Given the emphasis Posey and Winn put on developing a winning culture in the minors and the fact we have a real shot at putting all our teams in the playoffs, do you see anything being done differently in that sense? Or does it seem to be just a mix of luck, the 2-halves system (or Richmond would never dream of playoffs) and maybe the slower pace of promotions helping a couple teams?
As a bonus question: I haven’t been able to find the last time all our minor league teams made the playoffs. Would you know by any chance?
As someone that regularly watches Pacific coast league games, what are your thoughts on a team potentially ending up in Salt Lake City? I lived in Utah for a while and to me it seems like they would have the same problems as Colorado with pitchers struggling to keep the ball in the park. And while the owners would hopefully be more competent than the ones in Denver, they would also be operating in an even smaller market.
With Eldridge's path to the MLB seemingly blocked by Devers at 1B for the foreseeable future, is there a path for him to be a DH/Pitcher since he was originally drafted as a 2-way player? Or has his pitching side been pretty much abandoned now?
I know Eldridge has some things to work on at the plate, but there’s been a lot of conversation about him being ready defensively. Is there any reason why he necessarily has to be a 1B? Seems like Devers can at minimum play an average first base if not better and Eldridge’s defense ceiling seems more like just average. I know a top prospect DH isn’t as appealing, but the Giants could always use a power bat.
He looks to me like prime Tommy LaStella (ducks). I got much enjoyment in last night's game against the Aqua Sox when he came to the plate for the 3rd time and the announcer said something like "There's that man again" and two pitches later uttered in low-key wonder, "you've got to be kidding me..." as the ball cleared everything in sight over the right field fence.. The great Lon Simmons would do the same whenever Richie (later, Dick) Allen would come to the plate. I'm still smiling.
I like Furman a lot, but keep in mind that he's performing at a level he's already spent significant time in and moved on from. He put a 165 wRC+ in a much better High-A league last year. So he should be killing these guys
Great point. That's the weird thing about rehab assignments, maybe some things should come with an asterisk. Regardless, after 5 home runs in 5 games against them, that same announcer's reaction when Furman hit the ball right at a guy, instead of over the fence for a mult-run homer in the ninth to steal a won game, was priceless.
Bryce Eldridge is #13 on MLB Pipeline's Top-100 prospect list and isn't yet on the 40-man roster. His trade value may be higher right now than it ever will be. I've read before that the offseason is the best time to move a valuable player since all teams are looking to add, as opposed to the deadline, when it's just a handful. Also, 1B Devers is signed through 2033, and Heliot Ramos (FA in 2030) has the team's lowest Defensive Runs Above Average, suggesting he may be a DH sooner rather than later.
So, thought exercise: what kind of return would it take for you, Roger (GM for a day), to sign off on moving the large slugger before the Cactus League report date? Not names of particular targets necessarily, more curious about the overall framework of the deal that would move you enough to pull the trigger.
He’s only been in the org for two months, so my apologies if this is a question you just don’t have the data to answer the way you want: how fast is Trevor Cohen? He’s had all the “runs well/can handle center” scouting talk, but it’s been so long since the Giants have had players who can use their speed as a true in-game weapon. I’m hoping that’ll be more common as part of Posey’s “contact, speed, defense” focus, and I’ve been wondering if that’s expected to be a big part of Cohen’s game, or if his main carrying tool is just meant to be that *points at Jonah Hill* he gets on base.
My question is similar to those of Trevor York and Jonathan...
I’m pleasantly surprised to see how well Devers has handled his move to first base. I’ve also been encouraged by the reports on how quickly Eldridge himself has progressed there, and how much he’s benefited from J.T. Snow’s tutoring.
But it does seem to set up a logjam at first base.
What I’ve been hearing all along is that the Giants are determined not to have Eldridge’s career begin at DH. And Devers seems best suited to playing first base.
So I’m wondering about an option that I thought was out of the question…Eldridge playing outfield.
My understanding is that Eldridge has no outfield experience, but I see he’s played more than 200 innings in right field. The other thing I’ve heard is that he really looked bad in the outfield. Like, “avert your eyes” awful. But what if the Giants really focused on helping Eldridge learn and develop good outfielding skills, the same way they’ve developed his skills at first base?
They’d have the entire offseason to help him learn and develop as an outfielder. Then they could either move Ramos to DH, or they could have Ramos work on his outfielding skills too.
Apologies for the multiple questions, but they are in a sense variations on a theme. I was looking at pictures of the Felipe Alou Baseball Academy, and it is an impressive looking campus. To what extent do you think the organization’s signing of Josuar Gonzalez and presumably Luis Hernandez signal improvements in approach or presence versus the team being in the middle of a somewhat fortunate run? Have you seen the Posey regime pretty much hold the course on this, or have there been further changes? Relatedly, players tend to come to MLB from Asia at an older age than Latin America, so the approach in Latin America may not be well tailored for Asia, but is there anything the Giants can do (or are doing) there to improve the organization’s reputation among the top Asian players? Does none of this matter because it’s just about the size of the contract they offer?
September expansion. We seem to know exactly what we have in AAA outfield with one exception. Can you see a Hunter Bishop leapfrog over Luciano and Wisley to see whether he gets dropped or has a spring invite?
We can always find a 60 day spot to camp someone. Matos seems to be on a hot streak, pushing him past Encarnation. Bishop seems to have the athleticism to at least get a decent look before rule 5 takes him away.
I see his upside over a few off the “all hit, so so fielders” we seem to have plenty of.
I was at the Eugene-Everett game Friday night and the announcer said Game 3 of the playoff series was on the 12th in Everett with games 4 and 5 the next two nights if necessary.
Peering into your crystal ball to next March, who will be fighting for a spot on the active roster next Opening Day? And you don’t have to exclude the big guy.
Great to see Ryan Murphy back piching at Richmond. Can see him getting picked up in the minor league Rule 5 draft like fellow 2020 draftees Swiney and Glowenke or can the Giants protect him without adding to 40-man?
Given the emphasis Posey and Winn put on developing a winning culture in the minors and the fact we have a real shot at putting all our teams in the playoffs, do you see anything being done differently in that sense? Or does it seem to be just a mix of luck, the 2-halves system (or Richmond would never dream of playoffs) and maybe the slower pace of promotions helping a couple teams?
As a bonus question: I haven’t been able to find the last time all our minor league teams made the playoffs. Would you know by any chance?
As someone that regularly watches Pacific coast league games, what are your thoughts on a team potentially ending up in Salt Lake City? I lived in Utah for a while and to me it seems like they would have the same problems as Colorado with pitchers struggling to keep the ball in the park. And while the owners would hopefully be more competent than the ones in Denver, they would also be operating in an even smaller market.
The dodgers have 5 top 100 (65) prospects according to mlb dot com. The Giants have 1.
1. Bryce Eldridge
2. Josuar Gonzalez
3. Gavin Kilen
4. Jhonny Level
5. Bo Davidson
Or
1. Jose De Paula
2. Zyhir Hope
3. Alex Freeland
4. Eduardo Quintero
5. Mike Sirota
Am I crazy or is the dodgers group not all that impressive? Am I crazy for thinking our group is superior?
With Eldridge's path to the MLB seemingly blocked by Devers at 1B for the foreseeable future, is there a path for him to be a DH/Pitcher since he was originally drafted as a 2-way player? Or has his pitching side been pretty much abandoned now?
I know Eldridge has some things to work on at the plate, but there’s been a lot of conversation about him being ready defensively. Is there any reason why he necessarily has to be a 1B? Seems like Devers can at minimum play an average first base if not better and Eldridge’s defense ceiling seems more like just average. I know a top prospect DH isn’t as appealing, but the Giants could always use a power bat.
How’s it been transitioning from your old career to a reporter/writer? You’re a good interviewer but is it hard to ask people for favors?
Nate Furman.
That's it, just 'Nate Furman.'
He looks to me like prime Tommy LaStella (ducks). I got much enjoyment in last night's game against the Aqua Sox when he came to the plate for the 3rd time and the announcer said something like "There's that man again" and two pitches later uttered in low-key wonder, "you've got to be kidding me..." as the ball cleared everything in sight over the right field fence.. The great Lon Simmons would do the same whenever Richie (later, Dick) Allen would come to the plate. I'm still smiling.
I like Furman a lot, but keep in mind that he's performing at a level he's already spent significant time in and moved on from. He put a 165 wRC+ in a much better High-A league last year. So he should be killing these guys
Great point. That's the weird thing about rehab assignments, maybe some things should come with an asterisk. Regardless, after 5 home runs in 5 games against them, that same announcer's reaction when Furman hit the ball right at a guy, instead of over the fence for a mult-run homer in the ninth to steal a won game, was priceless.
He’s going to be even more excited when he sees Furman come back for the league championship series in two weeks
Bryce Eldridge is #13 on MLB Pipeline's Top-100 prospect list and isn't yet on the 40-man roster. His trade value may be higher right now than it ever will be. I've read before that the offseason is the best time to move a valuable player since all teams are looking to add, as opposed to the deadline, when it's just a handful. Also, 1B Devers is signed through 2033, and Heliot Ramos (FA in 2030) has the team's lowest Defensive Runs Above Average, suggesting he may be a DH sooner rather than later.
So, thought exercise: what kind of return would it take for you, Roger (GM for a day), to sign off on moving the large slugger before the Cactus League report date? Not names of particular targets necessarily, more curious about the overall framework of the deal that would move you enough to pull the trigger.
He’s only been in the org for two months, so my apologies if this is a question you just don’t have the data to answer the way you want: how fast is Trevor Cohen? He’s had all the “runs well/can handle center” scouting talk, but it’s been so long since the Giants have had players who can use their speed as a true in-game weapon. I’m hoping that’ll be more common as part of Posey’s “contact, speed, defense” focus, and I’ve been wondering if that’s expected to be a big part of Cohen’s game, or if his main carrying tool is just meant to be that *points at Jonah Hill* he gets on base.
Correct, best of five and let’s hope Eugene clenches it in three games and parading the trophy around Funko Field on September 12
My question is similar to those of Trevor York and Jonathan...
I’m pleasantly surprised to see how well Devers has handled his move to first base. I’ve also been encouraged by the reports on how quickly Eldridge himself has progressed there, and how much he’s benefited from J.T. Snow’s tutoring.
But it does seem to set up a logjam at first base.
What I’ve been hearing all along is that the Giants are determined not to have Eldridge’s career begin at DH. And Devers seems best suited to playing first base.
So I’m wondering about an option that I thought was out of the question…Eldridge playing outfield.
My understanding is that Eldridge has no outfield experience, but I see he’s played more than 200 innings in right field. The other thing I’ve heard is that he really looked bad in the outfield. Like, “avert your eyes” awful. But what if the Giants really focused on helping Eldridge learn and develop good outfielding skills, the same way they’ve developed his skills at first base?
They’d have the entire offseason to help him learn and develop as an outfielder. Then they could either move Ramos to DH, or they could have Ramos work on his outfielding skills too.
Possible? Crazy?
Apologies for the multiple questions, but they are in a sense variations on a theme. I was looking at pictures of the Felipe Alou Baseball Academy, and it is an impressive looking campus. To what extent do you think the organization’s signing of Josuar Gonzalez and presumably Luis Hernandez signal improvements in approach or presence versus the team being in the middle of a somewhat fortunate run? Have you seen the Posey regime pretty much hold the course on this, or have there been further changes? Relatedly, players tend to come to MLB from Asia at an older age than Latin America, so the approach in Latin America may not be well tailored for Asia, but is there anything the Giants can do (or are doing) there to improve the organization’s reputation among the top Asian players? Does none of this matter because it’s just about the size of the contract they offer?
September expansion. We seem to know exactly what we have in AAA outfield with one exception. Can you see a Hunter Bishop leapfrog over Luciano and Wisley to see whether he gets dropped or has a spring invite?
We can always find a 60 day spot to camp someone. Matos seems to be on a hot streak, pushing him past Encarnation. Bishop seems to have the athleticism to at least get a decent look before rule 5 takes him away.
I see his upside over a few off the “all hit, so so fielders” we seem to have plenty of.
High A playoffs schedule. Will Eugene be in Everett, WA for games 3,4 & 5, September 12, 13 & 14?
I was at the Eugene-Everett game Friday night and the announcer said Game 3 of the playoff series was on the 12th in Everett with games 4 and 5 the next two nights if necessary.
Peering into your crystal ball to next March, who will be fighting for a spot on the active roster next Opening Day? And you don’t have to exclude the big guy.
Great to see Ryan Murphy back piching at Richmond. Can see him getting picked up in the minor league Rule 5 draft like fellow 2020 draftees Swiney and Glowenke or can the Giants protect him without adding to 40-man?