J.P. Martinez being let go feels more surprising to me than it maybe should. Managers and pitching coaches need to be simpatico, so I can definitely understand Tony Vitello wanting to make his own hire. It just felt like Martinez was pretty roundly well regarded for his work, and pitching coaches who have those reputations don’t seem to grow on trees. Do you think there’s anything more to Martinez’s departure than familiarity? Is there perhaps a change in approach you think the Giants could be eyeing to come in with Vitello, considering he made his bones as a pitching coach?
Happy 3-weeks-in-advance Thanksgiving, Roger! I’m thankful for your year-round amazing coverage of everything Giants!
With Boch coming back, it reminded me of a question I’ve had for a while now. What exactly is the role of special advisors? Do they do anything on a daily basis, consult when asked, or is it much more of a formality than anything else?
I had mentally written off Tyler Fitzgerald. But can Tony Vitello change the equation? I keep thinking to myself how great he’s going to be for guys like Lee, Schmitt, Ramos, Bailey, Birdsong, Roupp, Eldridge, etc. The list goes on for a while. It’s quite exciting when you think about it. But should I even be thinking about it?
Are there any players you feel will benefit more than others with his impact? Or am I crazy for not just wondering, but kind of expecting these players to thrive under their new leader?
If the Giants signed Bo Bichette (not likely for so many reasons), or traded for CJ Abram’s (oh how I would love this), how quickly would we see infielders in the organization getting reps in the OF?
I believe you expect Parks Harber to already be on that path, but who else could you see, and how far down would it go? Could we see Jhonny Level trotting out to CF in San Jose at all next year?
If the clubs most recent 1st round draft pick isn’t even a top 5 prospect in his own system, does that say more about the weakness of the pick or the strength of the system?
Eldridge
Josuar
Level
Davidson
Jordan
Kilen
That’s my top 6. I have an undrafted free agent and a 4th round pick (with 1st round tools) ranked higher than this year’s first round pick. Maybe this means nothing because this is my rankings, but I think it’s more accurate than MLB DOT COM’s.
Hi Roger, wonder if you can give some updates on Giants players playing in Arizona Fall League or the winter leagues in Latin America? Most of what I have seen is about Parks Harber, who's doing quite well in AFL. To what extent does it change your evaluation of him? Thank you.
I've noticed (from your reporting) a divergence in the phylum of player the Giants sign in international market vs. the amateur draft. In general, it seems like the Giants international are all big, fast athletic dudes, while in amateur draft they seem to go for college players and bat to ball skills.
Some of this is just the nature of signing 15 year olds. They're not going to have very developed skills, but is there a difference in evaluation of amateur talent between the amateur draft folks and international scouting department?
Also have the Giant's draft classes been more injured then normal? It does seem like every first round pick has been out for a significant period of time except for Bryce Eldridge.
What will your way too soon roster predictions do about the 4 Vols in the system? Specifically the 2 shortstops. How much will Tony Vitello influence where they start?
I’m sure Tidwell and Gilbert will be competing for ML jobs while serving as depth in AAA if they don’t crack the roster. Can Tidwell be an option in the rebuilt bullpen?
Where would you start Gavin Kilen (and what would the domino effect be for Maui Ahuna and other infielders in the system)? Does he play anywhere other than SS in 2026?
2021 worked so well because [devil magic but also] Posey, Belt, and Crawford played like stars. They added Kris Bryant to the mix who was solid.
It’s hard to deny Kapler’s coaching staff and their influence. And watching so many of those guys land other big time big league jobs is very bittersweet, but I’m giddy with anticipation for the announcement of the next staff.
I’d love some major splashes in free agency and/or the trade market, but it really feels like the Giants would benefit from having a “Farhan Zaidi” type of offseason. Finding another Ruf, Solano, Yaz, Wade, Estrada, etc. Getting good value on pitchers on shorter, proven it type deals (even though I need a splashy co ace addition so badly). Bullpen options I’ve never heard of but turn into big time contributors in a league best bullpen.
It didn’t work from 2022-2024 for a lot of reasons, but one big reason was the lack of offensive stars. Well, they might have something to work with now. Devers for sure, probably Adames and Chapman, and maybe even Lee and/or Ramos.
Not sure I fit an actual question in there, but I’d love to read some of your thoughts on the matter.
Parks Harber seems to have been a really nice 'surprise' trade pick up for the Giants. Do you see any chance of him pushing to be in consideration for a call up by the end of next season?
A guy like Harrison Bader would be a perfect fit for the Giants. But he’s often hurt, and just had his best year with the bat at age 31. A 3 year deal would be justified, but it would feel very Denard Span-y.
But he’s a hair on fire player who plays great defense in CF and crushes lefties. And he seems like the perfect type of player under Vitello.
Are there any players you feel fit Vitello so well that Buster may go out of his way to target? Whether it’s a minor or major free agent or via trade?
It seems as if the stated goal of holding prospects at levels longer to let them thrive in each new setting played out in actions
last year throughout the minors. I would love to hear your thoughts on what, other than just pushing him towards more age appropriate competition, made Dayson Croes the glaring exception to that rule in 2025?
J.P. Martinez being let go feels more surprising to me than it maybe should. Managers and pitching coaches need to be simpatico, so I can definitely understand Tony Vitello wanting to make his own hire. It just felt like Martinez was pretty roundly well regarded for his work, and pitching coaches who have those reputations don’t seem to grow on trees. Do you think there’s anything more to Martinez’s departure than familiarity? Is there perhaps a change in approach you think the Giants could be eyeing to come in with Vitello, considering he made his bones as a pitching coach?
Happy 3-weeks-in-advance Thanksgiving, Roger! I’m thankful for your year-round amazing coverage of everything Giants!
With Boch coming back, it reminded me of a question I’ve had for a while now. What exactly is the role of special advisors? Do they do anything on a daily basis, consult when asked, or is it much more of a formality than anything else?
It feels like a PR thing more than anything.
I had mentally written off Tyler Fitzgerald. But can Tony Vitello change the equation? I keep thinking to myself how great he’s going to be for guys like Lee, Schmitt, Ramos, Bailey, Birdsong, Roupp, Eldridge, etc. The list goes on for a while. It’s quite exciting when you think about it. But should I even be thinking about it?
Are there any players you feel will benefit more than others with his impact? Or am I crazy for not just wondering, but kind of expecting these players to thrive under their new leader?
If the Giants signed Bo Bichette (not likely for so many reasons), or traded for CJ Abram’s (oh how I would love this), how quickly would we see infielders in the organization getting reps in the OF?
I believe you expect Parks Harber to already be on that path, but who else could you see, and how far down would it go? Could we see Jhonny Level trotting out to CF in San Jose at all next year?
If the clubs most recent 1st round draft pick isn’t even a top 5 prospect in his own system, does that say more about the weakness of the pick or the strength of the system?
Eldridge
Josuar
Level
Davidson
Jordan
Kilen
That’s my top 6. I have an undrafted free agent and a 4th round pick (with 1st round tools) ranked higher than this year’s first round pick. Maybe this means nothing because this is my rankings, but I think it’s more accurate than MLB DOT COM’s.
Hi Roger, wonder if you can give some updates on Giants players playing in Arizona Fall League or the winter leagues in Latin America? Most of what I have seen is about Parks Harber, who's doing quite well in AFL. To what extent does it change your evaluation of him? Thank you.
Thanks!
I've noticed (from your reporting) a divergence in the phylum of player the Giants sign in international market vs. the amateur draft. In general, it seems like the Giants international are all big, fast athletic dudes, while in amateur draft they seem to go for college players and bat to ball skills.
Some of this is just the nature of signing 15 year olds. They're not going to have very developed skills, but is there a difference in evaluation of amateur talent between the amateur draft folks and international scouting department?
Also have the Giant's draft classes been more injured then normal? It does seem like every first round pick has been out for a significant period of time except for Bryce Eldridge.
What will your way too soon roster predictions do about the 4 Vols in the system? Specifically the 2 shortstops. How much will Tony Vitello influence where they start?
I’m sure Tidwell and Gilbert will be competing for ML jobs while serving as depth in AAA if they don’t crack the roster. Can Tidwell be an option in the rebuilt bullpen?
Where would you start Gavin Kilen (and what would the domino effect be for Maui Ahuna and other infielders in the system)? Does he play anywhere other than SS in 2026?
Who are you expecting to see purposely left off the 38-Man?
Mason Black already was DFA'ed, but what other former high prospects will be given a chance to catch on somewhere else?
2021 worked so well because [devil magic but also] Posey, Belt, and Crawford played like stars. They added Kris Bryant to the mix who was solid.
It’s hard to deny Kapler’s coaching staff and their influence. And watching so many of those guys land other big time big league jobs is very bittersweet, but I’m giddy with anticipation for the announcement of the next staff.
I’d love some major splashes in free agency and/or the trade market, but it really feels like the Giants would benefit from having a “Farhan Zaidi” type of offseason. Finding another Ruf, Solano, Yaz, Wade, Estrada, etc. Getting good value on pitchers on shorter, proven it type deals (even though I need a splashy co ace addition so badly). Bullpen options I’ve never heard of but turn into big time contributors in a league best bullpen.
It didn’t work from 2022-2024 for a lot of reasons, but one big reason was the lack of offensive stars. Well, they might have something to work with now. Devers for sure, probably Adames and Chapman, and maybe even Lee and/or Ramos.
Not sure I fit an actual question in there, but I’d love to read some of your thoughts on the matter.
Parks Harber seems to have been a really nice 'surprise' trade pick up for the Giants. Do you see any chance of him pushing to be in consideration for a call up by the end of next season?
A guy like Harrison Bader would be a perfect fit for the Giants. But he’s often hurt, and just had his best year with the bat at age 31. A 3 year deal would be justified, but it would feel very Denard Span-y.
But he’s a hair on fire player who plays great defense in CF and crushes lefties. And he seems like the perfect type of player under Vitello.
Are there any players you feel fit Vitello so well that Buster may go out of his way to target? Whether it’s a minor or major free agent or via trade?
It seems as if the stated goal of holding prospects at levels longer to let them thrive in each new setting played out in actions
last year throughout the minors. I would love to hear your thoughts on what, other than just pushing him towards more age appropriate competition, made Dayson Croes the glaring exception to that rule in 2025?
Well, Dayson Croes thrived at every level, basicly forcing them to move him up. Maybe Roger has a better perspective than my layman's opinion.
Really it was just the promotion from AA after 83 ABs that sorta surprised me given the context of the stated organizational philosophy.