Bart. Catching is always a need, Bailey has been (oddly) abysmal against RHP, and Bart has been a better hitter against RHP over his MLB carreer (though only slight;y better than Bailey). It will be interesting to see what they do with Sabol once he can be optioned. My guess would be that they would rather keep Bart and have Sabol as an optionable fall-back than lose Bart, the oposite of this year.
I would rather keep all three of those guys over Hjelle, Szapucki, or Mathias, and probably over Waites, Cruz, or Rodriguez.
I'd be pretty surprised if Szapucki or Mathias make it past roster cleanup day five days after World Series ends, and I would guess Hjelle's clock is ticking as well.
I agree with your second point and would keep any of the three over those guys you listed (although Rodriguez is a tough call). I just wonder if Ramos would be the choice to keep because he's had the least big league experience, although the fact that he hasn't been called up much this season is an indication that the organization isn't too high on him. Bart has struggled mightily offensively at the bigs and hasn't lit the world on fire in Sac this season, I just wonder if the giants see him as a guy who needs a change of scenery.
I also still like Ramos. I think he is a victim of his own lack of results in 21-22, not fitting the current org mold, and not being a guy the current administration picked. Given his youth, his results/improved approach this year, and his ability to hit the ball very hard that he has always had, I think he could still have a productive MLB carreer, probably more productive than Bart given his age/approach/poor results. I would keep Ramos! But, given the OF options (current and future) and the lack of catching options ready to even be a MLB back-up catcher, if I had to pick between the 2, I'd keep Bart.
After back to back seasons of injuries for Marco Luciano, how would you handle him going into 2024? Is he still a shortstop, and if so, would you give him the inside track to be the opening day shortstop? What concerns do you have that injuries have/will hamper his development? Is his approach at the plate satisfactory to a front office that likes a specific, patient approach at the plate?
The more that I think about it, the more curious I am about the Giants picking two high-school hitters atop their 2023 draft (as most analysts feel Bryce Eldridge profiles better as a hitter than pitcher). A few musings. First, the front office has generally been quite risk averse, but these selections seem to be quite high on the risk-reward spectrum. Second, as you've discussed, the Farhan Zaidi regime hasn't proven to be "good at" developing hitters right now, with a few modest exceptions. So, the brass seems to have swung for the fences by picking Eldridge and then going way over slot to sign Walker Martin — instead of drafting a tantalizing pitcher or experienced college hitter with at least one of the picks. It strikes me as very interesting that the brass chose to place huge bets on teenage offensive potential (twice!) and on the org's ability to develop it. Why do you think Farhan & Co. made these big bets?
Justin Wishkoski started his pro career with 7 walks before striking out, or 10 walks before his second K, if you prefer. Are there any other great walking streaks to open a pro career in Giants org history?
When hired last fall, Pete Putila talked about how it was critical for prospects to focus on developing the skills that would determine their success at the major league level — including prioritizing that over minor league production. From that lens, how would you assess the progress this season of the top 10 prospects in your latest rankings?
Love the mailbags! Thanks for doing them. Kind of a summary questions (if that's the right way to say it) Who might realistically be able to contribute in the majors next year that is not currently on the 40 man? Do you see any power hitters coming any time soon in the pipeline?
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 notice in your interview with the Spanish-as-first-language players there is most always an interpreter. Is that just for clarity in your interviews? Seems to me that most of them probably have some proficiency in English just by being here and hanging out with English speaking teammates or am I wrong on that?.
How do you see the Giants selecting for the upcoming AFL? Is it a case of getting players who've missed time (such as Corry, Stryfeller) some extra reps or do they challenge players against a potentially higher level - Arteaga McCray, Bericoto, Johnson for instance?
If the Giants were to keep one of the players on the 40 man roster who are seemingly on the outs—Ramos, Bart, Villar—who would you keep?
Bart. Catching is always a need, Bailey has been (oddly) abysmal against RHP, and Bart has been a better hitter against RHP over his MLB carreer (though only slight;y better than Bailey). It will be interesting to see what they do with Sabol once he can be optioned. My guess would be that they would rather keep Bart and have Sabol as an optionable fall-back than lose Bart, the oposite of this year.
I would rather keep all three of those guys over Hjelle, Szapucki, or Mathias, and probably over Waites, Cruz, or Rodriguez.
I'd be pretty surprised if Szapucki or Mathias make it past roster cleanup day five days after World Series ends, and I would guess Hjelle's clock is ticking as well.
I agree with your second point and would keep any of the three over those guys you listed (although Rodriguez is a tough call). I just wonder if Ramos would be the choice to keep because he's had the least big league experience, although the fact that he hasn't been called up much this season is an indication that the organization isn't too high on him. Bart has struggled mightily offensively at the bigs and hasn't lit the world on fire in Sac this season, I just wonder if the giants see him as a guy who needs a change of scenery.
I also still like Ramos. I think he is a victim of his own lack of results in 21-22, not fitting the current org mold, and not being a guy the current administration picked. Given his youth, his results/improved approach this year, and his ability to hit the ball very hard that he has always had, I think he could still have a productive MLB carreer, probably more productive than Bart given his age/approach/poor results. I would keep Ramos! But, given the OF options (current and future) and the lack of catching options ready to even be a MLB back-up catcher, if I had to pick between the 2, I'd keep Bart.
After back to back seasons of injuries for Marco Luciano, how would you handle him going into 2024? Is he still a shortstop, and if so, would you give him the inside track to be the opening day shortstop? What concerns do you have that injuries have/will hamper his development? Is his approach at the plate satisfactory to a front office that likes a specific, patient approach at the plate?
The more that I think about it, the more curious I am about the Giants picking two high-school hitters atop their 2023 draft (as most analysts feel Bryce Eldridge profiles better as a hitter than pitcher). A few musings. First, the front office has generally been quite risk averse, but these selections seem to be quite high on the risk-reward spectrum. Second, as you've discussed, the Farhan Zaidi regime hasn't proven to be "good at" developing hitters right now, with a few modest exceptions. So, the brass seems to have swung for the fences by picking Eldridge and then going way over slot to sign Walker Martin — instead of drafting a tantalizing pitcher or experienced college hitter with at least one of the picks. It strikes me as very interesting that the brass chose to place huge bets on teenage offensive potential (twice!) and on the org's ability to develop it. Why do you think Farhan & Co. made these big bets?
Justin Wishkoski started his pro career with 7 walks before striking out, or 10 walks before his second K, if you prefer. Are there any other great walking streaks to open a pro career in Giants org history?
When hired last fall, Pete Putila talked about how it was critical for prospects to focus on developing the skills that would determine their success at the major league level — including prioritizing that over minor league production. From that lens, how would you assess the progress this season of the top 10 prospects in your latest rankings?
Love the mailbags! Thanks for doing them. Kind of a summary questions (if that's the right way to say it) Who might realistically be able to contribute in the majors next year that is not currently on the 40 man? Do you see any power hitters coming any time soon in the pipeline?
Did you get any word on The Whiz when you were in Richmond? Assume he is potentially done for the year unless they make the championship?
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 notice in your interview with the Spanish-as-first-language players there is most always an interpreter. Is that just for clarity in your interviews? Seems to me that most of them probably have some proficiency in English just by being here and hanging out with English speaking teammates or am I wrong on that?.
How do you see the Giants selecting for the upcoming AFL? Is it a case of getting players who've missed time (such as Corry, Stryfeller) some extra reps or do they challenge players against a potentially higher level - Arteaga McCray, Bericoto, Johnson for instance?