Post by rog on Aug 20, 2018 7:27:36 GMT -5
Before the game yesterday Duane Kuiper joked that when you're not scoring runs, you bat your slowest guy leadoff (to switch things up). We know of course that Brandon Belt isn't the Giants' slowest player. That "honor" goes to Buster Posey, with Pablo Sandoval close behind. With Pablo's recent hamstring tear, he might not go on any more tears ("The Pando is on the loose!) and become the slowest.
We know Nick Hundley is very slow too, as are most catchers. But the two other guys on the team slower than Brandon really surprised me. No one would have said a word had either led off, but they're a tick slower than the gangly first baseman.
They're the Giants infielder, Panik and Crawford. Who woulda thunk it?
And that got me thinking about the Giants' defense up the middle.
No problem in center. Steven Duggar is the best there in a while. Catcher is still good. Buster's framing had fallen off, but he's still an above average catcher. But what about the infielders?
Joe Panik has clearly shown decline the past two seasons. We've discussed the possibility it's his back. His metrics have rebounded back a little way after really falling off last season. Metrically at least, Joe has fallen off from quite good to a little below average. His range can't be too good. He just isn't fast enough for that.
Brandon Crawford is still quite good. Is there anyone who goes back on popups better? Is there anyone smoother and with a quicker glove to hand transition? But Brandon's metrics have fallen off from 2015 and 2016, when they were right at the top. No one would accuse him of not being one of the very best at his position, but has he too fallen off? It appears so. He too is slow enough that his range can't be spectacular.
We've talked about how middle infielders -- even a shortstop -- can be slow and still get the job done. Boly has mentioned Dick Groat as a slow guy who could still run the bases. He could also play shortstop.
Positioning helps, and I think Ron Wotus is one of the best in that regard. That can help make up for part of a step or even a full one. Plus, Crawford and Panik are both solid. One expects them to make the routine play, and seldom is one disappointed.
Both players are getting older though. Especially Crawford. Can the Giants' middle infield defense -- such a strength two and three years ago -- get back to those levels? In Panik's case, his back simply may not permit it. In Crawford's case, he's still excellent, so why not?
The Giants' middle infield defense is still a strength. It simply isn't as amazing as the duo who just four years ago pulled off one of the most famous double plays in World Series history.
The duo is sure-handed and quick of release. They're just not as fast as they once were, which cuts down on the ground they can cover. The duo is still easily above average. But I don't think many would consider them among the very best, which four years ago was an easy argument. A little slippage on Brandon's part, but most of it has been on Joe. If it's his back, he may never again be the same.
We know Nick Hundley is very slow too, as are most catchers. But the two other guys on the team slower than Brandon really surprised me. No one would have said a word had either led off, but they're a tick slower than the gangly first baseman.
They're the Giants infielder, Panik and Crawford. Who woulda thunk it?
And that got me thinking about the Giants' defense up the middle.
No problem in center. Steven Duggar is the best there in a while. Catcher is still good. Buster's framing had fallen off, but he's still an above average catcher. But what about the infielders?
Joe Panik has clearly shown decline the past two seasons. We've discussed the possibility it's his back. His metrics have rebounded back a little way after really falling off last season. Metrically at least, Joe has fallen off from quite good to a little below average. His range can't be too good. He just isn't fast enough for that.
Brandon Crawford is still quite good. Is there anyone who goes back on popups better? Is there anyone smoother and with a quicker glove to hand transition? But Brandon's metrics have fallen off from 2015 and 2016, when they were right at the top. No one would accuse him of not being one of the very best at his position, but has he too fallen off? It appears so. He too is slow enough that his range can't be spectacular.
We've talked about how middle infielders -- even a shortstop -- can be slow and still get the job done. Boly has mentioned Dick Groat as a slow guy who could still run the bases. He could also play shortstop.
Positioning helps, and I think Ron Wotus is one of the best in that regard. That can help make up for part of a step or even a full one. Plus, Crawford and Panik are both solid. One expects them to make the routine play, and seldom is one disappointed.
Both players are getting older though. Especially Crawford. Can the Giants' middle infield defense -- such a strength two and three years ago -- get back to those levels? In Panik's case, his back simply may not permit it. In Crawford's case, he's still excellent, so why not?
The Giants' middle infield defense is still a strength. It simply isn't as amazing as the duo who just four years ago pulled off one of the most famous double plays in World Series history.
The duo is sure-handed and quick of release. They're just not as fast as they once were, which cuts down on the ground they can cover. The duo is still easily above average. But I don't think many would consider them among the very best, which four years ago was an easy argument. A little slippage on Brandon's part, but most of it has been on Joe. If it's his back, he may never again be the same.