Down on the Farm (2023)

[LHG]

Speaking of corner infielders that can hit, Armando Alvarez is one player that the Giants have in AAA who doesn't get much talk about him but whom I'd like to see the Giants give a shot. He is a bit old for prospect status (29 years old as of July) and has yet to play in the big leagues but he is raking in AAA. Unfortunately, he's lost some time to an injury this year, but since he's gotten healthy he has hit .307/.359/.581 in 51 games with the RiverCats. He signed as a minor league free agent this past offseason, after spending 7 years in the Yankees' farm system. A late bloomer with the bat, he didn't really start to come around offensively until last year. The Yankees didn't give him a chance despite strong numbers with Scranton last year but I hope the Giants give him a shot. He couldn't be worse than some of the veteran castoffs they've already tried.

 

[LHG]

We were supposed to get younger and more athletic. (sigh)

To the Giants' defense, they have brought up guys like Schmitt, Matos, Villar, Bailey, Meckler, etc. They are giving the rookies at least some chances. Unfortunately, it is generally not paying off for them, yet.

 

[Stokes1931]

To the Giants' defense, they have brought up guys like Schmitt, Matos, Villar, Bailey, Meckler, etc. They are giving the rookies at least some chances. Unfortunately, it is generally not paying off for them, yet.

Even with the young guys, there seems to be a general lack of speed.

Last night, the Phillies scored a run on two hits. Single, move to 2nd, single RBI

The Giants had three straight singles to the outfield, and no runs were scored. Why? Conservative 3b coach? Or general lack of speed? Or both.

This team usually takes four hits to score a run (or one with a homer). That is bound to lead to prolonged slumps. Speed doesn't slump.

 

[LHG]

Even with the young guys, there seems to be a general lack of speed.

Last night, the Phillies scored a run on two hits. Single, move to 2nd, single RBI

The Giants had three straight singles to the outfield, and no runs were scored. Why? Conservative 3b coach? Or general lack of speed? Or both.

This team usually takes four hits to score a run (or one with a homer). That is bound to lead to prolonged slumps. Speed doesn't slump.

There does not seem to be any kind of emphasis on speed or smart baserunning (or even aggressive baserunning) on this team. The Giants are last in the league in stolen bases (95 less than the league leader, the Reds). I don't know if its the players that they acquire or an emphasis on conservative baserunning but, either way, it reflects the organizational philosophy on this subject.
As cal and I have discussed before, FZ's "promises" don't seem too genuine. So when he said that was what would be the focus (younger and more athletic), I was skeptical. I would believe it when I saw it. They seem to be making some sort of youth push but the more athletic part, as you point out, is lacking.

 

[LHG]

Athletics Select Sean Newcomb

The A's selected the contract of veteran lefty Sean Newcomb one day after acquiring him in a trade with the Giants. Read more at MLB Trade Rumors

www.mlbtraderumors.com

 

[tzill]

Giants Sign Cody Stashak To Minors Deal

The Giants signed right-hander Cody Stashak to a minor league contract earlier this month, and Stashak made his debut appearance …

www.mlbtraderumors.com

 

[tzill]

Kyle Haines said Carson Whisenhunt is doing well in his rehab for an elbow sprain. He should be ready for a normal spring training. Very good news for a lefty starter who likely would have reached Triple-A this year if he had been healthy.

 

[calsnowskier]

Kyle Haines said Carson Whisenhunt is doing well in his rehab for an elbow sprain. He should be ready for a normal spring training. Very good news for a lefty starter who likely would have reached Triple-A this year if he had been healthy.

I expect him to start the year in the minors, but to be given a shot during the year for a full rotation shot.

 

[tzill]

Giants trade Sean Newcomb to the A'ss for Trenton Brooks.

 

[calsnowskier]

Giants trade Sean Newcomb to the A'ss for Trenton Brooks.

???

This happened a couple weeks ago…

 

[tzill]

???

This happened a couple weeks ago…

Did it??

My bad..

 

[tzill]

Giants say Bryce Johnson cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A, so he’ll stay with organization for now. He was DFA’d earlier in the week when Mitch Haniger returned.

 

[Stokes1931]

Giants say Bryce Johnson cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A, so he’ll stay with organization for now. He was DFA’d earlier in the week when Mitch Haniger returned.

Should have been the other way round...

 

[tzill]

Should have been the other way round...

speaking of, how much more DeJong do we have to endure??

 

[calsnowskier]

speaking of, how much more DeJong do we have to endure??

Amazing how he debuted vs how he has performed since. Not sure I can name a more drastic “flash in the pan” than him.

 

[LHG]

Giants say Bryce Johnson cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A, so he’ll stay with organization for now. He was DFA’d earlier in the week when Mitch Haniger returned.

He can reject the outright assignment since he was previously dfa'd but I doubt he will do so.

 

[LHG]

Amazing how he debuted vs how he has performed since. Not sure I can name a more drastic “flash in the pan” than him.

His debut may have been the worst thing for him. He may have increased the internal pressure to keep his performance at that level and sunk himself instead.

 

[Stokes1931]

Amazing how he debuted vs how he has performed since. Not sure I can name a more drastic “flash in the pan” than him.

Kind of like his whole career. His first season was terrific, his second season was less so, after that it was Wile E. Coyote right off the cliff on a defective ACME rocket.

 

[LHG]

Kind of like his whole career. His first season was terrific, his second season was less so, after that it was Wile E. Coyote right off the cliff on a defective ACME rocket.

View attachment 339296

The Giants are being dumb with him. Just let him go and bring up Fitzgerald. Seriously, how could he be any worse?

 

[calsnowskier]

The Giants are being dumb with him. Just let him go and bring up Fitzgerald. Seriously, how could he be any worse?

I have/had no problem with them signing DeJung. But it is beyond the point of folding that hand. He has been jettisoned by 2 teams already this year. Tossing him in the muck is not an admission of failure, it is just an admission that “yup, he done”.

I have never seen Fitz play, so I won’t attack or defend the org’s decision to not promote him. But on the surface, I agree, it couldn’t hurt. Unless they REALLY like him and they just want to start his clock with this year. But I can’t really defend that strategy with the evidence we have access to, sooooo…