I was disappointed to discover that MLB.com currently ranks our farm system 21st out of 30. On top of that, we have gone, what seems like an eternity, without drafting and developing a star position player. Despite the plethora of pitchers we have drafted, we seem headed in the wrong direction. What gives?
Do you think Luciano is ready to be a mainstay at shortstop at the big league level this year? I know there aren’t many better options intently or externally, but
I’m worried he’s not seasoned enough and could become a 2022 Joey Bart or 2023 David Villar.
Assuming Jung-Hoo Lee signs, does this put the likes of McCray, Matos, etc on the trade block either than being seen as the CF of the future? Also who is your early tip for No 1 prospect? (My money is on Walker Martin who I've got a really good feeling about)
I don't remember ever reading an explanation for this... why did they set the AutoUmp in AAA to call high strikes as balls? I can't think of any reason to intentionally deviate the strike zone there from the major's.
Hi Roger! It seems like there is a big kerfuffle going on questioning whether San Francisco is a desirable location for major leaguers who have a choice. Most of the recent discussion is about how “safe” the city is, given homelessness and drug use. But I have also heard about an aversion to playing in a “liberal city” by some players with a different political point of view. I think much of this is overblown, but as Buster pointed out, perception becomes reality.
My question for you is how much of this (if any) bleeds into the minor leagues. Are these guys just happy for an opportunity anywhere?
On BRef a few days ago I stumbled across the regular phenomenon of the shared affiliate in the old VSL and (less commonly) the DSL. As the Giants could probably put together three outfields in the ACL but will instead be reduced to one, and I assume some other org could say the same about having too many infielders, do you think the joint affiliate could return in 2024? If you can run two ACL teams with a contract limit of 180, running 1.5 with 165 seems appropriate
If it's not too late, how does the addition of TJ Hopkins from the Reds affect the corner OF depth chart? Is he someone who's just there to fill at-bats or is there a real chance we'll see him on the 40-man at some point? What is there to know about him that we can't get from his BRef page?
Roger - really enjoying the position reviews. And wow Center Field is really lacking below AA with undrafted players, etc. Is this related to the Giants taking so many pitchers over position players? You alluded in your post to their need to focus on this in the next draft. Just kind of wild when you look at your chart. Thank you.
Happy holidays, Roger! Let’s talk tools. I remember your bemoaning the big club’s lack of players with dynamic tools in a KROG pod early in the offseason. (BTW, I dig the brutal honesty that comes out more in these pods.) I believe you feel the farm system also has very few position players with game-changing tools (or tools-in-the-making) and that emphasizing the development of prospects with big tools would have notable benefits. What’s the biggest reason for the dearth of such prospects? Would you give an example or two of a different decision you would’ve liked to have seen to prioritize a tools-centric approach? And most significantly, how do you think the brass views this topic, particularly in terms of talent acquisition going forward?
Crystal Ball time Roger, and just fir the fun of it now the first draft top 100 (and first mock) has been posted who is your first pick for the Giants ( I'm going Brody Brecht)? Aside from the 'pick the best of what is available' mantra, do you see any potential leaning towards pitchers or position players based on what us in system at present?
Would the Giants’ pitching prospects like Mason Black and Hayden Birdsong be held in higher regard if they were in a system like the Yankees or Dodgers? Is there really that large of a separation between the Giants’ pitching prospects and the prospects in those systems?
Jung-Hoo Lee's swing looks really funky to me. But if the Giants are willing to hand him 113MM maybe I shouldn't worry about it too much. Do you think he'd need to retool his swing? And would you have data on how often do players coming from another country would do so?
If the Giants have a penchant for bringing in players with local connections, are there any candidates out there now that the team might consider (e.g., Corbin Burnes, Andrew Vaughn, Nico Hoerner, Cal Quantrill, Tommy Edman, etc)? Based off positional need, tradeable assets, and organizational fit, would any of these trades make sense for the Giants, and would their current teams even consider it?
I was disappointed to discover that MLB.com currently ranks our farm system 21st out of 30. On top of that, we have gone, what seems like an eternity, without drafting and developing a star position player. Despite the plethora of pitchers we have drafted, we seem headed in the wrong direction. What gives?
Happy Holidays, Rog!
Do you think Luciano is ready to be a mainstay at shortstop at the big league level this year? I know there aren’t many better options intently or externally, but
I’m worried he’s not seasoned enough and could become a 2022 Joey Bart or 2023 David Villar.
Assuming Jung-Hoo Lee signs, does this put the likes of McCray, Matos, etc on the trade block either than being seen as the CF of the future? Also who is your early tip for No 1 prospect? (My money is on Walker Martin who I've got a really good feeling about)
What do you think are the odds that Bryce Eldridge will be in High A by the time you make your west coast swing through the system?
I don't remember ever reading an explanation for this... why did they set the AutoUmp in AAA to call high strikes as balls? I can't think of any reason to intentionally deviate the strike zone there from the major's.
Hi Roger! It seems like there is a big kerfuffle going on questioning whether San Francisco is a desirable location for major leaguers who have a choice. Most of the recent discussion is about how “safe” the city is, given homelessness and drug use. But I have also heard about an aversion to playing in a “liberal city” by some players with a different political point of view. I think much of this is overblown, but as Buster pointed out, perception becomes reality.
My question for you is how much of this (if any) bleeds into the minor leagues. Are these guys just happy for an opportunity anywhere?
Which upper minors reliever is most likely to contribute to the 2024 club and be next years’ version of Ryan Walker? Thanks for all the great work.
On BRef a few days ago I stumbled across the regular phenomenon of the shared affiliate in the old VSL and (less commonly) the DSL. As the Giants could probably put together three outfields in the ACL but will instead be reduced to one, and I assume some other org could say the same about having too many infielders, do you think the joint affiliate could return in 2024? If you can run two ACL teams with a contract limit of 180, running 1.5 with 165 seems appropriate
If it's not too late, how does the addition of TJ Hopkins from the Reds affect the corner OF depth chart? Is he someone who's just there to fill at-bats or is there a real chance we'll see him on the 40-man at some point? What is there to know about him that we can't get from his BRef page?
Roger - really enjoying the position reviews. And wow Center Field is really lacking below AA with undrafted players, etc. Is this related to the Giants taking so many pitchers over position players? You alluded in your post to their need to focus on this in the next draft. Just kind of wild when you look at your chart. Thank you.
Happy holidays, Roger! Let’s talk tools. I remember your bemoaning the big club’s lack of players with dynamic tools in a KROG pod early in the offseason. (BTW, I dig the brutal honesty that comes out more in these pods.) I believe you feel the farm system also has very few position players with game-changing tools (or tools-in-the-making) and that emphasizing the development of prospects with big tools would have notable benefits. What’s the biggest reason for the dearth of such prospects? Would you give an example or two of a different decision you would’ve liked to have seen to prioritize a tools-centric approach? And most significantly, how do you think the brass views this topic, particularly in terms of talent acquisition going forward?
Crystal Ball time Roger, and just fir the fun of it now the first draft top 100 (and first mock) has been posted who is your first pick for the Giants ( I'm going Brody Brecht)? Aside from the 'pick the best of what is available' mantra, do you see any potential leaning towards pitchers or position players based on what us in system at present?
Would the Giants’ pitching prospects like Mason Black and Hayden Birdsong be held in higher regard if they were in a system like the Yankees or Dodgers? Is there really that large of a separation between the Giants’ pitching prospects and the prospects in those systems?
Jung-Hoo Lee's swing looks really funky to me. But if the Giants are willing to hand him 113MM maybe I shouldn't worry about it too much. Do you think he'd need to retool his swing? And would you have data on how often do players coming from another country would do so?
Not a mailbag question, but a question nonetheless. Is the subscription special for new readers only?
It is, yes. Sorry Lyle
No problem - just clarifying.
If the Giants have a penchant for bringing in players with local connections, are there any candidates out there now that the team might consider (e.g., Corbin Burnes, Andrew Vaughn, Nico Hoerner, Cal Quantrill, Tommy Edman, etc)? Based off positional need, tradeable assets, and organizational fit, would any of these trades make sense for the Giants, and would their current teams even consider it?