Branden Belt

[calsnowskier]

3-4, HR, 2B, 3 R, 2 RBI, 1 BB

His spring BA is back over .300.

I want him to start in Fresno, and I think this is what will ultimately happen, but is this kid for real? This is the kind of splash Posey made in spring last year. Could we REALLY be blessed with Posey 2.0 at the plate?

I almost want to quote Keith Hendricks with his young Lincecum fan thing...

 

[tzill]

3-4, HR, 2B, 3 R, 2 RBI, 1 BB

His spring BA is back over .300.

I want him to start in Fresno, and I think this is what will ultimately happen, but is this kid for real? This is the kind of splash Posey made in spring last year. Could we REALLY be blessed with Posey 2.0 at the plate?

I almost want to quote Keith Hendricks with his young Lincecum fan thing...

Hendricks means well, but he's a bit of a goof. Belt is for real. He scalded all three balls today and drew a nice walk. As Krukow says: he's one of the best eight hitters in the org RIGHT NOW. By all rights he should be starting at 1b on Opening Day. However, as Kruk also says: this ain't 2010 and we're not desperate for hitting.

I'm also pretty excited about Brown and Neal. Neal could be ready to play RF next year if we don't re-sign Ross. Brown might be ready by the time Huffy comes off the books. I could see at 2013 lineup of:

CF Ford
2b Culberson
C Posey
1b Belt
3b Panda
RF Neal
LF Brown
SS Adrianza

It'd be pretty inexpensive and allow us to keep Tim/Chez/Cain/Bum/Wheeler in the rotation along with Weez/Romo in the bullpen.

 

[calsnowskier]

I don't see Ford as a starter on a contending team. He needs to do SOMETHING with the bat first. His speed is useless sitting on the bench.

I like Culberson, Neal and Adrianze, but My gut just does not project them to be dependable MLBers. I saw Neal in a couple ABs against Tex on Sunday, and he seemed to me like he was awkward up there. SSS, I know.

 

[calsnowskier]

Also, by 13, Jones and RafRod may be knocking on the door, as well as ToJo (which might push Posey to 2B)

 

[SFGRTB]

Also, by 13, Jones and RafRod may be knocking on the door, as well as ToJo (which might push Posey to 2B)

I could see Tommy being traded (along with others) for an OF, if this scenario plays out. Or Culberson and Crawford/Adrianza traded for an OF if the organization feels they want to extend Posey's career by putting him at second and keep Tommy.

But, with this, it would allow us to keep most if not all of our pitching staff, which would be sexy.

 

[calsnowskier]

I could see Tommy being traded (along with others) for an OF, if this scenario plays out. Or Culberson and Crawford/Adrianza traded for an OF if the organization feels they want to extend Posey's career by putting him at second and keep Tommy.

But, with this, it would allow us to keep most if not all of our pitching staff, which would be sexy.

I agree. I think Tommy's future lies in the AL.

 

[SFGRTB]

Hendricks means well, but he's a bit of a goof. Belt is for real. He scalded all three balls today and drew a nice walk. As Krukow says: he's one of the best eight hitters in the org RIGHT NOW. By all rights he should be starting at 1b on Opening Day. However, as Kruk also says: this ain't 2010 and we're not desperate for hitting.

I'm also pretty excited about Brown and Neal. Neal could be ready to play RF next year if we don't re-sign Ross. Brown might be ready by the time Huffy comes off the books. I could see at 2013 lineup of:

CF Ford
2b Culberson
C Posey
1b Belt
3b Panda
RF Neal
LF Brown
SS Adrianza

It'd be pretty inexpensive and allow us to keep Tim/Chez/Cain/Bum/Wheeler in the rotation along with Weez/Romo in the bullpen.

I see Brown on the fast track and could be pushing the roster as soon as next year. And Neal should be one of the first hitters (besides Belt) to be called upon if there are injuries. He is a lock for a Sept. callup and, as you said, will be pushing for a job next year.

Cal, I agree with you on Ford, he had 1 good year, and it was in the Cal League (big hitters league), he was old for his level and he was lucky with a high BABIP. The rest, not so much. He'd be a good reserve OF though.

I do like Neal though. I think he will be solid all around, none of his stats will jump off the page, but he will be tough to complain about if you get what I mean. I'm not sure about Culberson yet, I want to see hin in AA, if he hits there, then I will be much more excited.

 

[SFGRTB]

I agree. I think Tommy's future lies in the AL.

The better the hitting catcher, the worse defender.

 

[calsnowskier]

The better the hitting catcher, the worse defender.

see also...

Posey, Buster

Mauer, Joe

Bench, Johnny

Santiago, Benito

Fisk, Carlton

etc

etc

etc



:tongue1:

 

[SFAnthem]

Do we really have another position player prospect ready to make an impact on the Giants?

Who did the rain dance and ended the decade long drought?

A WS ring and a minor league system with talent .. I'm not used to such luxuries as a Giants..not sure what to do with myself.

 

[tzill]

I don't see Ford as a starter on a contending team. He needs to do SOMETHING with the bat first. His speed is useless sitting on the bench.

I like Culberson, Neal and Adrianze, but My gut just does not project them to be dependable MLBers. I saw Neal in a couple ABs against Tex on Sunday, and he seemed to me like he was awkward up there. SSS, I know.

Agreed; Ford is a long shot -- but a terrific defender. We may get a few years out of Torres anyway.

I think Neal and Adrianze are real good shots to not only make the bigs, but start. Culberson is a longer shot, but very well thought of.

I'm pretty happy with the farm system these days. I guess two CY, a ROY and a WS ring will do that....

 

[tzill]

Also, by 13, Jones and RafRod may be knocking on the door, as well as ToJo (which might push Posey to 2B)

That's an interesting thought. I guess we do have the Biggio template.

 

[tzill]

Do we really have another position player prospect ready to make an impact on the Giants?

Who did the rain dance and ended the decade long drought?

A WS ring and a minor league system with talent .. I'm not used to such luxuries as a Giants..not sure what to do with myself.

Yeah, it's a daily struggle. What I do: deep breaths and remember that "I'm not a Red Sox fan, I'm not a Red Sox fan."