Roupp seems to be all anyone is talking about at camp. Any idea what he has worked on this offseason to come out such a hot commodity?
What does a good season for Vaun Brown look like this year? He has been struggling to stay on the field for so long that I don't know what the expectation should be if he is healthy for a full season.
While Vaun Brown isn't in major league camp this year he DID make the Giants "Spring Breakout" roster for the prospects game on March 15. So we'll all be able to see him in action next week!
I think my biggest question is about Luciano. Much like last year with Villar at 3B, the Giants have been talking about how committed they are to Marco taking the shortstop role and running with it. He really has not impressed so far in camp, and Ahmed has been hitting really well. I don't think this was the plan, but how do you keep Marco on the 26 if things stay on their current path?
How much does the perception of a teams player development impact individual player rankings? For example do players in systems like the rays or dodgers get “boosts” amongst evaluators because there is an underlying confidence in the system itself?
This will be my first Spring Training and I'll also be there for the Spring Breakout game, which I'm super excited for! I think it's a great way to give fans a chance to see young players early on in their development in case they don't live near one of the affiliates. Any idea what the history is behind this or how the concept of a prospects game came to be? Which guy on the Breakout Game roster are you most excited to see in person? (sorry that was two questions)
Perhaps not a question, but a suggestion: the org has had a full season with Pete Putila at GM. How is he driving change in the org, particularly related to the young talent development, and working with Haines, etc. Seems he’s continued to have a low profile - not a bad thing by any stretch - but would be good to get a better sense of his role, impact (if anything can be evaluated in just a year), etc.
I’m hoping you can take us behind the scenes in the strategy for your Spring Training reporting. I imagine it’s like Disneyland for a prospects writer. How will you prioritize watching different level games or training sessions? What is your access like at Papago Park and at minor league venues in the desert? Do you schedule interviews with club officials or other personnel in advance? What would make this a great trip for There R Giants? Thanks and happy reporting, Roger!
What are your thoughts on the Giants Spring Breakout roster? Any surprises - inclusion or exclusion? I'm pretty surprised to see both Martin and Ahuna included given they didn't play after signing last year.
Do you know if Luciano’s K’s so far in spring training have been because of approach or swing and miss in the zone? I really enjoyed your SEAGER analysis about him working deep counts, and ultimately striking out. Is that still the issue so far and how concerned are you about it?
In a recent post, you mentioned that Eldridge was not a surprise draft pick because #19 is about the area where the top college hitters have already been chosen and teams begin to consider HS hitters. In that same vein of thinking, what sort of prospects are generally in play around #13?
In today's game Wade Meckler singled and is now 8 for 20 with at least 7 RBI. Any insight as to whether he has now mastered hitting the breaking ball or is just doing what he does, terrorizing sub- major league pitchers.
In a recent article in The Athletic (and well worth everyone's time to read), Eno Sarris and Ken Rosenthal interviewed Dr. Keith Meister, team physician for the Texas Rangers. He's an orthopedic surgeon, and he says that the recent spike in pitcher injuries is directly related to the recent advent of the power changeup and sweeper. It's a fascinating - and scary - article, bringing up several points I won't belabor here. But my question to you is: which Giants pitchers prominently feature the sweeper and/or the power changeup?
Sweeper: too many to begin to name them all. Power changeup, I'm not sure I know any who throw a pitch I'd give that name to, though there are a lot of high velo splitters, which might be the same thing. It is worth noting that several doctors in that same article push back against that notion which definitely is presented more as "gut feel" than "peer reviewed" from Meister. It's an interesting article though. I would say that everything I've read suggests that velocity (on both fastballs and breaking balls) is the single biggest factor in arm injuries because that's what puts the most stress on the arm.
Happy Cactus League Rog! Roll the dice for me on a pitcher and a position player. From the Draft Class/Int’l signings of 2023, who do you see breaking out of the gates and moving the fastest up the system? ala Whisenhunt/Meckler. Why? For fun, please pick a dark horse. (Rounds 11 - 20 or >$500K.)
Thanks for the heads up on GPT’s Substack. So good!
Roupp seems to be all anyone is talking about at camp. Any idea what he has worked on this offseason to come out such a hot commodity?
What does a good season for Vaun Brown look like this year? He has been struggling to stay on the field for so long that I don't know what the expectation should be if he is healthy for a full season.
Good call on Brown. I expect if he was able, he would be in camp.
While Vaun Brown isn't in major league camp this year he DID make the Giants "Spring Breakout" roster for the prospects game on March 15. So we'll all be able to see him in action next week!
I think my biggest question is about Luciano. Much like last year with Villar at 3B, the Giants have been talking about how committed they are to Marco taking the shortstop role and running with it. He really has not impressed so far in camp, and Ahmed has been hitting really well. I don't think this was the plan, but how do you keep Marco on the 26 if things stay on their current path?
What are your interpretations of Spring Training so far? any prospect that's surprised you? Who do you expect to hang around till the end of Spring?
How much does the perception of a teams player development impact individual player rankings? For example do players in systems like the rays or dodgers get “boosts” amongst evaluators because there is an underlying confidence in the system itself?
This will be my first Spring Training and I'll also be there for the Spring Breakout game, which I'm super excited for! I think it's a great way to give fans a chance to see young players early on in their development in case they don't live near one of the affiliates. Any idea what the history is behind this or how the concept of a prospects game came to be? Which guy on the Breakout Game roster are you most excited to see in person? (sorry that was two questions)
There are a lot of possibilities at the shortstop position, but one that I feel like I never hear about anymore is Will Wilson. What's his status?
Perhaps not a question, but a suggestion: the org has had a full season with Pete Putila at GM. How is he driving change in the org, particularly related to the young talent development, and working with Haines, etc. Seems he’s continued to have a low profile - not a bad thing by any stretch - but would be good to get a better sense of his role, impact (if anything can be evaluated in just a year), etc.
I’m hoping you can take us behind the scenes in the strategy for your Spring Training reporting. I imagine it’s like Disneyland for a prospects writer. How will you prioritize watching different level games or training sessions? What is your access like at Papago Park and at minor league venues in the desert? Do you schedule interviews with club officials or other personnel in advance? What would make this a great trip for There R Giants? Thanks and happy reporting, Roger!
What are your thoughts on the Giants Spring Breakout roster? Any surprises - inclusion or exclusion? I'm pretty surprised to see both Martin and Ahuna included given they didn't play after signing last year.
Which offensive prospect do you think has the best chance to break through at the major league level this season?
Do you know if Luciano’s K’s so far in spring training have been because of approach or swing and miss in the zone? I really enjoyed your SEAGER analysis about him working deep counts, and ultimately striking out. Is that still the issue so far and how concerned are you about it?
In a recent post, you mentioned that Eldridge was not a surprise draft pick because #19 is about the area where the top college hitters have already been chosen and teams begin to consider HS hitters. In that same vein of thinking, what sort of prospects are generally in play around #13?
In today's game Wade Meckler singled and is now 8 for 20 with at least 7 RBI. Any insight as to whether he has now mastered hitting the breaking ball or is just doing what he does, terrorizing sub- major league pitchers.
It’s spring. It’s Arizona.
In a recent article in The Athletic (and well worth everyone's time to read), Eno Sarris and Ken Rosenthal interviewed Dr. Keith Meister, team physician for the Texas Rangers. He's an orthopedic surgeon, and he says that the recent spike in pitcher injuries is directly related to the recent advent of the power changeup and sweeper. It's a fascinating - and scary - article, bringing up several points I won't belabor here. But my question to you is: which Giants pitchers prominently feature the sweeper and/or the power changeup?
Sweeper: too many to begin to name them all. Power changeup, I'm not sure I know any who throw a pitch I'd give that name to, though there are a lot of high velo splitters, which might be the same thing. It is worth noting that several doctors in that same article push back against that notion which definitely is presented more as "gut feel" than "peer reviewed" from Meister. It's an interesting article though. I would say that everything I've read suggests that velocity (on both fastballs and breaking balls) is the single biggest factor in arm injuries because that's what puts the most stress on the arm.
Happy Cactus League Rog! Roll the dice for me on a pitcher and a position player. From the Draft Class/Int’l signings of 2023, who do you see breaking out of the gates and moving the fastest up the system? ala Whisenhunt/Meckler. Why? For fun, please pick a dark horse. (Rounds 11 - 20 or >$500K.)
Thanks for the heads up on GPT’s Substack. So good!