[Mick]

Panik hits righties and lefties about the same for average, and his OBP is virtually identical.  But he strikes out a lot less against righties and his power numbers are significantly higher against righties.

With Belt, it's no contest.  If Belt had to hit lefties for a living he'd be out of the business.  If he could only hit righties, he might be out of the game.  And he is even better against right handed starters than right handed relievers.  His OBP is .375 vs. .316 (against lefties) and he strikes out much less against righties.  his OPS is even more pronounced, .879 against righties, .713 against lefties.  Although last year, his best position in the batting order was clearly fifth.

Sigh. Where to start on this one. You’re absolutely right that Panik is an ideal #2 guy. This lineup had better rediscover some power. because it’s gonna take 3 hits to score a run otherwise. I put the over-under of total SB this year by this parade of elephants to be around 10, and most of those will be from whoever plays CF. Bochy’s got himself another Earl Weaver lineup — 3-run HR or nothing.

Belt at #2 just because he’s a lefty? That’s classic Bochy. If we want someone to hit to right, send Buster up there. Stick Belt in between two righties where he’ll be more effective.

I got a feeling we’re in for a lot of 7-6 and 8-7 games this year. Let’s hope for the best.




[quote author=Mick link=topic=18773.msg225530#msg225530 date=1520517218]
Bochy said yesterday that the Giants batting lineup against right handers would start Panik at leadoff, then Belt.  At leadoff last year, Panik hit .295 with a .354 OBP.  Panik was also the NL's toughest batter to strike out both of the last two years (which makes him the ideal #2 hitter, IMHO).

3-4-5 will be some combination of Posey, McCutchen and Longoria.  Pence, Crawford and the yet-to-be-named center fielder will complete the lineup.

Melancon had a 1-2-3 inning, first time back.  He has discomfort, but doesn't know if it's regular spring training discomfort or operation-gone-wrong discomfort.

From yesteryear, the performance of the Giants' traded-away high draft picks:

- Arroyo is batting .413 this spring, which compares to the .412 he batted during all of the Giants' spring training sessions (MLB career .192 BA)
- Phil Bickford, the top 2015 pick, has never progressed beyond A ball and has a career 8-8 record in the minors with a 2.71 ERA in 37 starts.  Not in the major league camp, 22 years old.
- 2016 2nd round pick Bryan Reynolds has hit between .312 and .317 between rookie and A ball the last two years.  He is 0 for 11 in spring training this year.
- 20 year old Lucius Fox, recipient of the largest signing bonus in SF Giants intl' history, has hit .242 the past two seasons in the low minors with 5 HRs in 702 ABs.  Improved from .207 to .266 from 2016 to 2017.

So that's what we're missing.

BTW, I realize that it's just spring training, but 29 year old career minor leaguer Kyle Jensen has five home runs (out of six hits) in 11 ABs this spring.  That makes him #2 in the majors after the Indians' second baseman Kipnis (who has six HRs in 20 ABs).  Everyone else in the top nine has more ABs than Jensen.

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[Mick]

Panik hits righties and lefties about the same for average, and his OBP is virtually identical.  But he strikes out a lot less against righties and his power numbers are significantly higher against righties.

With Belt, it's no contest.  If Belt had to hit lefties for a living he'd be out of the business.  If he could only hit righties, he might be out of the game.  And he is even better against right handed starters than right handed relievers.  His OBP is .375 vs. .316 (against lefties) and he strikes out much less against righties.  his OPS is even more pronounced, .879 against righties, .713 against lefties.  Although last year, his best position in the batting order was clearly fifth.

Sigh. Where to start on this one. You’re absolutely right that Panik is an ideal #2 guy. This lineup had better rediscover some power. because it’s gonna take 3 hits to score a run otherwise. I put the over-under of total SB this year by this parade of elephants to be around 10, and most of those will be from whoever plays CF. Bochy’s got himself another Earl Weaver lineup — 3-run HR or nothing.

Belt at #2 just because he’s a lefty? That’s classic Bochy. If we want someone to hit to right, send Buster up there. Stick Belt in between two righties where he’ll be more effective.

I got a feeling we’re in for a lot of 7-6 and 8-7 games this year. Let’s hope for the best.




[quote author=Mick link=topic=18773.msg225530#msg225530 date=1520517218]
Bochy said yesterday that the Giants batting lineup against right handers would start Panik at leadoff, then Belt.  At leadoff last year, Panik hit .295 with a .354 OBP.  Panik was also the NL's toughest batter to strike out both of the last two years (which makes him the ideal #2 hitter, IMHO).

3-4-5 will be some combination of Posey, McCutchen and Longoria.  Pence, Crawford and the yet-to-be-named center fielder will complete the lineup.

Melancon had a 1-2-3 inning, first time back.  He has discomfort, but doesn't know if it's regular spring training discomfort or operation-gone-wrong discomfort.

From yesteryear, the performance of the Giants' traded-away high draft picks:

- Arroyo is batting .413 this spring, which compares to the .412 he batted during all of the Giants' spring training sessions (MLB career .192 BA)
- Phil Bickford, the top 2015 pick, has never progressed beyond A ball and has a career 8-8 record in the minors with a 2.71 ERA in 37 starts.  Not in the major league camp, 22 years old.
- 2016 2nd round pick Bryan Reynolds has hit between .312 and .317 between rookie and A ball the last two years.  He is 0 for 11 in spring training this year.
- 20 year old Lucius Fox, recipient of the largest signing bonus in SF Giants intl' history, has hit .242 the past two seasons in the low minors with 5 HRs in 702 ABs.  Improved from .207 to .266 from 2016 to 2017.

So that's what we're missing.

BTW, I realize that it's just spring training, but 29 year old career minor leaguer Kyle Jensen has five home runs (out of six hits) in 11 ABs this spring.  That makes him #2 in the majors after the Indians' second baseman Kipnis (who has six HRs in 20 ABs).  Everyone else in the top nine has more ABs than Jensen.

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[/quote]