Starter Holes...

[klaiggeb]

With slots 3, 4, and 5 now question marks in the rotation, there has been some talk of bringing Logan Webb up and giving him a roll.

Part of me says, 'why the heck not?'

The other part of me says, "not smart. Way too early for a guy who was suspended for 80 games and hasn't made but what, one (?) AAA start.

I'm torn, but I suspect we'll see him.


I'm really surprised that Andy Suarez hasn't performed better.

I mean, I expected slumps/growing pains from both he and Rodriguez, but I didn't expect such blatant command issues from Suarez.

Last year he wasn't anywhere near as good as Rodriguez, but he looked like a budding 4 or 5 starter.

This, based upon his minor league numbers:5.46 ERA, 84 ip 105 hits; 29 BB 82K's, he's looking like a 9th or Eleventheenth starter!

I know he was hurt early, but all of a sudden, he can't even get minor leaguers out.

That surprises me.

Derek, on the other hands, seems to have sort of found himself again in AAA, and I say that based solely on his numbers there.

I'm looking forward to his next start because I like the kid's make up; he doesn't get rattled and he'll fight you.

My kind of guy.

Now, we need him, and either Suarez or Menez to perform.

I haven't given up on Beede's future, but right now, as I said in another thread, I think he needs to work out his problems in AAA, not in the middle of a pennant race.

[sharksrog]

I think I would give the Saturday start to Suarez, who has been coming around a bit of late. I like the idea of bringing up Webb, but I would need to know more about his makeup. Even missing half the season with his suspension, Logan may have made the biggest jump of any Giants prospect this season.

[sharksrog]

Speaking of jumps, Marco Luciano is now only 1 for 12 at Salem-Keizer, although he walked three times last night. Joey Bart is hitting only .217 at Richmond. Heliot Ramos is as .261/805 with 4 walks in 23 at bats, but Heliot has struck out 10 times. So no quick adjustments from the three recent promotees.

On the other hand, 19-year-old outfielder Alexander Canario is up to .280/.879 after a very slow start at S-K.

I'm a little disappointed in Bart, who has walked only 15 times this season (in 257 at bats). I was hoping he was having a good but not great season in San Jose because he was bored (although his broken hand couldn't have helped), but his mediocre-at-best start in AA would seem to show that wasn't the problem. Joey does have just 5 strikeouts in his 23 Richmond at bats, which would be encouraging if he had walked more than once.

Right now I don't see any point in bringing Joey up in September. The way he's progressing through the minors, he might not be ready next September. Both Ramos and Luciano seem to be gaining on Joey. Heliot has hit better than Joey this season while playing at the same two stops, and he's 33 months younger. Ramos isn't the defender Joey is though. Heliot has decent speed, but I thought he was late and lazy with his defensive set up in center field. If Heliot can play center field in the majors though, he could become a truly fine player. It looks like he'll hit. He's truly improved his ability to reach base this season, taking 36 walks in 317 at bats. He's cut back on his strikeouts too, although the 10 punch outs in 23 at bats with Richmond is alarming.