The international signings that included Matos, Luciano and Pomares, if you had been told that one of them would be a sometime starter on the big club, would you say that matched expectations? I know all of them have a decade or so of productive careers ahead of them, but if Matos is the only one of that class to make it (and stay a big leaguer), would that still be considered a good outcome? And would you say the 4th member of note from that class Victor Bericoto had a similar year to what we might have seen an uninjured Jairo Pomares produce?
What's the long-term prognosis for Whisenhunt? I read he's expected to make a full recovery and be ready for spring training next year which is fantastic, but how much does this increase the likelihood for a Tommy John down the road? Will Whisenhunt have to adjust as a pitcher in response if it does increase risk of an injury?
Given Harrison's struggles in his past few starts (his lowered fastball velocity was concerning), is it safe to say the Giants' plan to monitor his innings closely so that he would be ready for the stretch run didn't work? Or did his injury play a role in their plan not working out? Furthermore, would you say the Giants' plan to limit innings for all pitchers proved effective overall?
In your opinion, should the Giants slot Kyle Harrison, Keaton Winn and/or Mason Black into the 2024 Opening Day rotation, rather than blocking them with underperforming veterans like DeSclafani and Stripling? Do any of them have anything left to prove at AAA?
I was surprised at a recent article in the Athletic that rated the Giants rookie class this year at the middle of the pack. Not a shock to see the Reds and Orioles rated higher, but half the league? I thought we were witnessing a generational wave hit the top club. I assume you read the same piece. Do you have a take?
Not a question but for some reason I remembered you wondering many months ago why Thomas Szapucki had an extra option year and I looked up the answer but never offered it: he exhausted his three option years without getting to five full seasons on an active roster (only 2019 through 2022 as full), where full seasons are defined as ~90 active roster days (which cuts out most/all short season leagues). That's what was in the old CBA at least. I believe this would also give an extra option year to Randy Rodríguez for 2025 (if the third is used in '24) and José Cruz for 2026 (if the remaining are used up in '24 & '25); there's some gray area in both cases since they were assigned to short-season leagues for 2020, but I believe that's not counted as a full season since the AZL/ACL didn't reach 90 days in other years
Maybe I'm late, but even though Bryce Eldridge was drafted as a 1B on the position player side, does his athleticism suggest he could play corner OFs (or even CF!! a la Bellinger!)
Also, this is more speculative, but what major changes do you think the Giants make in handling prospects next year? This year they have been more aggressive with promotions, but there were hints of this change last year within the minors.
What sort of future do you see for PJ Hilson and Alexander Suarez? They both have struggled to get over the hump in San Jose and have lost playing time to folks like Eldridge and Bandura. Do you think they get the push to Eugene next year or stay in SJ and where do the above mentioned 2023 guys go to start the year?
Thanks, no worries! I know the question was really late and you might have already written your answers and not checked back on the previous post, so I just wanted to make sure.
One thing I’ve been thinking (worrying) about a lot lately both in terms of both talent acquisition/development and major league roster construction is the concept of “crowding.” I worry that the qualities we value in hitters (plate discipline, pitch selection, patience, and power) are predictable and widely valued by other front offices as the Tampa Bay model spreads through the league like wildfire.
If everyone is fishing in the same pond, then the opportunities for edge must surely be elsewhere. But I see little evidence of evolution in our models.
My question is do you see any evidence of innovation on the offensive player selection front? Perhaps the walker Martin, Maui Ahuna selections in the draft point to a new angle that we are adopting?
From what you have seen or heard, what made Gregory Santos so much better this year?
The defense of Matos and Schmitt were so highly rated when they were in the minors, it surprised me that they kind of struggled in the big league. Should we consider this as normal growing pain or is it something more?
Roger, thank you so much for doing these mailbags. They’ve been appointment reading each week. Your thoughtful analysis is tremendous.
Let’s work off the idea that the Giants will try to trade for an established, above-average hitter or two to boost next year’s lineup. (Assumptions: they’re sorely lacking in impact hitters, it’s a weak free agent class sans Ohtani, and the team likely needs a playoff berth in 2024 for Farhan Zaidi’s regime to continue—so pursuing a trade seems prudent.)
In my view, the Giants need to be open to trading premium assets. So, I’m hoping you will handicap the potential outgoing players. Which Giants rookies and minor leaguers (say your top-20 prospects) do you suspect Farhan & Co. value more than trade partners might? Which players—even top-ranked guys—do you feel the brass doesn’t view as highly as other teams might?
The international signings that included Matos, Luciano and Pomares, if you had been told that one of them would be a sometime starter on the big club, would you say that matched expectations? I know all of them have a decade or so of productive careers ahead of them, but if Matos is the only one of that class to make it (and stay a big leaguer), would that still be considered a good outcome? And would you say the 4th member of note from that class Victor Bericoto had a similar year to what we might have seen an uninjured Jairo Pomares produce?
What's the long-term prognosis for Whisenhunt? I read he's expected to make a full recovery and be ready for spring training next year which is fantastic, but how much does this increase the likelihood for a Tommy John down the road? Will Whisenhunt have to adjust as a pitcher in response if it does increase risk of an injury?
Given Harrison's struggles in his past few starts (his lowered fastball velocity was concerning), is it safe to say the Giants' plan to monitor his innings closely so that he would be ready for the stretch run didn't work? Or did his injury play a role in their plan not working out? Furthermore, would you say the Giants' plan to limit innings for all pitchers proved effective overall?
In your opinion, should the Giants slot Kyle Harrison, Keaton Winn and/or Mason Black into the 2024 Opening Day rotation, rather than blocking them with underperforming veterans like DeSclafani and Stripling? Do any of them have anything left to prove at AAA?
Not exactly a prospect question... would you expect Sabol to stay with the big club next year (or most of)?
I was surprised at a recent article in the Athletic that rated the Giants rookie class this year at the middle of the pack. Not a shock to see the Reds and Orioles rated higher, but half the league? I thought we were witnessing a generational wave hit the top club. I assume you read the same piece. Do you have a take?
Not a question but for some reason I remembered you wondering many months ago why Thomas Szapucki had an extra option year and I looked up the answer but never offered it: he exhausted his three option years without getting to five full seasons on an active roster (only 2019 through 2022 as full), where full seasons are defined as ~90 active roster days (which cuts out most/all short season leagues). That's what was in the old CBA at least. I believe this would also give an extra option year to Randy Rodríguez for 2025 (if the third is used in '24) and José Cruz for 2026 (if the remaining are used up in '24 & '25); there's some gray area in both cases since they were assigned to short-season leagues for 2020, but I believe that's not counted as a full season since the AZL/ACL didn't reach 90 days in other years
Maybe I'm late, but even though Bryce Eldridge was drafted as a 1B on the position player side, does his athleticism suggest he could play corner OFs (or even CF!! a la Bellinger!)
Also, this is more speculative, but what major changes do you think the Giants make in handling prospects next year? This year they have been more aggressive with promotions, but there were hints of this change last year within the minors.
Reposting since I posted too late for last week:
What sort of future do you see for PJ Hilson and Alexander Suarez? They both have struggled to get over the hump in San Jose and have lost playing time to folks like Eldridge and Bandura. Do you think they get the push to Eugene next year or stay in SJ and where do the above mentioned 2023 guys go to start the year?
I already had you queued at the top of this weeks upcoming Bag!
Thanks, no worries! I know the question was really late and you might have already written your answers and not checked back on the previous post, so I just wanted to make sure.
One thing I’ve been thinking (worrying) about a lot lately both in terms of both talent acquisition/development and major league roster construction is the concept of “crowding.” I worry that the qualities we value in hitters (plate discipline, pitch selection, patience, and power) are predictable and widely valued by other front offices as the Tampa Bay model spreads through the league like wildfire.
If everyone is fishing in the same pond, then the opportunities for edge must surely be elsewhere. But I see little evidence of evolution in our models.
My question is do you see any evidence of innovation on the offensive player selection front? Perhaps the walker Martin, Maui Ahuna selections in the draft point to a new angle that we are adopting?
From what you have seen or heard, what made Gregory Santos so much better this year?
The defense of Matos and Schmitt were so highly rated when they were in the minors, it surprised me that they kind of struggled in the big league. Should we consider this as normal growing pain or is it something more?
Roger, thank you so much for doing these mailbags. They’ve been appointment reading each week. Your thoughtful analysis is tremendous.
Let’s work off the idea that the Giants will try to trade for an established, above-average hitter or two to boost next year’s lineup. (Assumptions: they’re sorely lacking in impact hitters, it’s a weak free agent class sans Ohtani, and the team likely needs a playoff berth in 2024 for Farhan Zaidi’s regime to continue—so pursuing a trade seems prudent.)
In my view, the Giants need to be open to trading premium assets. So, I’m hoping you will handicap the potential outgoing players. Which Giants rookies and minor leaguers (say your top-20 prospects) do you suspect Farhan & Co. value more than trade partners might? Which players—even top-ranked guys—do you feel the brass doesn’t view as highly as other teams might?
Have you heard any early rumours/news re: International Draft and any 'significant' names?