Now that my top 50 is completed, I’d like to answer any questions you have on players on or off the list for a Free For All subscribers Top 50 Mailbag edition.
There was a bit of a debate on the Athletic about whether Winn's likely future is as a starter or not. Have you seen anything to suggest that the Giants are considering shifting him to the pen?
What’s the scoop on Estanlin Cassiani from scouts? You grade him at 35 overall, but flirting with .400, he must have a pretty good hit tool? He doesn’t strike out much, but has a very high BABIP. 🤔
Hello Roger: more a question for you, about you: you watch a lot of minor league games live. how often have you said, ok, that's a major leaguer! and it turned out to be true. seeing games live, i am amazed at how clueless i am despite decades of watching games. it is so hard to make it in the league, it boggles the mind. thanks. i will hang up and listen. -e
Regarding PJ Hilson, do you think the Giants will be more pessimistic with him because he spent 4 years in the Complex league or promote like any other player if he performs?
They took a long time to promote him to SJ, the small sample size I saw there was a dynamic offensive player with a 70 grade defense in CF or RF. He also has one of the strongest most accurate arms I’ve seen in person. Pretty much everything your write up said. Keep on hitting PJ!
I'll ask about Jimmy Glowenke. He's a 2nd round pick, and just 23 (turning 24 this year), but he doesn't make your Top 50 for obvious reasons (swing-and-miss being the biggest one). What's your read on him/how do you think the Giants feel? Is he a draft miss, like many fans (rightly or wrongly) are saying about 1st rounders like Bishop and Bailey? Where do you think he'll start the season, and is there room for him to rise, or will he be viewed as someone who just needs to grind his way up level by level?
Thanks for all your great work!
PS I know he was a 2020 2nd round pick, with Harrison in the 3rd round and all the COVID weirdness; should that affect our expectations?
In recent years, the Giants have consistently prioritized offense, and have been willing to sacrifice defense in favor of dingers and OBP. Does that philosophy suggest that the “defense-first“ prospects are slightly more likely to be traded or to be held back in hopes that they'll develop more substantial offensive abilities, and are generally unlikely to able to ride defense to the majors? In other words, do you think there's any likelihood that we'd see Artega as a glove-first SS who can develop at MLB, or will he be called up only when his bat is ready?
Carson Seymour is a name ive been getting more and more interested in. I enjoyed your write up on him and forgot about how highly Prospects Live had him ranked. Is it too optimistic to think Seymour could be knocking on the MLB door by the start of 2024?
My perception is the Giants organization is middle of the pack or slightly above in terms of development track record. I think of St. Louis, Houston, Tampa Bay, and (gag) LAD as systems that always seem to have plenty of high ceiling guys in spite of lower draft and IFA budget position. I would like to know whether you agree with my perception and what gaps you think the Giants need to fill to rise to the top tier.
I know that everyone loves Ismael Munguia for his aggressive style of play. Your sources at the minor league camp: do they think he gets healthy and back on track this year?
Not truly prospect related but I saw this from Codify on various ST stats with the new rules. 20% increase in HBP so far this spring. Was this something that was an issue in the minors when the clock first came in?
Hey Roger. You do such a great job. I look forward to your blog. I’m going to be in Scottsdale visiting my good friend Bobby and George Brett.I hope to see some of the top prospects play. John Altamura
Wow John! That's impressive. Not everyone can drop a "my good friend George Brett" line. Hope you have fun. I'll be there in two weeks after a wedding I must attend (not anybody famous though!). Appreciate the support as always and hope you see some great performances!
My trip to the HOF was the 1999 Induction Ceremony. Brett brought a big crowd as did Robin Yount. I was happier to see Cepeda go in, of course. I think that was an attendance record at the time. Did you go?
Two questions:
1) If you could have one of the top 50 prospects hit his ceiling, who would you pick?
2) Which 5 prospects, of the top 50, will you be following closest, in terms of progress? Alternately, 2 in the top 10 and 2 in the bottom 40. Why?
Thanks for all of the work you do, it is tremendously fun to follow and read!
I emailed this to you but to be sure:
What pitchers in the system have a better than 50/50 chance to be Starters?
Roupp? Lonsway? Black? Silva?
Hi Roger - loved the top 50
There was a bit of a debate on the Athletic about whether Winn's likely future is as a starter or not. Have you seen anything to suggest that the Giants are considering shifting him to the pen?
What’s the scoop on Estanlin Cassiani from scouts? You grade him at 35 overall, but flirting with .400, he must have a pretty good hit tool? He doesn’t strike out much, but has a very high BABIP. 🤔
Hello Roger: more a question for you, about you: you watch a lot of minor league games live. how often have you said, ok, that's a major leaguer! and it turned out to be true. seeing games live, i am amazed at how clueless i am despite decades of watching games. it is so hard to make it in the league, it boggles the mind. thanks. i will hang up and listen. -e
Regarding PJ Hilson, do you think the Giants will be more pessimistic with him because he spent 4 years in the Complex league or promote like any other player if he performs?
They took a long time to promote him to SJ, the small sample size I saw there was a dynamic offensive player with a 70 grade defense in CF or RF. He also has one of the strongest most accurate arms I’ve seen in person. Pretty much everything your write up said. Keep on hitting PJ!
I'll ask about Jimmy Glowenke. He's a 2nd round pick, and just 23 (turning 24 this year), but he doesn't make your Top 50 for obvious reasons (swing-and-miss being the biggest one). What's your read on him/how do you think the Giants feel? Is he a draft miss, like many fans (rightly or wrongly) are saying about 1st rounders like Bishop and Bailey? Where do you think he'll start the season, and is there room for him to rise, or will he be viewed as someone who just needs to grind his way up level by level?
Thanks for all your great work!
PS I know he was a 2020 2nd round pick, with Harrison in the 3rd round and all the COVID weirdness; should that affect our expectations?
Bang up job Mr Munter!
Question:
A) in order to retain Sabol, he has to be on the major league team on opening day, right?
B) what is the likelihood that Sabol finishes the year a Giant?
C) how would you fill out his “starts by position” pie chart? Reasoning?
How can I be da man, when you da man Rog? 😉
In recent years, the Giants have consistently prioritized offense, and have been willing to sacrifice defense in favor of dingers and OBP. Does that philosophy suggest that the “defense-first“ prospects are slightly more likely to be traded or to be held back in hopes that they'll develop more substantial offensive abilities, and are generally unlikely to able to ride defense to the majors? In other words, do you think there's any likelihood that we'd see Artega as a glove-first SS who can develop at MLB, or will he be called up only when his bat is ready?
Carson Seymour is a name ive been getting more and more interested in. I enjoyed your write up on him and forgot about how highly Prospects Live had him ranked. Is it too optimistic to think Seymour could be knocking on the MLB door by the start of 2024?
Hi Roger,
My perception is the Giants organization is middle of the pack or slightly above in terms of development track record. I think of St. Louis, Houston, Tampa Bay, and (gag) LAD as systems that always seem to have plenty of high ceiling guys in spite of lower draft and IFA budget position. I would like to know whether you agree with my perception and what gaps you think the Giants need to fill to rise to the top tier.
Will Luciano get the opportunity to play SS in San Francisco during the 2023 Season?
Thanks for the series Roger - a really fun and fascinating read. A couple of questions if I may:
A name I haven't seen mentioned (I think) is Jared Dupere, who seemed to have a good 2022 getting promoted to High A; what are your thoughts on him?
Do you see the Giants trying to 'fix' Matt Miikulski as a starter or do you think he is destined for the 'pen?
I know that everyone loves Ismael Munguia for his aggressive style of play. Your sources at the minor league camp: do they think he gets healthy and back on track this year?
Not truly prospect related but I saw this from Codify on various ST stats with the new rules. 20% increase in HBP so far this spring. Was this something that was an issue in the minors when the clock first came in?
https://twitter.com/CodifyBaseball/status/1632951639442325505?t=i2dqtZPRXC3xRvbcJd-Vew&s=01
It actually wasn't. HBP% in the minors in 2021 (pre-clock) was 1.6% and HBP% in 2022 (with clock) was also 1.6%.
(source: https://i.redd.it/l3gvamqvpdj91.jpg)
Hey Roger. You do such a great job. I look forward to your blog. I’m going to be in Scottsdale visiting my good friend Bobby and George Brett.I hope to see some of the top prospects play. John Altamura
Wow John! That's impressive. Not everyone can drop a "my good friend George Brett" line. Hope you have fun. I'll be there in two weeks after a wedding I must attend (not anybody famous though!). Appreciate the support as always and hope you see some great performances!
My trip to the HOF was the 1999 Induction Ceremony. Brett brought a big crowd as did Robin Yount. I was happier to see Cepeda go in, of course. I think that was an attendance record at the time. Did you go?