Hey team! I'm back. Just got back from a cross-country trip which included the wife's 50-year high school reunion in Iowa then a road trip to visit friends and relatives in Alabama and Georgia. Sorry for not posting. I thought I could access the blog from my phone, and actually did prior to leaving, but when I got to the first stop it wouldn't let me post for some reason. Since I last posted, the Giants reached another high-water mark with a win in the first game of a series against the Dodgers then went into a tailspin which all but dropped them out of the postseason race. Oh, and Bryce Eldridge was called up and got his first MLB hit, a bases-loaded, 3-RBI, opposite-field double against the Dodgers.
Trevor McDonald made his first major league start a resounding success, limiting the Dodgers to a run over 6 innings while Christian Koss led the lineup in producing just enough run support to salvage the final game of a 4-game series. Key Lines:
Christian Koss 2B- 2 for 4, 2B, RBI. BA= .267. So, we've asked this before. Barring an offseason acquistion, who is your starting 2B next season, Koss or Casey Schmitt?
Trevor McDonald RHP- 6 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 3 K, 9/2 GO/AO. ERA= 3.38. McDonald put up dominant groundball ratios in AAA where he pitched in a lot of ballparks where sinkers don't sink. Can he be even more effective in a league where most games are played at near sea level?
The Giants return home to Oracle Park tonight starting a series agains the Cardinals with Justin Verlander RHP facing Michael McGreevy RHP who comes in with an ERA of 4.08.
*************************************************************************************
The 2025 minor league season came to an end for Giants affiliates with the Round Rock Express defeating the Sacramento River Cats 4-2:
Isn't Marco Luciano in the same boat as Matos? Is out of options so must either make the roster out of spring training 2026 or be exposed to waivers. I don't view Koss as a starter. I would prefer the Giants look adding someone like Xavier Edwards. Add something the Giants sorely lack speed and a player who can hit for avg.
ReplyDeleteYes, Marco Luciano is in the same boat as Matos with options. Do you think the Marlins are going to trade Xavier Edwards? What other current MLB players fit his profile?
Deletehaven't read anything that the Marlins are willing to trade Edwards but he is the type of player that I would like the Giants to pick up. Another player from the state of Florida that is going to cost more than Edwards but I would still kick the tires on is Chandler Simpson of the Rays
ReplyDeleteI would love for the Giants to have a player on their team like Xavier Edwards and Chandler Simpson. They don't grow on trees and neither of those players are close to being available by trade.
Deleteschmitt brin gs the power potential but Koss is a nice piece to move around IF to rest guys
ReplyDeleteSchmitt has played all 4 IF positions this year
DeleteI'd be fine with Schmitt for another year but, I think they need to bring in veteran competition this offseason and have Schmitt earn the job. McDonald is a guy I want to see get a look in Spring Training. Luciano, Matos, and Fitz are purge candidates this offseason.
ReplyDeleteI was worried you had some sort of surgery Doc! Glad you are ok.
ReplyDelete- Fan
Thank you for the concern. I've learned that it generally not a good idea be too specific about travel plans on social media of any kind. I really wish we could have done the trip after the season but the reunion schedule was something I couldn't control.
DeleteNo worries Doc, that's great to hear that you had a great family trip. The abs i saw of Bryce Eldridge was impressive. Its exciting he hits for power to all fields, love his swing. The extreme ups and downs of this team has been interesting. Pitchjng development- I wonder if Buster will be asking questions, its been a mixed bag. Landon Roup took a big step forward. Birdsong taking a step back looks bad on them. Harrison didn't progress as much as I hoped so they traded him. Teng shows glimpses of potential, striking out 6 the other day, but he has disaster starts. I know its 1 start but why did it take so long to call up Mcdonald? Lots more to say but for another time. Thanks Doc for your continued great posts and comments.
ReplyDeleteThanks LG. You are a faithful reader and commenter. Much appreciated.
DeleteSo, what will the Giants do?
ReplyDelete5-1 to finish > .500 to salvage Buster's and Melvin's perspicacity?
4-2 to at least beat FZ's last year and finish .500?
3-3 to stoke "wait 'til next year" and with yesterday's victory have a winning 4-3 finish, and save Melvin's job?
Truthfully, even winning out is a disappointment!
Adding Verlander, Adames, Devers, and extending Chapman in 2025, guaranteeing $140,000,000 for 6 players next year, leaving about $100M for everyone else without going over the first threshold, and a bunch of holes to fill, is anyone excited about 2026?
I am curious about the upcoming Hot Stove League season and next year's Giants team. Too early to way whether excited or not.
DeletePersonally, I want neither Schmidt or Koss as the starting 2B...Love either as a super utity guy, but prefer Schmidt...What I want is a better and more consistent bat/glove at 2B..OTOH, in the addition to a good 2B, The Giants also need a solid RF bat (Both to push Adames and Chapmn down the impact order ) as well as 1-2 starters (verlander??) to go with Ray/Web/Roupp, a closer, and 1-2 other relievers..ALL this is likely not attainable but it is what is needed if they ever want to contend with the Bums and especially and more realistically the Padres..
ReplyDeleteSteveVA
I think Buster's #1 priority has to pitching. He can't go into spring training with Ray and Webb the only two veteran SP"s or with Ryan Walker as the presumptive Closer.
DeleteKinda agree that pitching is key, but even if done, in the end it won't matter, becasue they won't win with the same mediocre bats (only DEVERS really rises above mediocre).Last night (Mon), for example, the Giants didn't have a single bat in the lineup hitting over .258.. BOTH need to be improved, and i don't trust any of the internal options for next year.
DeleteSteveVA
What happened to Luis Matos getting an extended opportunity down the stretch? He came up from Sacramento, went on a hot streak, went to the bench and then back to the minors.
ReplyDeleteGood question.
DeleteSeems like they've already made their decision on Matos.
Delete