Ok, now that we’re about a month away from the season — and with some major changes for the Giants organization afoot — perhaps it’s a good time for our October Free for All mailbag!
It seems like there are baseball analysts who aren't especially complimentary of the Giants' minor league system, as in they think it's really crap. But I don't know; it seems that we benefitted from the arrival of several young players and there are at least three or four more potential true major league players in the pipeline. So what gives here, do you think? Is it the case where I simply don't know about other teams' minor league systems, which might be much better than the Giants' system or is it that there's just a bunch of haters out there who want to jump on our recent mediocre seasons and see nothing but incompetence in the front office? I would like to know your objective, albeit biased, views on the state of our minor league system.
Saw your mention of Bishop in the Sac write up. Any thoughts on where he goes from here and/or how he fits (or doesn't) fit in the future with the Giants? (crystal ball time - lol) Thanks much!
I’m dying to know your thoughts on the change at the top generally, but if I have to boil it down to one question—do you have any thoughts on how the approach to drafting and development might change in moving from Farhan to Posey?
Roger, as someone who started watching the Giants a year after Will Clark's debut, I've basically been a spoiled brat. That cell of talent followed by Bonds followed by the championship era (with a couple of dips in there, of course). I have never experienced this type of competition from the Giants in this phase that they're in... searching, drifting, flailing... is this the 1970s Giants all over again and are we really on a path to a decade of second division competitiveness?
Hi Rog! Like all Giants prospect heads I am eagerly awaiting Posey's fleshing out of the front office so that we can read the tea leaves about the future of our scouting/dev group. But before moving forward, I wonder if we can engage in some hidsight? Were you as confused/distressed by the demotion of Pete Putilla as I was? From afar, I have been impressed by Putilla's apparent influence on our draft strategy the past 2 drafts. His vision seemed "scoutier' with an emphasis on physicality and upside missing from the preceding Harris regime?
There is now a 2-year streak of the top international amateur playing state side the year they sign. Do you think there is any chance we see three in a row?
Hi Ezra, can I just clarify your meaning with this question? The top prospects of the past three years have all played their debut season in the DSL (though some come to Arizona for spring training).
Any insight on JP Martinez? Additionally, any on Bryan Price? I’m curious how up to date he could have been on current pitching tech and development given that Melvin plucked him out of retirement.
It seems like there are baseball analysts who aren't especially complimentary of the Giants' minor league system, as in they think it's really crap. But I don't know; it seems that we benefitted from the arrival of several young players and there are at least three or four more potential true major league players in the pipeline. So what gives here, do you think? Is it the case where I simply don't know about other teams' minor league systems, which might be much better than the Giants' system or is it that there's just a bunch of haters out there who want to jump on our recent mediocre seasons and see nothing but incompetence in the front office? I would like to know your objective, albeit biased, views on the state of our minor league system.
Hi Roger!
For the GM candidates linked to the Giants so far, are there any you think would be a particularly good fit for the organization?
Is there someone whose name hasn’t come up yet who you’re hoping will be a candidate?
Saw your mention of Bishop in the Sac write up. Any thoughts on where he goes from here and/or how he fits (or doesn't) fit in the future with the Giants? (crystal ball time - lol) Thanks much!
I’m dying to know your thoughts on the change at the top generally, but if I have to boil it down to one question—do you have any thoughts on how the approach to drafting and development might change in moving from Farhan to Posey?
Roger, as someone who started watching the Giants a year after Will Clark's debut, I've basically been a spoiled brat. That cell of talent followed by Bonds followed by the championship era (with a couple of dips in there, of course). I have never experienced this type of competition from the Giants in this phase that they're in... searching, drifting, flailing... is this the 1970s Giants all over again and are we really on a path to a decade of second division competitiveness?
Hi Rog! Like all Giants prospect heads I am eagerly awaiting Posey's fleshing out of the front office so that we can read the tea leaves about the future of our scouting/dev group. But before moving forward, I wonder if we can engage in some hidsight? Were you as confused/distressed by the demotion of Pete Putilla as I was? From afar, I have been impressed by Putilla's apparent influence on our draft strategy the past 2 drafts. His vision seemed "scoutier' with an emphasis on physicality and upside missing from the preceding Harris regime?
There is now a 2-year streak of the top international amateur playing state side the year they sign. Do you think there is any chance we see three in a row?
Hi Ezra, can I just clarify your meaning with this question? The top prospects of the past three years have all played their debut season in the DSL (though some come to Arizona for spring training).
I meant top overall prospects in Vries and Salas.
Ah ok! That's good clarification! Thanks.
Any insight on JP Martinez? Additionally, any on Bryan Price? I’m curious how up to date he could have been on current pitching tech and development given that Melvin plucked him out of retirement.