[Mick]

Giants beat Rockies, 8-2. Spring record now 11-3, the second best winning % in the 68 year history of the Giants doing Cactus League spring training.

Everyone hit, even McCray, who's at .346. Hjelle and Birdsong were untouchable. Webb gave up two earned runs on an HR, but his ERA is 2.79.

But I'm not overly excited or breathlessly awaiting the start of the regular season.

Incidentally, 11-3 extrapolated over a full season would be a 127-35 record...

[Mick]

Giants beat Rockies, 8-2. Spring record now 11-3, the second best winning % in the 68 year history of the Giants doing Cactus League spring training.

Everyone hit, even McCray, who's at .346. Hjelle and Birdsong were untouchable. Webb gave up two earned runs on an HR, but his ERA is 2.79.

But I'm not overly excited or breathlessly awaiting the start of the regular season.

Incidentally, 11-3 extrapolated over a full season would be a 127-35 record...

[Giants]

Incidentally, 11-3 extrapolated over a full season would be a 127-35 record...

Would that be enough to win the division over LA?  

;)

[Giants]

Incidentally, 11-3 extrapolated over a full season would be a 127-35 record...

Would that be enough to win the division over LA?  

;)

[Giants]

A fun fact….

SF’s record between 1958 and 2024…

Spring training - a winning percentage of .517 (1817 games)
Regular season - a winning percentage of .517 (10595 games)

Source - Grant Brisbee, The Athletic

[Giants]

A fun fact….

SF’s record between 1958 and 2024…

Spring training - a winning percentage of .517 (1817 games)
Regular season - a winning percentage of .517 (10595 games)

Source - Grant Brisbee, The Athletic

[Mick]

One more fun fact: as noted, the Giants have the second best spring training record in their history. The teams that had the best and third best Spring Training record were 1965 (.806) and 1969 (.731). Both teams finished with the same record, 90-72, which would have been the fifth best record in the NL last year (or fourth best in the AL).

I think we'd all take 90-72, a ten game improvement and a playoff berth, wouldn't we?

I realize that spring training doesn't mean much, and a lot of stats and games won and lost are because of players who won't be with the team during the regular season. For example, the Giants have 11 errors in 17 games (including split squad). Of their likely starters, only Patrick Bailey has an error. The rest are by players who won't make the big league roster (Koss, Lamb, Arteaga, Szykowny, Villar and Luciano) or will be a backup (Casey Schmitt, who has two errors).

Here's all the pitchers with a 1.00 WHIP or better: Ray, Webb, Verlander, Miller, Birdsong, Whisenhunt, Doval, Walker, Roupp, Bivens, Winn, Trivino, Seymour and seven guys who won't make the roster. Walter Johnson's career WHIP was 1.061 and he pitched mainly with dead balls and never in Arizona. WJ's WHIP when the live ball was introduced was 1.268. Giants have 22 guys in camp with lower WHIPs. And unfortunately, Harrison and Hicks and Beck and Randy Rodriguez and Hjelle have higher WHIPs. Hope they're getting it out of their system now...

I'll predict 90 wins for 2025, and a playoff berth. I think we finish second to the Dodgers. Rockies are the Rockies, the Diamondbacks are 9th of 15 teams and the Padres are in dead last. Seems both safe and likely.

[Mick]

One more fun fact: as noted, the Giants have the second best spring training record in their history. The teams that had the best and third best Spring Training record were 1965 (.806) and 1969 (.731). Both teams finished with the same record, 90-72, which would have been the fifth best record in the NL last year (or fourth best in the AL).

I think we'd all take 90-72, a ten game improvement and a playoff berth, wouldn't we?

I realize that spring training doesn't mean much, and a lot of stats and games won and lost are because of players who won't be with the team during the regular season. For example, the Giants have 11 errors in 17 games (including split squad). Of their likely starters, only Patrick Bailey has an error. The rest are by players who won't make the big league roster (Koss, Lamb, Arteaga, Szykowny, Villar and Luciano) or will be a backup (Casey Schmitt, who has two errors).

Here's all the pitchers with a 1.00 WHIP or better: Ray, Webb, Verlander, Miller, Birdsong, Whisenhunt, Doval, Walker, Roupp, Bivens, Winn, Trivino, Seymour and seven guys who won't make the roster. Walter Johnson's career WHIP was 1.061 and he pitched mainly with dead balls and never in Arizona. WJ's WHIP when the live ball was introduced was 1.268. Giants have 22 guys in camp with lower WHIPs. And unfortunately, Harrison and Hicks and Beck and Randy Rodriguez and Hjelle have higher WHIPs. Hope they're getting it out of their system now...

I'll predict 90 wins for 2025, and a playoff berth. I think we finish second to the Dodgers. Rockies are the Rockies, the Diamondbacks are 9th of 15 teams and the Padres are in dead last. Seems both safe and likely.

[Giants]

We will open our official prediction opportunity a bit closer to Opening Day.  Currently, I’m somewhere between 80-85.

[Giants]

We will open our official prediction opportunity a bit closer to Opening Day.  Currently, I’m somewhere between 80-85.

[Mick]

Officially and unofficially, I'm going to stick with a 90-win prediction. For the past three years, the spring training record mirrored the regular season record, all very close to .500:

2022, 8-7, 81-81
2023, 14-15, 79-83
2024, 15-12, 80-82

After beating the A's yesterday, the Giants are 12-3, .800.

Separately, after 16 seasons of really successful spring trainings (.600 or higher), the Giants had just five losing seasons. Nine of the 16, they finished 88 or more wins. 

Also...enormous difference is the fielding. The Giants have 11 errors in 18 spring games (including ties and split squad). Only three of the 11 errors were committed by players likely to make the final roster. In 2024, they finished 27th in Rtot, 24th in 2023, 29th in 2022. And 5th in 2021, the 107 win season.

Five of the eight everyday players are gold-glove caliber (Bailey, Chapman, Adames, Yastrzemski, Lee), including three of the four up the middle. Flores has career positive Rtot at 1B, including a 7 in 2023 (pre-knee injury). Ramos has hugely positive Rtot in LF, +8 last year (-3 in CF). Wade is the one so-called weak link and he made 1 error at 1B in 87 starts there (admittedly with a league-leading 10 errors the year before). Their fielding is fun to watch. All their outfielders are fast, most of their infielders are sure-handed. 

BTW...Ramos batted leadoff yesterday. If you look at his career splits, he does best at leadoff by a significant margin. Wouldn't be surprised to see him there more permanently.

[Mick]

Officially and unofficially, I'm going to stick with a 90-win prediction. For the past three years, the spring training record mirrored the regular season record, all very close to .500:

2022, 8-7, 81-81
2023, 14-15, 79-83
2024, 15-12, 80-82

After beating the A's yesterday, the Giants are 12-3, .800.

Separately, after 16 seasons of really successful spring trainings (.600 or higher), the Giants had just five losing seasons. Nine of the 16, they finished 88 or more wins. 

Also...enormous difference is the fielding. The Giants have 11 errors in 18 spring games (including ties and split squad). Only three of the 11 errors were committed by players likely to make the final roster. In 2024, they finished 27th in Rtot, 24th in 2023, 29th in 2022. And 5th in 2021, the 107 win season.

Five of the eight everyday players are gold-glove caliber (Bailey, Chapman, Adames, Yastrzemski, Lee), including three of the four up the middle. Flores has career positive Rtot at 1B, including a 7 in 2023 (pre-knee injury). Ramos has hugely positive Rtot in LF, +8 last year (-3 in CF). Wade is the one so-called weak link and he made 1 error at 1B in 87 starts there (admittedly with a league-leading 10 errors the year before). Their fielding is fun to watch. All their outfielders are fast, most of their infielders are sure-handed. 

BTW...Ramos batted leadoff yesterday. If you look at his career splits, he does best at leadoff by a significant margin. Wouldn't be surprised to see him there more permanently.

[Giants]

Officially and unofficially, I'm going to stick with a 90-win prediction. For the past three years, the spring training record mirrored the regular season record, all very close to .500:

2022, 8-7, 81-81
2023, 14-15, 79-83
2024, 15-12, 80-82

After beating the A's yesterday, the Giants are 12-3, .800.

Separately, after 16 seasons of really successful spring trainings (.600 or higher), the Giants had just five losing seasons. Nine of the 16, they finished 88 or more wins. 

Also...enormous difference is the fielding. The Giants have 11 errors in 18 spring games (including ties and split squad). Only three of the 11 errors were committed by players likely to make the final roster. In 2024, they finished 27th in Rtot, 24th in 2023, 29th in 2022. And 5th in 2021, the 107 win season.

Five of the eight everyday players are gold-glove caliber (Bailey, Chapman, Adames, Yastrzemski, Lee), including three of the four up the middle. Flores has career positive Rtot at 1B, including a 7 in 2023 (pre-knee injury). Ramos has hugely positive Rtot in LF, +8 last year (-3 in CF). Wade is the one so-called weak link and he made 1 error at 1B in 87 starts there (admittedly with a league-leading 10 errors the year before). Their fielding is fun to watch. All their outfielders are fast, most of their infielders are sure-handed. 

BTW...Ramos batted leadoff yesterday. If you look at his career splits, he does best at leadoff by a significant margin. Wouldn't be surprised to see him there more permanently.

To start the season, I believe the plan is:

Ramos will lead off v. LHP
Wade v. RHP

[Giants]

Officially and unofficially, I'm going to stick with a 90-win prediction. For the past three years, the spring training record mirrored the regular season record, all very close to .500:

2022, 8-7, 81-81
2023, 14-15, 79-83
2024, 15-12, 80-82

After beating the A's yesterday, the Giants are 12-3, .800.

Separately, after 16 seasons of really successful spring trainings (.600 or higher), the Giants had just five losing seasons. Nine of the 16, they finished 88 or more wins. 

Also...enormous difference is the fielding. The Giants have 11 errors in 18 spring games (including ties and split squad). Only three of the 11 errors were committed by players likely to make the final roster. In 2024, they finished 27th in Rtot, 24th in 2023, 29th in 2022. And 5th in 2021, the 107 win season.

Five of the eight everyday players are gold-glove caliber (Bailey, Chapman, Adames, Yastrzemski, Lee), including three of the four up the middle. Flores has career positive Rtot at 1B, including a 7 in 2023 (pre-knee injury). Ramos has hugely positive Rtot in LF, +8 last year (-3 in CF). Wade is the one so-called weak link and he made 1 error at 1B in 87 starts there (admittedly with a league-leading 10 errors the year before). Their fielding is fun to watch. All their outfielders are fast, most of their infielders are sure-handed. 

BTW...Ramos batted leadoff yesterday. If you look at his career splits, he does best at leadoff by a significant margin. Wouldn't be surprised to see him there more permanently.

To start the season, I believe the plan is:

Ramos will lead off v. LHP
Wade v. RHP

[lex24]

82-80.

Too thin.  Injuries happen. The NL West is brutal .  And the NL in general has gotten much tougher.  

I do think, despite the record, it will be an interesting season and they are on the right path.

---

Officially and unofficially, I'm going to stick with a 90-win prediction. For the past three years, the spring training record mirrored the regular season record, all very close to .500:

2022, 8-7, 81-81
2023, 14-15, 79-83
2024, 15-12, 80-82

After beating the A's yesterday, the Giants are 12-3, .800.

Separately, after 16 seasons of really successful spring trainings (.600 or higher), the Giants had just five losing seasons. Nine of the 16, they finished 88 or more wins. 

Also...enormous difference is the fielding. The Giants have 11 errors in 18 spring games (including ties and split squad). Only three of the 11 errors were committed by players likely to make the final roster. In 2024, they finished 27th in Rtot, 24th in 2023, 29th in 2022. And 5th in 2021, the 107 win season.

Five of the eight everyday players are gold-glove caliber (Bailey, Chapman, Adames, Yastrzemski, Lee), including three of the four up the middle. Flores has career positive Rtot at 1B, including a 7 in 2023 (pre-knee injury). Ramos has hugely positive Rtot in LF, +8 last year (-3 in CF). Wade is the one so-called weak link and he made 1 error at 1B in 87 starts there (admittedly with a league-leading 10 errors the year before). Their fielding is fun to watch. All their outfielders are fast, most of their infielders are sure-handed. 

BTW...Ramos batted leadoff yesterday. If you look at his career splits, he does best at leadoff by a significant margin. Wouldn't be surprised to see him there more permanently.

To start the season, I believe the plan is:

Ramos will lead off v. LHP
Wade v. RHP

Definitely Wade vs right handers.  Melvin is experimenting with Ramos leading off vs lefties.  Not sure that will stick.

[lex24]

82-80.

Too thin.  Injuries happen. The NL West is brutal .  And the NL in general has gotten much tougher.  

I do think, despite the record, it will be an interesting season and they are on the right path.

---

Officially and unofficially, I'm going to stick with a 90-win prediction. For the past three years, the spring training record mirrored the regular season record, all very close to .500:

2022, 8-7, 81-81
2023, 14-15, 79-83
2024, 15-12, 80-82

After beating the A's yesterday, the Giants are 12-3, .800.

Separately, after 16 seasons of really successful spring trainings (.600 or higher), the Giants had just five losing seasons. Nine of the 16, they finished 88 or more wins. 

Also...enormous difference is the fielding. The Giants have 11 errors in 18 spring games (including ties and split squad). Only three of the 11 errors were committed by players likely to make the final roster. In 2024, they finished 27th in Rtot, 24th in 2023, 29th in 2022. And 5th in 2021, the 107 win season.

Five of the eight everyday players are gold-glove caliber (Bailey, Chapman, Adames, Yastrzemski, Lee), including three of the four up the middle. Flores has career positive Rtot at 1B, including a 7 in 2023 (pre-knee injury). Ramos has hugely positive Rtot in LF, +8 last year (-3 in CF). Wade is the one so-called weak link and he made 1 error at 1B in 87 starts there (admittedly with a league-leading 10 errors the year before). Their fielding is fun to watch. All their outfielders are fast, most of their infielders are sure-handed. 

BTW...Ramos batted leadoff yesterday. If you look at his career splits, he does best at leadoff by a significant margin. Wouldn't be surprised to see him there more permanently.

To start the season, I believe the plan is:

Ramos will lead off v. LHP
Wade v. RHP

Definitely Wade vs right handers.  Melvin is experimenting with Ramos leading off vs lefties.  Not sure that will stick.

[Mick]

82-80.

Too thin.  Injuries happen. The NL West is brutal .  And the NL in general has gotten much tougher.  

I do think, despite the record, it will be an interesting season and they are on the right path.

---

Officially and unofficially, I'm going to stick with a 90-win prediction. For the past three years, the spring training record mirrored the regular season record, all very close to .500:

2022, 8-7, 81-81
2023, 14-15, 79-83
2024, 15-12, 80-82

After beating the A's yesterday, the Giants are 12-3, .800.

Separately, after 16 seasons of really successful spring trainings (.600 or higher), the Giants had just five losing seasons. Nine of the 16, they finished 88 or more wins. 

Also...enormous difference is the fielding. The Giants have 11 errors in 18 spring games (including ties and split squad). Only three of the 11 errors were committed by players likely to make the final roster. In 2024, they finished 27th in Rtot, 24th in 2023, 29th in 2022. And 5th in 2021, the 107 win season.

Five of the eight everyday players are gold-glove caliber (Bailey, Chapman, Adames, Yastrzemski, Lee), including three of the four up the middle. Flores has career positive Rtot at 1B, including a 7 in 2023 (pre-knee injury). Ramos has hugely positive Rtot in LF, +8 last year (-3 in CF). Wade is the one so-called weak link and he made 1 error at 1B in 87 starts there (admittedly with a league-leading 10 errors the year before). Their fielding is fun to watch. All their outfielders are fast, most of their infielders are sure-handed. 

BTW...Ramos batted leadoff yesterday. If you look at his career splits, he does best at leadoff by a significant margin. Wouldn't be surprised to see him there more permanently.

To start the season, I believe the plan is:

Ramos will lead off v. LHP
Wade v. RHP

Definitely Wade vs right handers.  Melvin is experimenting with Ramos leading off vs lefties.  Not sure that will stick.

Last season's splits for Heliot Ramos:

vs. RHP: .240/.286/.387/.673
vs. LHP: .370/.439/.750/1.189

[Mick]

82-80.

Too thin.  Injuries happen. The NL West is brutal .  And the NL in general has gotten much tougher.  

I do think, despite the record, it will be an interesting season and they are on the right path.

---

Officially and unofficially, I'm going to stick with a 90-win prediction. For the past three years, the spring training record mirrored the regular season record, all very close to .500:

2022, 8-7, 81-81
2023, 14-15, 79-83
2024, 15-12, 80-82

After beating the A's yesterday, the Giants are 12-3, .800.

Separately, after 16 seasons of really successful spring trainings (.600 or higher), the Giants had just five losing seasons. Nine of the 16, they finished 88 or more wins. 

Also...enormous difference is the fielding. The Giants have 11 errors in 18 spring games (including ties and split squad). Only three of the 11 errors were committed by players likely to make the final roster. In 2024, they finished 27th in Rtot, 24th in 2023, 29th in 2022. And 5th in 2021, the 107 win season.

Five of the eight everyday players are gold-glove caliber (Bailey, Chapman, Adames, Yastrzemski, Lee), including three of the four up the middle. Flores has career positive Rtot at 1B, including a 7 in 2023 (pre-knee injury). Ramos has hugely positive Rtot in LF, +8 last year (-3 in CF). Wade is the one so-called weak link and he made 1 error at 1B in 87 starts there (admittedly with a league-leading 10 errors the year before). Their fielding is fun to watch. All their outfielders are fast, most of their infielders are sure-handed. 

BTW...Ramos batted leadoff yesterday. If you look at his career splits, he does best at leadoff by a significant margin. Wouldn't be surprised to see him there more permanently.

To start the season, I believe the plan is:

Ramos will lead off v. LHP
Wade v. RHP

Definitely Wade vs right handers.  Melvin is experimenting with Ramos leading off vs lefties.  Not sure that will stick.

Last season's splits for Heliot Ramos:

vs. RHP: .240/.286/.387/.673
vs. LHP: .370/.439/.750/1.189

[Giants]

1741807538[/url]']

1741802672[/url]']
82-80.

Too thin.  Injuries happen. The NL West is brutal .  And the NL in general has gotten much tougher.  

I do think, despite the record, it will be an interesting season and they are on the right path.

---

1741795809[/url]']

1741784368[/url]']
Officially and unofficially, I'm going to stick with a 90-win prediction. For the past three years, the spring training record mirrored the regular season record, all very close to .500:

2022, 8-7, 81-81
2023, 14-15, 79-83
2024, 15-12, 80-82

After beating the A's yesterday, the Giants are 12-3, .800.

Separately, after 16 seasons of really successful spring trainings (.600 or higher), the Giants had just five losing seasons. Nine of the 16, they finished 88 or more wins. 

Also...enormous difference is the fielding. The Giants have 11 errors in 18 spring games (including ties and split squad). Only three of the 11 errors were committed by players likely to make the final roster. In 2024, they finished 27th in Rtot, 24th in 2023, 29th in 2022. And 5th in 2021, the 107 win season.

Five of the eight everyday players are gold-glove caliber (Bailey, Chapman, Adames, Yastrzemski, Lee), including three of the four up the middle. Flores has career positive Rtot at 1B, including a 7 in 2023 (pre-knee injury). Ramos has hugely positive Rtot in LF, +8 last year (-3 in CF). Wade is the one so-called weak link and he made 1 error at 1B in 87 starts there (admittedly with a league-leading 10 errors the year before). Their fielding is fun to watch. All their outfielders are fast, most of their infielders are sure-handed. 

BTW...Ramos batted leadoff yesterday. If you look at his career splits, he does best at leadoff by a significant margin. Wouldn't be surprised to see him there more permanently.

To start the season, I believe the plan is:

Ramos will lead off v. LHP
Wade v. RHP

Definitely Wade vs right handers.  Melvin is experimenting with Ramos leading off vs lefties.  Not sure that will stick.

Last season's splits for Heliot Ramos:

vs. RHP: .240/.286/.387/.673
vs. LHP: .370/.439/.750/1.189

I believe Ramos’ OPS v. LHP was the best in MLB (players with qualifying PA’s only).

[Giants]

1741807538[/url]']

1741802672[/url]']
82-80.

Too thin.  Injuries happen. The NL West is brutal .  And the NL in general has gotten much tougher.  

I do think, despite the record, it will be an interesting season and they are on the right path.

---

1741795809[/url]']

1741784368[/url]']
Officially and unofficially, I'm going to stick with a 90-win prediction. For the past three years, the spring training record mirrored the regular season record, all very close to .500:

2022, 8-7, 81-81
2023, 14-15, 79-83
2024, 15-12, 80-82

After beating the A's yesterday, the Giants are 12-3, .800.

Separately, after 16 seasons of really successful spring trainings (.600 or higher), the Giants had just five losing seasons. Nine of the 16, they finished 88 or more wins. 

Also...enormous difference is the fielding. The Giants have 11 errors in 18 spring games (including ties and split squad). Only three of the 11 errors were committed by players likely to make the final roster. In 2024, they finished 27th in Rtot, 24th in 2023, 29th in 2022. And 5th in 2021, the 107 win season.

Five of the eight everyday players are gold-glove caliber (Bailey, Chapman, Adames, Yastrzemski, Lee), including three of the four up the middle. Flores has career positive Rtot at 1B, including a 7 in 2023 (pre-knee injury). Ramos has hugely positive Rtot in LF, +8 last year (-3 in CF). Wade is the one so-called weak link and he made 1 error at 1B in 87 starts there (admittedly with a league-leading 10 errors the year before). Their fielding is fun to watch. All their outfielders are fast, most of their infielders are sure-handed. 

BTW...Ramos batted leadoff yesterday. If you look at his career splits, he does best at leadoff by a significant margin. Wouldn't be surprised to see him there more permanently.

To start the season, I believe the plan is:

Ramos will lead off v. LHP
Wade v. RHP

Definitely Wade vs right handers.  Melvin is experimenting with Ramos leading off vs lefties.  Not sure that will stick.

Last season's splits for Heliot Ramos:

vs. RHP: .240/.286/.387/.673
vs. LHP: .370/.439/.750/1.189

I believe Ramos’ OPS v. LHP was the best in MLB (players with qualifying PA’s only).

[lex24]

1741811584[/url]']

1741807538[/url]']

1741802672[/url]']
82-80.

Too thin.  Injuries happen. The NL West is brutal .  And the NL in general has gotten much tougher.  

I do think, despite the record, it will be an interesting season and they are on the right path.

---

1741795809[/url]']

1741784368[/url]']
Officially and unofficially, I'm going to stick with a 90-win prediction. For the past three years, the spring training record mirrored the regular season record, all very close to .500:

2022, 8-7, 81-81
2023, 14-15, 79-83
2024, 15-12, 80-82

After beating the A's yesterday, the Giants are 12-3, .800.

Separately, after 16 seasons of really successful spring trainings (.600 or higher), the Giants had just five losing seasons. Nine of the 16, they finished 88 or more wins. 

Also...enormous difference is the fielding. The Giants have 11 errors in 18 spring games (including ties and split squad). Only three of the 11 errors were committed by players likely to make the final roster. In 2024, they finished 27th in Rtot, 24th in 2023, 29th in 2022. And 5th in 2021, the 107 win season.

Five of the eight everyday players are gold-glove caliber (Bailey, Chapman, Adames, Yastrzemski, Lee), including three of the four up the middle. Flores has career positive Rtot at 1B, including a 7 in 2023 (pre-knee injury). Ramos has hugely positive Rtot in LF, +8 last year (-3 in CF). Wade is the one so-called weak link and he made 1 error at 1B in 87 starts there (admittedly with a league-leading 10 errors the year before). Their fielding is fun to watch. All their outfielders are fast, most of their infielders are sure-handed. 

BTW...Ramos batted leadoff yesterday. If you look at his career splits, he does best at leadoff by a significant margin. Wouldn't be surprised to see him there more permanently.

To start the season, I believe the plan is:

Ramos will lead off v. LHP
Wade v. RHP

Definitely Wade vs right handers.  Melvin is experimenting with Ramos leading off vs lefties.  Not sure that will stick.

Last season's splits for Heliot Ramos:

vs. RHP: .240/.286/.387/.673
vs. LHP: .370/.439/.750/1.189

I believe Ramos’ OPS v. LHP was the best in MLB (players with qualifying PA’s only).

It was one of the best in baseball history.  Odds of him repeating that are slim.  Hopefully, he makes up the loss by improving vs right handers..

---

Here one toy you.  Since coming West in 1958 through 2024:

Giants played  1,817 exhibition games.  Winning percentage .517

They’ve played 10,595 regular season games.  Winning percentage .517.

[lex24]

1741811584[/url]']

1741807538[/url]']

1741802672[/url]']
82-80.

Too thin.  Injuries happen. The NL West is brutal .  And the NL in general has gotten much tougher.  

I do think, despite the record, it will be an interesting season and they are on the right path.

---

1741795809[/url]']

1741784368[/url]']
Officially and unofficially, I'm going to stick with a 90-win prediction. For the past three years, the spring training record mirrored the regular season record, all very close to .500:

2022, 8-7, 81-81
2023, 14-15, 79-83
2024, 15-12, 80-82

After beating the A's yesterday, the Giants are 12-3, .800.

Separately, after 16 seasons of really successful spring trainings (.600 or higher), the Giants had just five losing seasons. Nine of the 16, they finished 88 or more wins. 

Also...enormous difference is the fielding. The Giants have 11 errors in 18 spring games (including ties and split squad). Only three of the 11 errors were committed by players likely to make the final roster. In 2024, they finished 27th in Rtot, 24th in 2023, 29th in 2022. And 5th in 2021, the 107 win season.

Five of the eight everyday players are gold-glove caliber (Bailey, Chapman, Adames, Yastrzemski, Lee), including three of the four up the middle. Flores has career positive Rtot at 1B, including a 7 in 2023 (pre-knee injury). Ramos has hugely positive Rtot in LF, +8 last year (-3 in CF). Wade is the one so-called weak link and he made 1 error at 1B in 87 starts there (admittedly with a league-leading 10 errors the year before). Their fielding is fun to watch. All their outfielders are fast, most of their infielders are sure-handed. 

BTW...Ramos batted leadoff yesterday. If you look at his career splits, he does best at leadoff by a significant margin. Wouldn't be surprised to see him there more permanently.

To start the season, I believe the plan is:

Ramos will lead off v. LHP
Wade v. RHP

Definitely Wade vs right handers.  Melvin is experimenting with Ramos leading off vs lefties.  Not sure that will stick.

Last season's splits for Heliot Ramos:

vs. RHP: .240/.286/.387/.673
vs. LHP: .370/.439/.750/1.189

I believe Ramos’ OPS v. LHP was the best in MLB (players with qualifying PA’s only).

It was one of the best in baseball history.  Odds of him repeating that are slim.  Hopefully, he makes up the loss by improving vs right handers..

---

Here one toy you.  Since coming West in 1958 through 2024:

Giants played  1,817 exhibition games.  Winning percentage .517

They’ve played 10,595 regular season games.  Winning percentage .517.

[old spanish trail]

And, whooaaah, they won today 11-2 over the Cubs in 6 innings.

[old spanish trail]

And, whooaaah, they won today 11-2 over the Cubs in 6 innings.

[Mick]

And, whooaaah, they won today 11-2 over the Guardians in 6 innings.

16 hits...Fitz went 3/4 with a triple, Matos & Villar had two each. Wisely had two errors. Huff had an HR. Uncharacteristically, Schmitt, Matos and Wisely all stole a base. Stanford's Tristan Beck opened the game, pitched 2 2/3, gave up the only earned run, but had three K's and no walks... and got the win.

Giants are now 13-3, .813 winning percentage. They have a +51 run differential, more than twice as much as the AL's best Blue Jays who are +24.

And just because I had nothing to do, here are the three best spring training records ever, with their regular season records:

1990 San Diego Padres, 12-2, .857, they finished 5th with a 75-87 record.
1997 Florida Marlins, 26-5, .839, finished 92-70, beat the GIants in the NLDS, the Braves in the NLCS and won the World Series.
2016 Washington Nationals, 19-4, .826, finished 95-67, lost to the Dodgers in the NLDS, 3-2.

[Mick]

And, whooaaah, they won today 11-2 over the Guardians in 6 innings.

16 hits...Fitz went 3/4 with a triple, Matos & Villar had two each. Wisely had two errors. Huff had an HR. Uncharacteristically, Schmitt, Matos and Wisely all stole a base. Stanford's Tristan Beck opened the game, pitched 2 2/3, gave up the only earned run, but had three K's and no walks... and got the win.

Giants are now 13-3, .813 winning percentage. They have a +51 run differential, more than twice as much as the AL's best Blue Jays who are +24.

And just because I had nothing to do, here are the three best spring training records ever, with their regular season records:

1990 San Diego Padres, 12-2, .857, they finished 5th with a 75-87 record.
1997 Florida Marlins, 26-5, .839, finished 92-70, beat the GIants in the NLDS, the Braves in the NLCS and won the World Series.
2016 Washington Nationals, 19-4, .826, finished 95-67, lost to the Dodgers in the NLDS, 3-2.

[Giants]

1741828269[/url]']

1741811584[/url]']

1741807538[/url]']

1741802672[/url]']
82-80.

Too thin.  Injuries happen. The NL West is brutal .  And the NL in general has gotten much tougher.  

I do think, despite the record, it will be an interesting season and they are on the right path.

---

1741795809[/url]']

To start the season, I believe the plan is:

Ramos will lead off v. LHP
Wade v. RHP

Definitely Wade vs right handers.  Melvin is experimenting with Ramos leading off vs lefties.  Not sure that will stick.

Last season's splits for Heliot Ramos:

vs. RHP: .240/.286/.387/.673
vs. LHP: .370/.439/.750/1.189

I believe Ramos’ OPS v. LHP was the best in MLB (players with qualifying PA’s only).

It was one of the best in baseball history.  Odds of him repeating that are slim.  Hopefully, he makes up the loss by improving vs right handers..

---

Here one toy you.  Since coming West in 1958 through 2024:

Giants played  1,817 exhibition games.  Winning percentage .517

They’ve played 10,595 regular season games.  Winning percentage .517.

Yep.  I posted that on this thread a couple days ago….

[Giants]

1741828269[/url]']

1741811584[/url]']

1741807538[/url]']

1741802672[/url]']
82-80.

Too thin.  Injuries happen. The NL West is brutal .  And the NL in general has gotten much tougher.  

I do think, despite the record, it will be an interesting season and they are on the right path.

---

1741795809[/url]']

To start the season, I believe the plan is:

Ramos will lead off v. LHP
Wade v. RHP

Definitely Wade vs right handers.  Melvin is experimenting with Ramos leading off vs lefties.  Not sure that will stick.

Last season's splits for Heliot Ramos:

vs. RHP: .240/.286/.387/.673
vs. LHP: .370/.439/.750/1.189

I believe Ramos’ OPS v. LHP was the best in MLB (players with qualifying PA’s only).

It was one of the best in baseball history.  Odds of him repeating that are slim.  Hopefully, he makes up the loss by improving vs right handers..

---

Here one toy you.  Since coming West in 1958 through 2024:

Giants played  1,817 exhibition games.  Winning percentage .517

They’ve played 10,595 regular season games.  Winning percentage .517.

Yep.  I posted that on this thread a couple days ago….

[Mick]

Five of the eight everyday players are gold-glove caliber (Bailey, Chapman, Adames, Yastrzemski, Lee), including three of the four up the middle. Flores has career positive Rtot at 1B, including a 7 in 2023 (pre-knee injury). Ramos has hugely positive Rtot in LF, +8 last year (-3 in CF). Wade is the one so-called weak link and he made 1 error at 1B in 87 starts there (admittedly with a league-leading 10 errors the year before). Their fielding is fun to watch. All their outfielders are fast, most of their infielders are sure-handed. 

mlb.com surveryed over 100 major leaguers and asked "who's the best fielder in the major leagues?"  The top three were Andres Gimenez, Francisco Lindor and Bobby Witt Jr. 

#4 was Matt Chapman. #5 was Patrick Bailey.

Pair of San Francisco Giants Gold Glovers Voted as Best Defensive Players in MLB

Bailey is 98th percentile in caught stealing above average, 100th percentile in framing, 97th in pop time. Chapman won his fifth Gold Glove last year.

[Mick]

Five of the eight everyday players are gold-glove caliber (Bailey, Chapman, Adames, Yastrzemski, Lee), including three of the four up the middle. Flores has career positive Rtot at 1B, including a 7 in 2023 (pre-knee injury). Ramos has hugely positive Rtot in LF, +8 last year (-3 in CF). Wade is the one so-called weak link and he made 1 error at 1B in 87 starts there (admittedly with a league-leading 10 errors the year before). Their fielding is fun to watch. All their outfielders are fast, most of their infielders are sure-handed. 

mlb.com surveryed over 100 major leaguers and asked "who's the best fielder in the major leagues?"  The top three were Andres Gimenez, Francisco Lindor and Bobby Witt Jr. 

#4 was Matt Chapman. #5 was Patrick Bailey.

Pair of San Francisco Giants Gold Glovers Voted as Best Defensive Players in MLB

Bailey is 98th percentile in caught stealing above average, 100th percentile in framing, 97th in pop time. Chapman won his fifth Gold Glove last year.

[Mick]

The offense is looking really good, from pretty much any angle:

Strong Spring From San Francisco Giants Offense Could Be Good Sign for This Season

From the article: "San Francisco is third in runs scored with 34, fourth in home runs with 35, second in batting average at .282, seventh in on-base percentage at .360, second in slugging at .490 and third in OPS at .850." And has the best record in spring training and the largest scoring differential.

And just for fun, some stats on former Giant misses...

- Aaron Judge, 2 for 16 this spring. $40 mms.
- Giancarlo Stanton, 0.0, no grades at all. Hurt all spring. Soreness in both elbows, will start season on injured list. $32 mms.
- Carlos Correa, 3 for 26, 10 strikeouts, .388 OPS, $33.333 mms.
- Bryce Harper, 11 for 27, no HRs or 3Bs, 7 strikeouts, 1 walk. $27.5 mms.
- Kris Bryant, 3 for 22, .614 OPS, $28 mms., on injured list.
- Shohei Ohtani, hitting .333, 7th on team in OPS, still can't hit Stanford's Erik Miller (5 ABs, 5K's, if memory serves) $70 mms. (most deferred)

and it wouldn't be complete without...

- Joey Bart, 9 for 24, 1.073 OPS, $712k

[Mick]

The offense is looking really good, from pretty much any angle:

Strong Spring From San Francisco Giants Offense Could Be Good Sign for This Season

From the article: "San Francisco is third in runs scored with 34, fourth in home runs with 35, second in batting average at .282, seventh in on-base percentage at .360, second in slugging at .490 and third in OPS at .850." And has the best record in spring training and the largest scoring differential.

And just for fun, some stats on former Giant misses...

- Aaron Judge, 2 for 16 this spring. $40 mms.
- Giancarlo Stanton, 0.0, no grades at all. Hurt all spring. Soreness in both elbows, will start season on injured list. $32 mms.
- Carlos Correa, 3 for 26, 10 strikeouts, .388 OPS, $33.333 mms.
- Bryce Harper, 11 for 27, no HRs or 3Bs, 7 strikeouts, 1 walk. $27.5 mms.
- Kris Bryant, 3 for 22, .614 OPS, $28 mms., on injured list.
- Shohei Ohtani, hitting .333, 7th on team in OPS, still can't hit Stanford's Erik Miller (5 ABs, 5K's, if memory serves) $70 mms. (most deferred)

and it wouldn't be complete without...

- Joey Bart, 9 for 24, 1.073 OPS, $712k

[lex24]

The offense is looking really good, from pretty much any angle:

Strong Spring From San Francisco Giants Offense Could Be Good Sign for This Season

From the article: "San Francisco is third in runs scored with 34, fourth in home runs with 35, second in batting average at .282, seventh in on-base percentage at .360, second in slugging at .490 and third in OPS at .850." And has the best record in spring training and the largest scoring differential.

And just for fun, some stats on former Giant misses...

- Aaron Judge, 2 for 16 this spring. $40 mms.
- Giancarlo Stanton, 0.0, no grades at all. Hurt all spring. Soreness in both elbows, will start season on injured list. $32 mms.
- Carlos Correa, 3 for 26, 10 strikeouts, .388 OPS, $33.333 mms.
- Bryce Harper, 11 for 27, no HRs or 3Bs, 7 strikeouts, 1 walk. $27.5 mms.
- Kris Bryant, 3 for 22, .614 OPS, $28 mms., on injured list.
- Shohei Ohtani, hitting .333, 7th on team in OPS, still can't hit Stanford's Erik Miller (5 ABs, 5K's, if memory serves) $70 mms. (most deferred)

and it wouldn't be complete without...

- Joey Bart, 9 for 24, 1.073 OPS, $712k

Can’t wait for opening day.  Interesting season ahead.

[lex24]

The offense is looking really good, from pretty much any angle:

Strong Spring From San Francisco Giants Offense Could Be Good Sign for This Season

From the article: "San Francisco is third in runs scored with 34, fourth in home runs with 35, second in batting average at .282, seventh in on-base percentage at .360, second in slugging at .490 and third in OPS at .850." And has the best record in spring training and the largest scoring differential.

And just for fun, some stats on former Giant misses...

- Aaron Judge, 2 for 16 this spring. $40 mms.
- Giancarlo Stanton, 0.0, no grades at all. Hurt all spring. Soreness in both elbows, will start season on injured list. $32 mms.
- Carlos Correa, 3 for 26, 10 strikeouts, .388 OPS, $33.333 mms.
- Bryce Harper, 11 for 27, no HRs or 3Bs, 7 strikeouts, 1 walk. $27.5 mms.
- Kris Bryant, 3 for 22, .614 OPS, $28 mms., on injured list.
- Shohei Ohtani, hitting .333, 7th on team in OPS, still can't hit Stanford's Erik Miller (5 ABs, 5K's, if memory serves) $70 mms. (most deferred)

and it wouldn't be complete without...

- Joey Bart, 9 for 24, 1.073 OPS, $712k

Can’t wait for opening day.  Interesting season ahead.

[Giants]

The offense is looking really good, from pretty much any angle:

Strong Spring From San Francisco Giants Offense Could Be Good Sign for This Season

From the article: "San Francisco is third in runs scored with 34, fourth in home runs with 35, second in batting average at .282, seventh in on-base percentage at .360, second in slugging at .490 and third in OPS at .850." And has the best record in spring training and the largest scoring differential.

And just for fun, some stats on former Giant misses...

- Aaron Judge, 2 for 16 this spring. $40 mms.
- Giancarlo Stanton, 0.0, no grades at all. Hurt all spring. Soreness in both elbows, will start season on injured list. $32 mms.
- Carlos Correa, 3 for 26, 10 strikeouts, .388 OPS, $33.333 mms.
- Bryce Harper, 11 for 27, no HRs or 3Bs, 7 strikeouts, 1 walk. $27.5 mms.
- Kris Bryant, 3 for 22, .614 OPS, $28 mms., on injured list.
- Shohei Ohtani, hitting .333, 7th on team in OPS, still can't hit Stanford's Erik Miller (5 ABs, 5K's, if memory serves) $70 mms. (most deferred)

and it wouldn't be complete without...

- Joey Bart, 9 for 24, 1.073 OPS, $712k

Can’t wait for opening day.  Interesting season ahead.

I agree.  The #1 spring training surprise for me has been Encarnacion.  He might be a real threat as a DH.  Also, I think Harrison may open the season in Sacramento.  Both Birdsong and Roupp have pitched effectively thus far.

[Giants]

The offense is looking really good, from pretty much any angle:

Strong Spring From San Francisco Giants Offense Could Be Good Sign for This Season

From the article: "San Francisco is third in runs scored with 34, fourth in home runs with 35, second in batting average at .282, seventh in on-base percentage at .360, second in slugging at .490 and third in OPS at .850." And has the best record in spring training and the largest scoring differential.

And just for fun, some stats on former Giant misses...

- Aaron Judge, 2 for 16 this spring. $40 mms.
- Giancarlo Stanton, 0.0, no grades at all. Hurt all spring. Soreness in both elbows, will start season on injured list. $32 mms.
- Carlos Correa, 3 for 26, 10 strikeouts, .388 OPS, $33.333 mms.
- Bryce Harper, 11 for 27, no HRs or 3Bs, 7 strikeouts, 1 walk. $27.5 mms.
- Kris Bryant, 3 for 22, .614 OPS, $28 mms., on injured list.
- Shohei Ohtani, hitting .333, 7th on team in OPS, still can't hit Stanford's Erik Miller (5 ABs, 5K's, if memory serves) $70 mms. (most deferred)

and it wouldn't be complete without...

- Joey Bart, 9 for 24, 1.073 OPS, $712k

Can’t wait for opening day.  Interesting season ahead.

I agree.  The #1 spring training surprise for me has been Encarnacion.  He might be a real threat as a DH.  Also, I think Harrison may open the season in Sacramento.  Both Birdsong and Roupp have pitched effectively thus far.

[Leftcoast]

Thanks Lex, "Giants", and especially Mick for the excellent discussion of the SF Giants in the 2025 preseason/Cactus league.  I've mostly been a lurker on this thread but it's been an excellent way to keep in contact with the club and how the "kids" on the Giants squad are doing.  

Great stuff ... and thank you.

[Leftcoast]

Thanks Lex, "Giants", and especially Mick for the excellent discussion of the SF Giants in the 2025 preseason/Cactus league.  I've mostly been a lurker on this thread but it's been an excellent way to keep in contact with the club and how the "kids" on the Giants squad are doing.  

Great stuff ... and thank you.

[lex24]

Thanks Lex, "Giants", and especially Mick for the excellent discussion of the SF Giants in the 2025 preseason/Cactus league.  I've mostly been a lurker on this thread but it's been an excellent way to keep in contact with the club and how the "kids" on the Giants squad are doing.  

Great stuff ... and thank you.

Jung Ho Lee getting an MRI on his back. Originally thought to be  minor middle back pain.  But not improving.  He is one of the players they least can afford to lose.  Not much OF depth.  Particularly CF.

[lex24]

Thanks Lex, "Giants", and especially Mick for the excellent discussion of the SF Giants in the 2025 preseason/Cactus league.  I've mostly been a lurker on this thread but it's been an excellent way to keep in contact with the club and how the "kids" on the Giants squad are doing.  

Great stuff ... and thank you.

Jung Ho Lee getting an MRI on his back. Originally thought to be  minor middle back pain.  But not improving.  He is one of the players they least can afford to lose.  Not much OF depth.  Particularly CF.