Post by Rog on Feb 24, 2017 12:17:55 GMT -5
I learned a few things from Andrew Baggarly on KNBR yesterday as I drove to the Bay Area:
. He thinks Jarrett Parker will be the Giants' left fielder, noting that Mac Williamson still has an option, which Parker doesn't. (Perhaps the Giants will have Mac continue to hone his skills at Sacramento to open the season, simply waiting in the weeds in case Jarrett fails.)
. He feels Gorkys Hernandez will be the Giants' new Gregor Blanco, backing up all three outfield positions. (This shocked me as much as Parker's being the starter rather than Williamson or some form or platoon.)
. Not surprisingly, he believes the Giants would like to be able to keep the right-handed power bat of either Mike Morse or Justin Ruggiano. (They might be able to do so if they keep up only a dozen pitchers. It is possible IMO that Ruggiano could become the fourth outfielder rather than Hernandez.)
Something I just looked up that surprised me. Morse has only 354 career RBI's, or one every 7.2 at bats. Brandon Belt has a higher career OPS than Morse -- AGAINST LEFT-HANDERS. Against righties, Brandon is not surprisingly well ahead.
Ruggiano's power has been about the same as Morse's -- and has been better against southpaws. There must be something going on with Justin though. He has only 1416 major league plate appearances despite a .761 OPS, high for a center fielder. In 729 plate appearances combined in the 2012 and 2013 seasons, he stiole 29 bases. The metrics show Ruggiano to have been a below-average center fielder, although not a horrible one. He can play all three outfield positions and with a career OPS of .865 against southpaws would appear to be a good platoon candidate. He's been a good enough hitter that he has batted fifth more than any other spot in the order. He has batted #2 more than any other spot aside from #5. Then #6, then lead off, then #4.
Bruce Bochy has indicated the Giants will send out a lot of the young guys early so that the Giants can focus on the roster competitions.
Tim Lincecum is building toward another showcase, and is apparently drawing interest, although clearly not as much as last year's showcase. As I mentioned, Tim looks more muscular than I've ever seen him.
In advance of today's broadcast, Jon Miller was interviewed on KNBR last night. He gave one extremely funny interview. He'll be working with Jeremy Affeldt as his color man today, and Jeremy is expected to do some games for both the Giants (in relief of Mike Krukow) and on ESPN.
. He thinks Jarrett Parker will be the Giants' left fielder, noting that Mac Williamson still has an option, which Parker doesn't. (Perhaps the Giants will have Mac continue to hone his skills at Sacramento to open the season, simply waiting in the weeds in case Jarrett fails.)
. He feels Gorkys Hernandez will be the Giants' new Gregor Blanco, backing up all three outfield positions. (This shocked me as much as Parker's being the starter rather than Williamson or some form or platoon.)
. Not surprisingly, he believes the Giants would like to be able to keep the right-handed power bat of either Mike Morse or Justin Ruggiano. (They might be able to do so if they keep up only a dozen pitchers. It is possible IMO that Ruggiano could become the fourth outfielder rather than Hernandez.)
Something I just looked up that surprised me. Morse has only 354 career RBI's, or one every 7.2 at bats. Brandon Belt has a higher career OPS than Morse -- AGAINST LEFT-HANDERS. Against righties, Brandon is not surprisingly well ahead.
Ruggiano's power has been about the same as Morse's -- and has been better against southpaws. There must be something going on with Justin though. He has only 1416 major league plate appearances despite a .761 OPS, high for a center fielder. In 729 plate appearances combined in the 2012 and 2013 seasons, he stiole 29 bases. The metrics show Ruggiano to have been a below-average center fielder, although not a horrible one. He can play all three outfield positions and with a career OPS of .865 against southpaws would appear to be a good platoon candidate. He's been a good enough hitter that he has batted fifth more than any other spot in the order. He has batted #2 more than any other spot aside from #5. Then #6, then lead off, then #4.
Bruce Bochy has indicated the Giants will send out a lot of the young guys early so that the Giants can focus on the roster competitions.
Tim Lincecum is building toward another showcase, and is apparently drawing interest, although clearly not as much as last year's showcase. As I mentioned, Tim looks more muscular than I've ever seen him.
In advance of today's broadcast, Jon Miller was interviewed on KNBR last night. He gave one extremely funny interview. He'll be working with Jeremy Affeldt as his color man today, and Jeremy is expected to do some games for both the Giants (in relief of Mike Krukow) and on ESPN.