To what extent do you think the Giants' ability to develop depth/complementary players is a strength or weakness, particularly when thinking about roster size? In starters, the Giants have a bunch of guys (Birdsong, Roupp, Black, the Carsons, even Beck, Hjelle, or Winn) who could be a cromulent #5 starter in the bigs. They have half a dozen guys who can be 4th outfielders or utility infielders now (and more in the minors), plus a huge array of relief arms.
On the one hand, it's helpful to have these guys you can trust to be above replacement-level (and getting any major leaguer at all is a development win). On the other, getting them all on the 40-man (you've talked about an overbalanced 40-man towards pitchers in the past) can be a challenge, especially when you want more high-impact players. Same thing for trades: everybody could use these players, but they aren't that helpful when trying to acquire a potential All-Star.
I’m a little surprised at how openly the Giants are announcing they’re going to send Eldridge to the Fall League. I know he missed a couple weeks with that sore hamstring, but he’s gonna hit 500 PA in his debut season and played at every full season affiliate in the system. Doesn’t adding more work and travel onto your top prospect, who’s still a teenager and already has a super-sized frame to take care of, seem a bit……I don’t know, cavalier? I know the Fall League is fun and prestigious and scouts love it. I’ve always looked a little sideways at it because of how often I’ve heard prospect observers describe certain players as so worn down and gassed in Arizona that there’s really nothing useful or predictive to take from their performance. Bryce wasn’t out for half the season, he had a soft tissue injury that just truncated his April. Is there really that much more the Giants can gain from him taking yet more at bats in an unfamiliar environment after he’s already put in a full season of work?
(I’ll admit on a more personal anecdotal level that I’ve also always blamed the second hand fracture Joey Bart sustained while in the AFL for his development stalling out with the Giants. So I’m a little extra sensitive about the Giants wanting to make such a big show about Eldridge going out there lol.)
What are you hearing about the Giants organization from scouts and other personnel people you chat with? Themes, player-specific commentary, questions they ask you — I’m curious about what they’re saying recently.
Many thanks for doing these weekly mailbags, Roger. Also, it was great to hear the KROG pod back in action — I hope you guys make that a regular thing in the offseason.
Now that they’ve played in Giants unis for a bit, which of the 2024 draftees and midseason trade acquisitions intrigue you the most? And where do you feel Sabin Ceballos slots into the top 50 rankings?
What do you make of the Giants only giving their top hitting prospects a brief layover in Richmond? It seems odd to me given how hitter friendly the PCL is and the lower quality of stuff among AAA pitchers
What is the appraisal of Sabol's defensive ability at catcher? He seems to have a playable bat for a second catcher, but does he have an adequate glove?
I started listing some names for possible inclusion in my top 30. Can we safely assume these guys have exhausted their rookie status? Matos, Meckler, Jung Hoo Lee, Randy Rodriguez, Black, Winn, Roupp. Who else?
I’ve been saving this question til we head to the offseason. I’m going to a wedding in Richmond in October and will have an extra day or two to explore. Any tips of what to do, where to eat, must-see things, etc? All suggestions are welcome :)
To what extent do you think the Giants' ability to develop depth/complementary players is a strength or weakness, particularly when thinking about roster size? In starters, the Giants have a bunch of guys (Birdsong, Roupp, Black, the Carsons, even Beck, Hjelle, or Winn) who could be a cromulent #5 starter in the bigs. They have half a dozen guys who can be 4th outfielders or utility infielders now (and more in the minors), plus a huge array of relief arms.
On the one hand, it's helpful to have these guys you can trust to be above replacement-level (and getting any major leaguer at all is a development win). On the other, getting them all on the 40-man (you've talked about an overbalanced 40-man towards pitchers in the past) can be a challenge, especially when you want more high-impact players. Same thing for trades: everybody could use these players, but they aren't that helpful when trying to acquire a potential All-Star.
I’m a little surprised at how openly the Giants are announcing they’re going to send Eldridge to the Fall League. I know he missed a couple weeks with that sore hamstring, but he’s gonna hit 500 PA in his debut season and played at every full season affiliate in the system. Doesn’t adding more work and travel onto your top prospect, who’s still a teenager and already has a super-sized frame to take care of, seem a bit……I don’t know, cavalier? I know the Fall League is fun and prestigious and scouts love it. I’ve always looked a little sideways at it because of how often I’ve heard prospect observers describe certain players as so worn down and gassed in Arizona that there’s really nothing useful or predictive to take from their performance. Bryce wasn’t out for half the season, he had a soft tissue injury that just truncated his April. Is there really that much more the Giants can gain from him taking yet more at bats in an unfamiliar environment after he’s already put in a full season of work?
(I’ll admit on a more personal anecdotal level that I’ve also always blamed the second hand fracture Joey Bart sustained while in the AFL for his development stalling out with the Giants. So I’m a little extra sensitive about the Giants wanting to make such a big show about Eldridge going out there lol.)
What are you hearing about the Giants organization from scouts and other personnel people you chat with? Themes, player-specific commentary, questions they ask you — I’m curious about what they’re saying recently.
Many thanks for doing these weekly mailbags, Roger. Also, it was great to hear the KROG pod back in action — I hope you guys make that a regular thing in the offseason.
Now that they’ve played in Giants unis for a bit, which of the 2024 draftees and midseason trade acquisitions intrigue you the most? And where do you feel Sabin Ceballos slots into the top 50 rankings?
What do you make of the Giants only giving their top hitting prospects a brief layover in Richmond? It seems odd to me given how hitter friendly the PCL is and the lower quality of stuff among AAA pitchers
What is the appraisal of Sabol's defensive ability at catcher? He seems to have a playable bat for a second catcher, but does he have an adequate glove?
Do tge Giants have enough in Ramos, McCray, Natos, Encarnacion, Fitzgerald, Meckler etc to non-tender Yaz?
I started listing some names for possible inclusion in my top 30. Can we safely assume these guys have exhausted their rookie status? Matos, Meckler, Jung Hoo Lee, Randy Rodriguez, Black, Winn, Roupp. Who else?
Any update on who the Giants might send to the AFL?
Also, can you explain the AFL a bit?
Any update on Gerelmi Maldonado? Has he begun any light tossing? And with that any update on any other injured players?
I’ve been saving this question til we head to the offseason. I’m going to a wedding in Richmond in October and will have an extra day or two to explore. Any tips of what to do, where to eat, must-see things, etc? All suggestions are welcome :)