sfgdood
Long time member 
stats geeks never played the game...that's why they don't get it and never will
Posts: 90
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Post by sfgdood on Mar 16, 2018 14:51:10 GMT -5
So you guys know me...I'm not going to get too excited about what we're seeing in Spring Training and obviously Longoria's spot is not in any kind of jeopardy, but the Panda is definitely looking a lot like the Panda that was hitting 300+ early in his career. Maybe he can find another niche as a backup infielder and in doing so, he wouldn't need to be in phenomenal shape because he wouldn't be playing every day. Obviously we'd love to see him in top shape but if he can be a threat off the bench and give Longo some days off against righties, we'd all be pretty happy with that. One thing that has always been true of Pablo is that his defense is better when he is fresh and he'll always be fresh when he isn't playing every day. This might be the perfect spot for him.
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The Panda
Mar 16, 2018 16:35:58 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by Islandboagie on Mar 16, 2018 16:35:58 GMT -5
When he came back to the Giants last season I believe it made a difference in the clubhouse, and you could see it on the field. I likely underestimated his clubhouse presence when he left for Boston.
I think he will surprise a lot of people this season.
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Post by klaiggeb on Mar 16, 2018 20:38:44 GMT -5
Totally agree with both of you.
I was skeptical, but it's now obvious he's lost so much weight, and he looks like he is where he wants to be.
He's not making any waves, and he seems content with his role.
That is important.
If Boch can get him aroun 300 at bats, that's a good thing.
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rog
New Member
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Post by rog on Mar 18, 2018 10:02:52 GMT -5
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Post by klaiggeb on Mar 18, 2018 12:25:51 GMT -5
I think 300 at bats is a good 'goal' for which Boch should shoot.
When Posey needs to sit, Panda can play at 1B, spell Longoria at third, and be used a lot off the bench to PH.
Like I said; a goal.
boly
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The Panda
Mar 19, 2018 1:12:55 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by Islandboagie on Mar 19, 2018 1:12:55 GMT -5
300 at bats is a pretty typical amount for the best hitting bench player, not to mention one that can switch hit and play multiple positions.
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rog
New Member
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Post by rog on Mar 19, 2018 21:51:33 GMT -5
After a very slow start with the Giants last season, Pablo hit fairly well down the stretch. Although he had such a low average the Red Sox released him and his $19 million or so per season salary, there were positive signs about his hitting both with the Red Sox and with Sacramento.
With the Red Sox, he had a very low average, but given that he hit the ball hard there, that likely had to do with some bad luck. I have no idea whether he hit in bad luck at Sacramento, but he did walk there more than he struck out, mostly because his strikeout total was very low.
No doubt the Giants would have picked up one of their former top players anyway, but there were indeed positive signs. It's good to see that Pablo has been building on those good signs beginning on September 17th of last season.
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rog
New Member
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Post by rog on Mar 19, 2018 22:25:35 GMT -5
300 at bats is a pretty typical amount for the best hitting bench player, not to mention one that can switch hit and play multiple positions.
Rog -- Pablo's at bats will be limited by two factors: His positions are limited (first, third and emergency catcher). While he is technically a switch hitter, in terms of results he's a left-handed hitter. He did begin to bat right-handed a little better toward the end of last season, but he's been a horrible right-handed batter over the past three seasons.
He might make 300 at bats if Brandon Belt and/or Evan Longoria is injured. But otherwise he isn't like to start much at either corner.
Brandon Belt has average about 150 starts in his three healthy seasons. That's a dozen starts left over. Let's make it 17 and say Buster Posey gets only seven of those. That leaves 10 starts for Pablo, or about 35 at bats.
Longoria has averaged 160 games per year over the past five seasons, but let's say the Giants try to keep him fresh and get Pablo extra starts, and Evan starts only 150 contests. If himself stays healthy all season, that could be a dozen starts for Pablo, or about 45 at bats.
Pablo could DH in another eight or so games for about 30 at bats. Let's give him another 40 at bats pinch hitting and another 40 when he enters during the course of a game.
That's just under 200 at bats. Players do get injured, and that could get Pablo his 300 at bats. But unless we see an injury to or a collapse from Brandon Belt and/or Evan Longoria, Pablo's chances of reaching 300 at bats in the 2018 regular season aren't good.
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