in last year's market and this years.  He is younger than Turner and I think his size will allow him to more successfully transition to a less premium position when the inevitable time comes for that.  In short, it was a smart signing by the Giants and one that will define the franchise for at least the next 10 years.

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Correa's signing creates an awkward situation for Brandon Crawford who is by far the best shortstop in the modern history of the franchise and someone who deserves deference and respect from the organization.  The problem for the Giants after Judge spurned their offer was that next year's free agent market in general and at SS in particular is nowhere near comparable.  They had to make their big move this year or wait for some future year that might not come.  Fortunately, it sounds like this was all worked out with him ahead of time and the plan is for Crawford to move to 3B for what will likely be his last season as a Giant and possibly as a MLB player.  While there is no doubt Crawford can handle 3B defensively and will probably be a defensive upgrade, his bat was a liability at SS last year and will likely be more so at 3B, so it's not a perfect solution by any stretch.  This likely means J. D. Davis starts at 1B, David Villar starts the season with an option to AAA Sacramento with Crawford and Wilmer Flores in a L-R platoon at 3B.  Doest that mean they keep Casey Schmitt in AA for more seasoning or would they consider using the option to move Villar to the OF?  Whatever they have to do, I want to see Villar's bat get a fair chance for the Giants at the MLB level.

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While there is still talk of pursuing Carlos Rodon and another OF, I think the heavy lifting of the offseason is done and Farhan will sit back and let the market come to him for any additional moves.  I do not see any available dramatic upgrades to the OF.  The starting rotation seems set and with more than adequate depth.  The one area where FZ should try to upgrade is the bullpen, but again, I think he can let the market come to him there too.

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On a personal note, this news triggered an existential crisis last night when folks started posting how old they will at the end of Correa's 13 year contract.  Me?  I will be 79 years old, God willing.  OMG!  I had to face the real possibility that I may not even be around to see the end of the contract!  The corollary is why would I be fret about what what the contract looks like by then?  It's not my money and I might not be here to worry about it being a drag on the roster.

Late Breaking Hot Stove League News: Giants Sign Carlos Correa!

 Late word from multiple reliable sources have the Giants agreeing to terms with Carlos Correa SS for 13 yrs/$350 M.  Wow!  Impressive and scary!  I think this deal pretty much clinches the 2022/2023 Hot Stove League Championship for the Giants and Farhan Zaidi.  I am at a loss for words right now.  I might not have time for a full post on it until tomorrow evening but I am sure I will have plenty to say.

Hot Stove League Update: Giants Add Ross Stripling; Still In Hunt for Correa, Swanson or Rodon?

 It looks like FZ waited for the market to come to him and just like that, it turned and came to him.  A day after signing Sean Manaea LHP to a below-projection deal, the Giants signed Ross Stripling RHP to an identical 2 yr/$25 M contract with the same opt-out after one season.  I know you all are not diggin' the opt outs here, but more on that later.  Ross Stripling was one of my early thoughts for potential Giants Hot Stove targets but then I kind of wrote him off because he was coming off a career year and thought his price might be too high for FZ's tastes, so I am pleasantly surprised by this signing.  Here's his profile:

Ross Stripling RHP.  DOB:  11/23/1989.  6'1", 215 lbs.  Drafted in 2012, round 5 by the Dodgers.

2022(Blue Jays):  10-4, 3.01, 134.1 IP, 7.44 K/9, 1.34 BB/9, fWAR= 3.1.

Stripling has a 4-pitch mix of FB(91.6, 41%), Slider(22%), Curveball(10%) and Changeup(27%).  All but the curveball were plus pitches for him last season.  He pitched effectively in a swingman role but was pressed into fulltime starting when Hyun-Jin Ryu was injured and pitched brilliantly in the role.  The Giants almost certainly promised him a starting role as part of the deal.  It's not clear what the Giants might do to tweak his arsenal but maybe they don't need to?  Maybe just ditch the curveball and go with his best 3 pitches?

The Giants now have a 6-man starting rotation of Webb, Cobb, Stripling, Manaea, DeSclafani and Wood.  Wood might be better off physically if he pitches out of the bullpen and DeSclafani is coming off foot surgery so who knows how he is going to respond? Add in Junis, Hjelle and Kyle Harrison and the Giants have accumulated deep depth, possibly enough to even think about some trade possibilities?

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The Giants are apparently still in contention to sign Carlos Correa SS, are rumored to have interest in Dansby Swanson SS and are even rumored to be still talking to Carlos Rodon LHP!  Either Correa or Swanson would put a nice capper on the season but it's not terrible as is.  Add in a Taylor Rogers LHP to bolster the bullpen and I'd take it.

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For those of you grousing about short term pitching contracts here is something to consider:  Over the past 3 seasons, the Giants paid Kevin Gausman and Carlos Rodon a combined total of $39.75 M.  They pitched for a combined total fWAR of 12.6(including the shortened 2020 season) for a WAR value of $100.7 M.  FZ should be getting all kinds of kudos for that!

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Churn Watch:  Remember the Giants claiming Miguel Yajure RHP off waivers from the Pirates?  Well, they were able to get him through waivers themselves so he is now officially a Giants minor leaguer.  Churn on!  Oh, and Jake Wong RHP was the PTBNL in the Blake Sabol C/OF Rule 5 Draft trade with the Reds.

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....and late breaking news!  The Giants sign Carlos Correa for 13 yrs/$350 M.  Yikes! But how exciting!

Hot Stove League Update: Giants Sign Sean Manaea; Bassitt to Jays; Rodon to Yanks?

 As had been rumored for a couple of days, the Giants signed Sean Manaea LHP to a 2 yr/$25 M contract with opt-out aka The Half-Rodon.  Let's break it down:

Sean Manaea LHP.  DOB:  2/1/1992.  6'5", 245 lbs.  Drafted #34 overall by KC Royals in 2013.  

2022:  8-9, 4.96, 158 IP, 8.89 K/9, 2.85 BB/9, HR/FB= 14.9%, GB/FB= 0.90, FIP= 4.53, xFIP= 3.96.  fWAR= 1.1. 

Manaea has an interesting pitch mix and profile.  He throws a low 90's sinker about 60% of the time but has a reversed GB/FB with it(0.5), but yet it's his best pitch.  He throws a changeup about 25% of the time and a slider about 15%.  He had shoulder surgery in 2019 but otherwise is quite durable pitching 337 innings over his last two seasons.  16 of his 28 starts were QS.  He had two disaster starts against the Dodgers(of course) in which he gave up a total of 16 runs in 8.1 IP.  

So what do the Giants and their pitching gurus see in that mix that makes them think they can re-create Kevin Gausman's experience?  Maybe they just looked at the xFIP and HR/FB and figure Oracle Park will turn him into an ace?  Only problem with that is he is coming from the Padres and Petco Park is not exactly a bandbox.  Maybe they can tweak the sinker and make it, you know, actually sink?  Maybe they can help him get a better shape on the slider?  Maybe they can get a bit more movement on the changeup?  

In any event, the Giants can now pencil in a 5-man rotation:  Webb, Cobb, Manaea, DeSclafani and Alex Wood, not counting Jake Junis, Sean Hjelle and Kyle Harrison.  DeSclafani and Wood are iffy enough they may look to add another SP but appear to have solid depth if they don't.  What Manaea does not give them is an obvious co-ace to back up Logan Webb, but then again, Kevin Gausman was not an obvious ace when they signed him either.

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One name the Giants were rumored to be in on then weren't is Chris Bassitt RHP.  He signed a 3 yr/$63 M contract with the Blue Jays.  That is pretty darn close to the 3 yr/$60 M MLBTR projected for him.  Bassitt has a long track record of effective pitching and durability but he is entering his age 34 season.  BTW, MLBTR projected Sean Manaea to get 4 yr/$52 M so if that is the benchmark, the Giants got him for an extreme bargain.  Yeah, I know, you are in no mood to hear about bargains right now.

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The Giants are rumored to still be in talks with Carlos Rodon LHP and with Carlos Correa SS.  Late today, it was rumored the Yankees(yes the Yankees) were close to a deal for Rodon.  Rumors have Correa down to the Twin and Giants.  For you optimists, the Manaea deal could be interpreted as saving money for a massive deal for Correa.  

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The A's made a bizarre 3-team trade sending Sean Murphy C to the Braves while getting several uninspiring prospects.  What makes this so bizarre is the third team in the deal probably got the biggest upgrade getting William(not Willson) Contreras C from the Braves while the A's got Manny Pina C from the Brewers.  As the Fangraphs analyst put it, why didn't the A's just take Contreras directly from the Braves as that would have been a much stronger trade for them?  BTW, one of the prospects the A's got in the deal stole 89 bases last year in the minor leagues.  With the larger bases and limits on throws to first, look for SB's to be the newest undervalued skill. You heard it here first!

Oh, and I am pretty sure the Giants could have given a better prospect package for Sean Murphy without depleting their farm system and Murphy would have been an immediate massive upgrade on Joey Bart, although Bart could admittedly break out in 2023(the Giants need him to).

Armchair GM: The Case for Not Signing an Outfielder

 We have been saying all along that one of the Giants major free agency needs is to add another OF bat, preferably one that hits LH.  Most analysts say that OF has to be a CF, but the CF free agent market is as dry as a bone now that Brandon Nimmo and Kevin Kiermeier have signed.  What if the OF the Giants need is already on the roster in the person of Lamonte Wade Jr.?  Let's break it down: 

Here is a list of the potential OF upgrades left on the market:

Micheal Conforto OF.  DOB:  3/1/1993.  B-L, T-R.  6'1", 215 lbs.

2021:  .232/.344/.384, 14 HR, 12.3 BB%, 21.7 K%, fWAR= 1.4.

2022:  DNP(Injury). Shoulder injury occurring in an offseason workout requiring surgery).

2023(Steamer Projection):  .244/.340/.418, 14 HR, 11.1 BB%, 21.7 K%, 479 PA, fWAR= 1.6.  

2021 was already a down year for Conforto who was already looking at a possible 1 year "pillow" contract before his injury and shoulder surgery.  He could be one of the biggest bargains of 2023 but Steamer thinks it's going to be another down year and possibly the downside of his career.

Brandon Drury OF/IF.  DOB:  8/21/1992.  B-R, T-R.  6'2", 230 lbs.  

2022:  .263/.320/.492, 28 HR, 6.7 BB%, 22.2 K%, 568 PA, fWAR= 3.0.

2023(Steamer Projection):  .248/.303/.428, 21 HR, 6.4 BB%, 21.5 K%, 563 PA, fWAR= 1.6.

Drury had a great season but his prior cumulative fWAR was 0.6 and his offensive numbers regressed significantly in the second half after his trade from the bandbox in Cincy to the Padres. Steamer does not believe the breakout is sustainable.

Andrew Benintendi OF.  DOB:  7/6/1994.  B-L, T-L.  5'9", 180 lbs. 

2022:  .304/.373/.399, 5 HR, 8 SB, 10.0 BB%, 14.8 K%, 521 PA, fWAR= 2.8.

2023(Steamer Projection):  .268/.338/.409, 13 H, 9 SB, 567 PA, fWAR= 2.3.

Hard to know what to make of Benintendi who is coming off a season with strong plate discipline but his power, which was never his strong suit anyway, cratered.  Steamer projects a modest rebound in power but is Oracle Park and the NL West the place for that to happen?

Jurickson Profar OF.  DOB:  2/20/1993.  B-B, T-R.  6'0", 184 lbs.  

2022:  .243/.331/.391, 15 HR, 5 SB, 11.1 BB%, 15.7 K%, 658 PA, fWAR= 2.5.

2023(Steamer Projection):  .242/.326/.390, 15 HR, 7 SB, 580 PA, fWAR= 1.5.

Another player coming off a career year.  Steamer thinks the slash line is sustainable but projects a regression in playing time.

Joey Gallo OF.  DOB:  11/19/1993.  B-L, T-R.  6'5", 250 lbs.

2021:  .199/.351/.458, 38 HR, 18.0 BB%, 34.6 K%, 616 PA, fWAR= 4.2.

2022:  .160/.280/.357, 19 HR, 13.7 BB%, 39.8 K%, 410 PA, fWAR= 0.6.

2023(Steamer Projection):  .188/.311/.396, 20 HR, 14.3 BB%, 35.6 K%, 429 PA, fWAR= 1.1.

Gallo doesn't seem to be on anyone's radar but an extreme true outcomes guy might may have some intrigue for FZ.  He should be looking for a 1 year "pillow" contract.  I would point out that the Steamer projection would be for 27 HR over 600+ PA's.  A one-dimensional player like this has to hit close to 40 HR's to have any value.  The only place he's done that is with the Rangers.  Again, Oracle Park and the NL West might be particularly unfriendly to a player like him.  Hey!  Pair him up with Bart at the bottom of the lineup and they could be The Joeys!

I could go on but if you can think of an available outfielder with a better projection, let me know.

So, what about in-house options?

Lamonte Wade Jr.  OF/1B.  DOB:  1/1/1994.  B-L, T-L.  6'1", 205 lbs.

2021:  .253/.326/.482, 18 HR, 6 SB, 8.7 BB%, 23.4 K%, BABIP= .289, 381 PA, fWAR= 1.6.

2022:  .207/.305/.359, 8 HR, 10.4 BB%, 20.3 K%, BABIP= .233, 251 PA, fWAR= 0.2.

2023(Steamer Projection):  .228/.324/.390, 11 HR, BABIP- .266, 363 PA, fWAR= 0.7.

Wade Jr. showed flashes of his 2021 form last season but was never able to find traction after two very long IL stays for a bone bruise on his knee.  Although his average exit velocity was down, his peak of 109.3 MPH was the same as his 2021 peak.  Projecting a BABIP closer to his 2021 and a rebound in exit velocity with good health and you get a player who is as good or better for a small fraction of the price of signing a free agent.

Blake Sabol C/OF.  DOB:  1/7/1998.  B-L, T-R.  6'4", 225 lbs.

2022 AA:  .281/.347/.486, 14 HR, 9 SB, 9.2 BB%, 26.0 K%, 412 PA.

2022 AAA:  .296/.426/.543, 5 HR, 16.8 BB%, 21.8 K%, 101 PA.

2023(Steamer Projection):  .243/.314/.403, 8.7 BB%, 25.9 K%, 143 PA, fWAR= 0.7.

Note the fWAR goes up to 2.8 with 600 PA's. 

Once Judge and Nimmo were signed, but OF FA market cratered.  At this point in-house options are probably as good or better and probably better than emptying out the farm system for Bryan Reynolds.  The Giants should concentrate time, energy and resources to what's left of the pitching market to bolster the rotation and bullpen.

Hot Stove Update: Mets Sign Kodai Senga; Giants Sign Minor League Free Agent

 The Mets continued their financial rampage through the Hot Stove League signing my personal favorite free agent, Kodai Senga RHP, to a 5 yr/$75 M contract.  I've seen video of Senga's stuff and he's got an impressive mix of 4 pitches led by a mid-90's FB and an off-the-table splitter.  I think he's at least a #2 SP and this contract is a bargain for the Mets(although it can be argued that their cumulative payroll is not a bargain).  Senga was the guy I was hoping would save the Giants Hot Stove season but the lack of rumors since someone spotted his mug on the scoreboard at Oracle Park seemed ominous.

The brisk pace of signings continued unabated:

Kevin Kiermeier OF to the Blue Jays.  No word on terms.

David Robertson RHP to the Mets.

Andrew Heaney LHP to the Rangers

Jose Quintana LHP to the Mets

Willson Contreras C to the Cardinals to replace Yadi.

True or not, the vibes coming out of the Giants front office are that they are well behind the curve on these deals and are in the mode of letting the market come to them.  That can be a great strategy but the risk is the market dries up before it turns.

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The Giants signed a minor league free agent out of the Guardians organization, Raymond Burgos LHP.  He was given a NRI(Non-Roster Invitation) to spring training.  Burgos is 24 years old, tall and slender with good stuff.  He's been held back by injuries and has never pitched above A+ ball but could move fast on the reliever track if he stays healthy for a full season.

Scouting the 2023 Draft: Jacob Gonzalez SS

Jacob Gonzalez SS(College).  DOB: 5/30/2002.  B-L, T-R.  6'2", 200 lbs. 

2021(Ole Miss)- .355/.443/..561/12 HR, 38 BB, 34 K, 310 PA

2022(Ole Miss)- .274/.405/.558, 18 HR, 50 BB, 32 K, 300 PA

Off the charts combination of contact and plate discipline with reversed K/BB.  Developing power to boot.  Batting stance is kind of a modified Walt Hrniak reminiscent of George Brett and Will Clark although there is a bit more of a crouch and aggressive attacking swing.  A lefthanded Wilmer Flores would be another way to describe it(this is already the second draft prospect whose stance swing remind of Flores).  Slumped a bit in second half of 2022 season but played well in he college postseason.  Scouting reports repeatedly mention his "good eye" at the plate.  Not a lot of physical projection but could get stronger in upper body.

Hot Stove Update: Nimmo Off Market; Correa Still Unsigned

At least on paper, Brandon Nimmo OF seemed like a perfect fit for the Giants:  CF?  Check!  Lefty Bat?  Check!  Rumored MAGA acolyte?  OK, maybe not.  It doesn't matter now because Nimmo signed an 8 yr/$162 M contract to continue playing for the Mets.  That is 3 yr/$52 M more than what MLBTR projected he would get in free agency.  The massive inflation trend in MLB continues unabated.  Now, Nimmo is a good ballplayer when he plays and well worth the AAV of $21 M, but 2022 was the first time in his career he accumulated more than 600 PA's and the first time he had more than 500 since 2018.  So the 8 yrs is a  giants leap of faith.  Then there is the MAGA thing.......

Carlos Correa SS is still on the market.  So is Dansby Swanson SS.  I like both players but I am sure Correa is looking at the Trea Turner SS and Xander Bogaerts SS contracts and thinking he should get at least 12 years.  As for Swanson, I've been a big fan since he was drafted by the D'Backs out of Vanderbilt but I just don't see him choosing to play his home games in San Francisco.  

As they say over on another blog, might be time to see what's available in the Brebbia aisle.

Hot Stove Update: Bogie to Padres; Correa or Bust?

 Late breaking news last evening:  Xander Bogaerts SS, widely believed to be about to re-sign with the Red Sox agreed to a deal with the Padres for 11 yr/$280 M.  Wow! Same song third verse!  Bogaerts is a good player coming off the highest fWAR(6.1) of his career, helped by the first positive defensive metrics per Fangraphs since 2018.  He has average power but is an on-base machine.  Still, he's a SS and this contract takes him through his age 40 season which feels like defacto deferred salary.  And what's going to happen to the Padres in a few season?  This is a franchise that just a few years ago was crying poor mouth and holding firesales.  They already have a very questionable huge contract with Fernando Tatis Jr. although Manny Machado's contract looks good so far.

So, with three of the "Big 4" SS's off the market, is this Carlos Correa or bust for the Giants?  Is Correa a player you want to give a 13 yr contract to(he's 2 years younger than Bogie and Trea Turner)?  In some ways, Correa seems like a better player that Aaron Judge to build around and possibly more likely to remain productive late into his contract but still, there are not a lot of 40 yo SS's around and these guys offensive value does not play nearly as well at less skilled positions.  There is a very old saying in baseball:  Sometimes the best deals are the ones not made.  

I am sure those of you on the Judge or bust train won't be impressed here, but there are still lots of players out there who would be clear upgrades for the Giants who should be available for less money and less years.

Brandon Nimmo OF- On base machine.  Versatile lefty-hitting OF.  Some injury history.

Michael Conforto OF- lefty bat who needs a 1 year bounceback contract.

Andrew Benintendi OF- Power challenged but an on-base machine.  Another lefty bat to balance Haniger.

Brandon Drury IF/OF- Solid bat, versatile defender.

Jurickson Profar IF/OF- Decent bat, versatile defender.

Wil Myers OF- Underrated player who has killed the Giants over the years.  Just don't overpay like the Padres did last contract.

Lots of SP's still out there including Kodai Senga RHP, Chris Bassitt RHP.  Giants rumored to be interested in Sean Manaea LHP.  Could they help Thor get some velocity back on a Gausman/Rodon type deal?

And once again, Sean Hjelle RHP and Kyle Harrison LHP should be ready to step up from within the organization this season.

Rather than committing 11 years and over $300 M to a guy with some baggage, I guess I'm on the let the market come to FZ camp.  Who knows, 2021 happened with a ragtag bunch of undervalued players.  Getting into the postseason is not a high hurdle.

Hot Stove Update: Rule 5 Draft Adds Injury to Insult

 While the Giants and their fans were still mourning the loss of Aaron Judge, the Rule 5 draft came along and decimated their farm system.  Well, not quite, but the Giants as expected lost Nick Avila RHP in the major league phase but lost an additional 8 players in the milb phase.  Eight!  The Giants did not make any picks in either phase but traded for the Reds pick, Blake Sabol C/OF who was in the Pirates organization for cash considerations.  Here are the profiles of Avila and Sabol:

Nick Avila RHP   DOB:  7/25/1997.  6'4", 195 lbs.  

2022 A+:  2-1, 0.95, 28.1 IP, 2.54 BB/9, 9.85 K/9, 13 Saves.

2022 AA:  2-1, 1.33, 27 IP, 2.00 BB/9, 9.00 K/9, 3 Saves.

Avila has some impressive innings in major league camp spring training 2022 and was lights out as a Closer at two levels during the season.  Widely speculated as a potential Rule 5 Draft target, it's a bit mystifying why FZ did not protect him by adding him to the 40 man roster.  He would have 3 options and a great shot at joining the Giants bullpen sometime in 2023.  At least the Giants can get him back for $ if the Pirates can't keep him on their 26 man roster for a full season.

Blake Sabol C/OF   DOB:  1/7/1998.  B-L, T-R.  6'4", 225 lbs. 

2022 AA:  .281/.347/.486, 14 HR, 9 SB, 9.2 BB%, 26.0 K%, 412 PA.

2022 AAA:  .296/.426/.543, 5 HR, SB, 16.8 BB%, 21.8 K%, 101 PA.

Fangraphs scouting report of his catcher defensive skills are not great but he has enough speed to play corner OF and he bats lefthanded.  It's a bit tough to vizualize him sticking on the 26-man roster and if not, he would have to be offered back to the Pirates for $.  While there are some things to like in his profile, I personally wish the Giants had just added Avila along with his 3 options.

Here is a list of the players lost in the minor league phase.  Unlike Avila, the Giants have no chance of getting them back as there is no level they have to stick out a season at as in the MLB phase.

Armani Smith OF

Frankie Tostado 1B

Ronaldo Flores C

Brooks Crawford RHP

Wei-Chieh Huang RHP

Taylor Rashi RHP

Yoniel Ramirez RHP

Willian Suarez RHP

Smith and Tostado were particular fan faves of the blog.  Realistically none of these are likely to ever have significant MLB careers.  They should be easily replaced by Rookie league graduates and minor league free agents.

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Masataka Yoshida OF was a free agent I had an eye on after he became available in the last few days via the Japanese posting system.  29 yo lefty bat.  .335/.447/.561, 21 HR, 508 PA.  Here's what caught my eye:  80 walks, 41 K's!  No such luck.  Snapped up by the Red Sox for the biggest contract for an NPB position player in history, 5 yr/$90 M.  

As if that was not enough, the BoSox also signed Kenley Jansen RHP for 2 yr/$32 M.  You may recall the Giants were rumored to be kicking the tires on Kenley before they turned their full attention to the futile pursuit of Aaron Judge OF.

Hot Stove Update: Judge Back to the Yankees; Giants Fans Crushed

Welp, turns out all those feel-good stories about Aaron Judge OF coming back home were a charade to get the Yankees to up their offer.  9 yr/$360 M.  Pretty sure the Giants at least matched that offer.  Turns out the Padres were in the mix too and reports say Judge had bigger offers than what he signed with the Yanks for.

No question this is a crushing disappointment to the Giants fanbase.  I am disappointed!  On the other hand, this could be a long term blessing in disguise.  Judge is far from a lock to remain healthy for 9 years and the backend of this contract is as high risk as they come.  Although you can make a case for Judge to remain productive into his late 30's, it's more likely he won't.

So where do FZ and the Giants go now?  Do they put on a full court press for Carlos Correa SS?   Do they look for more Mitch Haniger OF level players who won't be cheap but have some upside and will sign for less money and fewer years?  Do they pull back and let the market come to them like they did with Joc Pederson OF/DH, Alex Cobb RHP and Jake Junis RHP?  Those were actually really good pickups last Hot Stove League season. FZ just didn't finish the job with a couple of solid bullpen pieces.  Does he look to the trade market?

In the meantime, let's all raise a middle finger to Aaron Judge and the Yankees.

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The Giants did sign Mitch Haniger OF to a 3 yr/$43 M contract in what looked like the first of a double-barreled signing but should have been a warning sign of bad news on the Aaron Judge front.  Haniger is a really good player when he's healthy but has missed a whole lot of time over the years to a variety of injuries.  Last year he was limited to 57 games by a high ankle sprain.  FZ is well known to see injury history as factor that creates undervalued commodities.  None of Haniger's injuries are ones that should become chronic and FZ is betting he can remain healthy for a full season and approach the 39 HR's he put up a couple of years ago.  Now, if there is a comparable lefty OF bat on the market, FZ should go after that.

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MLB had it's first draft lottery last night and the Giants remained in their #16 slot so that's where they will be picking.  Keep that in mind as we continue scouting the 2023 MLB draft.

Hot Stove Update: Trea Turner Signs With Phillies; Verlander to Mets

 The big dominoes kept falling today on the first day of the Winter Meetings.  As widely expected, Trea Turner, one of the "Big 4" shortstops signed with the Phillies.  What was not expected was the terms of the deal, 11 yr/$300 M.  That is definitely more than the 8 yr/$268 M MLBTR projected for him but it's also a way lower AAV, $27.3 M vs $33.5 M.  This cuts against the trend of higher AAV's on shorter contracts and feels like it included de-facto deferred salary as Turner is highly unlikely to still be playing SS at age 40 and his offensive production, while excellent for a SS is not quite what you would look for from a lesser position.  Not sure what this means for the other shortstops on the market but Carlos Correa is two years younger so could now reasonably expect at least a 10 year contract with a significantly higher AAV.

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Justin Verlander RHP signed a 2 year contract with the Mets that matched Max Scherzer's AAV of $43.3 M.  Verlander and Scherzer are two great veteran pitchers who are defying age, but they have also both had their struggles in the postseason which is fast becoming all that counts in MLB.

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In a lesser deal, Carlos Estevez RHP signed a 2 yr/$13.5 M deal with the Angels who seem to be finally serious about putting a strong supporting cast around their two superstars.  Estevez is a hard thrower who put up a 3.47 ERA pitching for Rockies.  You would think that would translate to a lower FIP but his FIP registered at 4.08.  It continues to be a relative seller's market for relievers.

Scouting the 2023 Draft: Max Clark

Max Clark OF, HS, Indiana.  DOB: 12/21/2004.  B-L, T-L.  6'1", 190 lbs.

Perfect Game Numbers:  FB- 92 MPH.  60 yd Dash- 6.33, Exit Velocity 94 MPH.  

Prep Baseball Report:  OF Velocity- 92 MPH, 60 yd dash- 6.47.  Exit Velocity- 103 MPH.

True 5-tool player with 4 elite tools and projectable power.  Currently more of a line drive/contact hitter.  Can add upper body strength and learn to get more loft on the ball.  Physically mature with limited projection but then, so was Mike Trout.  Projection doesn't matter if you already have elite tools.  Prospects Live comp is Jarred Kelenic.  Vandy commit so not a lock to sign.

Hot Stove Update: Did Aaron Judge's Market Just Get Reset?

The tea leaves are pointing strongly to an imminent Aaron Judge OF signing with the Giants.  Of course in the crazy world of MLB free agency the longer that goes on the less likely he is to actually sign with the Giants and more likely there is some "mystery team" lurking out there who knows how to get a deal locked up without the someone on Twitter sniffing it out.

Another possible wrench got thrown into the works yesterday when Jake DeGrom RHP signed a 5 yr/$185 M deal with the Rangers.  Yes, you read that right.  Jake Degrom, who has missed large portions of the last two seasons with injuries and was expected to sign a shorter term deal similar to Carlos Rodon LHP's deal with the Giants last year, is going to get paid a lot of money for at least 5 more seasons.  One of those injuries was a forearm strain which Sandy Alderson Mets GM said was a partial UCL tear which DeGrom denied.  BTW, DeGrom is a longterm Tommy John surgery surivivor from before he was drafted.  

Look, DeGrom is a heckuva pitcher when he's healthy but he hasn't been fully healthy for almost two years now and he's entering his age 35 season.  The Giants need a pitcher like him to front their rotation but I am not envious of this contract at all.  You have to stop for a minute and think that if Jake Degrom can get a deal like this, how much more can Aaron Judge get?  We don't know what the Giants are offering but this deal makes the Yankees offer look ridiculously small in comparison.  We have to wonder if it made his agent tear up any existing offer sheets and rethink his value?

On a side note, the Judge situation reminds me of pre-MCC Grant Brisbee's Waiting for Boof.  That started me down a free association trip about a gospel song I used to have on a record when I was a kid.  It had a line in it "I'll meet you at the Judgment Day" but I thought it was "I'll meet you at the Judge Wednesday."  Ha ha!  Maybe I'll meet Aaron Judge Wednesday?

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Churn Watch:

The Giants claimed Miguel Yajure RHP off waivers from the Pirates.  He had a 8.88 ERA in 24.1 IP for the Pirates last year and a 6.09 ERA in AAA.  He's out of options.  This looks like one of those churn deals where the Giants will try to get him through waivers themselves. If not, oh well, churn on!

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There were several other smaller but not insignificant deals yesterday:

After some rumors early in the day about the Giants having interest in Kolton Wong 2B, the Mariners acquired him for Jesse Winker OF and Abraham Toro IF.  Wong is 32 years old(wow! Where has the time gone?) and is coming off a couple of good offensive seasons but his defense fell off a cliff last year with 17 errors.  Yeah, no.  The Giants don't need an error-prone 2B!  Winker and Toro are both coming off down seasons.

The Red Sox signed Chris Martin RHP for 2 yr/$17.5 M.  Martin is a good RP but the market for mid-inning relievers is going through the roof!  At least it takes him away from the Dodgers.

The D'Backs signed Miguel Castro RHP for 1 yr/$3.5 M guaranteed with incentives and a vesting option for next season. worth $5 M. Castro missed significant time with injuries last season with the Yankees.

Zach Eflin RHP signed a 3 year deal with the Rays for a reported $40 M.  Eflin has been a dependable #3/4 SP for the Phillies but missed significant time in the second half of last season.

Lastly, the Tigers signed former Giants LHP Matt Boyd for 1 yr/$10 M.  Boyd is a longtime Tigers pitcher who spent most of last season on the IL with the Giants.  FZ churned him to the Mariners for prospects Michael Stryffeller RHP and Andy Thomas C.

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Now, back to Waiting for Judge.

Remembering Gaylord Perry

The first Giants game I remember listening to on the radio was pitched by Bob Shaw RHP probably in 1965.   Shaw was traded early in the following season but his legacy lived on as Gaylord Perry RHP, who he taught how to throw a spitball, had a breakout season on his way to a Hall of Fame career.  

As a new fan, I was quite excited that Perry got off to a great start to the 1966 season and was 12-1 with a 2.51 ERA by the All-Star Break.  Perry started the first game I ever watched on TV.  We did not have a TV in our house but we were visiting my grandparents in SoCal and the Dodgers were playing the Giants in San Francisco.  I was quite excited because I figured the Giants would win with Perry pitching.  He as going against Don Sutton RHP who was in the rookie season of his own HOF career.  Alas!  Willie Davis CF led off the game with a HR and the Dodgers went on to win.  What I remember about Gaylord Perry was he would touch himself in about 10 different places before every pitch, bill of cap, both eyebrows, mouth, back of neck, under arms.  My mother walked by the TV and remarked that the pitcher looked like he was "three sheets to the wind." 

In 1968 our class went on a camping trip to Lake Pillsbury.  On the way back home, the mom who was driving put the Giants-Cubs game on the radio.  Jim Ray Hart hit a home run off Ferguson Jenkins RHP, another Hall of Famer, in the second inning and Gaylord Perry pitched a complete game shutout for a 1-0 win.

Also in 1968, Perry pitched a no-hit shutout of the St Louis Cardinals on Sept 17.  What was unusual about that is Ray Washburn RHP of the Cardinals no-hit the Giants the very next game on September 18.

After the 1972 season the Giants made one of their worse trades ever, and that's saying a lot, when they sent Gaylord to the Cleveland Indians for "Sudden" Sam McDowell LHP.   The trade made sense on paper.  Perry was 33 years old while McDowell was 29.  The Giants needed a LHP to balance a RH leaning pitching staff and McDowell was a hard thrower with higher K rates than Perry.  Well, Sudden Sam came to spring training with a sore arm and was basically washed up while Gaylord Perry won the Cy Young Award for the Indians and went on to pitch 10 more seasons for multiple teams.

In 2011, my daughter and I went to a spring training game in Surprise AZ.  We arrived early and they had a table set up with several Hall of Fame players, including Gaylord Perry and Ferguson Jenkins, selling and signing memorabilia.  We picked out a photo and a ball and paid our money.  While he was signing, I started to tell Ol' Gaylord how great it was to root for him when I was a kid.  He didn't even look up and say something like "yeah, yeah, do you want anything else?"  I knew his reputation for being a curmudgeon so wasn't surprised but I think my daughter expressed her disappointment as we walked away.

Gaylord Perry RIP