first worst base

[sfgdood]

It seems like all our backup first baseman of late are outfielders, third basemen or catchers. i guess our "vastly improved" farm system still has no first basemen at all to speak of.

[sharksrog]

There isn't much in the way of first basemen that I'm aware of -- I'm not big on Chris Shaw -- but I'm wondering if Jaylin Davis could play there. Jaylin is hitting .333/1.050 for the River Cats even after an 0 for 5 evening last night.

Logan Webb, a Rocklin native (Remember when the 49ers trained in Rocklin, Randy?), debuted for the River Cats Monday with 7 one-run innings, allowing seven hits and no walks while striking out seven. As we see from Davis' heavy numbers, the PCL is an extreme hitters' league, so Webb's debut was outstanding. If Webb continues to pitch well for Sacramento, he might move 80 miles or so west and south next season. As a Rocklin native, it wouldn't be at all surprising if he grew up a Giants fan.

Webb is obviously back from his 80-game substance violation suspension.

[klaiggeb]

Shaw has made huge strides this year in cutting down his K's and increasing his BB's.

I'm not a huge fan of his either, but I'd like to see him up here soon at 1B AND NOT IN THE OF to see how he's doing.

[sharksrog]

Chris' defense is considered below par both at first base and in the outfield. He doesn't have a lot of foot speed, although to be honest, he's a little faster than I thought when I first read his scouting reports. Chris made nice strides in cutting down his strikeouts at AA, but IIRC they're back up again in AAA, although I believe even there he has cut them down a bit.

Maybe the Giants can buy time at first base with guys such as Shaw, by re-signing Vogt, and by playing Buster and Joey Bart there on occasion. I think they'll trade Brandon Belt over the winter. Austin Slater is another guy who can play first base a little, and I'd love to see the Giants teach the position to Jaylin Davis.

[klaiggeb]

I think Slater, a favorite of mine, is playing his way off the roster for next year.

Yes, he revamped his swing, but his 'lift' of the baseball disappeared with his illness in Milwaukee.

Since that game, he's back to hitting ground balls at an alarming rate, although yesterday, he finally lifted one for a 2B to RF.

I like his speed, I like his OBP... but that said, he takes TOO MANY PITCHES over the heart of the plate.

Too many.

That tells me he's suffering from Buster Posey Syndrome; constantly guessing wrong.

If Austin doesn't recover his 'lift' I think he's going to moved on at the end of the year.

[sfgdood]

No matter what happens from here on, Slater will be given a shot to redeem himself in the spring

[klaiggeb]

Agreed.

But he has 41 games left to make an impression.

I suggest he use them, and use them "in the air, tonight..."

To quote the song by Phil Collins.

[sfgdood]

But, do you feel it coming in the air tonight?

[klaiggeb]

Oh, Lord..!

I...don't.