[Mick]

A few numbers to consider…

2022 OBP v. all pitchers: Slater .366, Pederson .353 (I would not characterize that as “has the best OBP on the team - by a mile”).  

Slater 2021 OBP v. RH: .230, OPS: .497
Slater 2022 OBP v. RH: .350, OPS: .710

Was 2022 an aberation or did he finally unlock the secret to hitting v. RH?  This season should provide us an answer.  I remain skeptical until he puts two seasons back-to-back.  

We absolutely agree on his value on the base paths.  He is an outstanding base stealer.  And, he is invaluable re: pinch hitting v. LH.  

Now, if someone can coach him regarding hitting the cutoff man………..


The Belt Wars are over.  Let the Slater Wars commence…..

Yes, after Pederson, for players with at least 200 ABs and are still in the organization, it drops to .322 (Estrada), .316 (Flores), .308 (Crawford).

Slater's career split vs. righties is terrible. He took a major leap last year, one that I think is lasting, particularly in a season where the league average BA is .242. He's figured the righties out, IMHO. But like you say, we'll find out this year.

I hope we don’t. He only gets appreciable time vs RH if there is an injury to one of the other OFs or Conforto/Yaz stink.  Neither of which would bode well.


While I’m at it, I’ll continue my Anti-WAR , war.  WAR may be a somewhat helpful tool in negotiating and when looking to trade/sign FAs.  But it does not measure a players value to his organization.  Crawford is Exnibit A.  Last year was the first time he got hurt. Played 118 games. The Giants were 62-51 in his starts.  His WAR 0.6.

Slater was 21st in on base percentage (.366) in all of MLB last year for batters with at least 300 plate appearances.  That doesn't suck too badly.

Who said anything about Slater sucking?  I certainly didn’t.  He’s a good ball player. Perfectly suited in a platoon, 300-350 PAs role. Hes not helpless  vs righthanders.  My point is, he only is going to get significant ABs vs RH’s if something bad happens to Conforto/Yaz/Haniger.

I think Conforto/Yaz/Haniger are primed for an incredible year. So we agree.

Giants played Team USA tonight. Starting pitcher was Mikolas, an all star last year. Other pitchers for Team USA were Pressly (all star in 2019 and 2021), Ottavino (2.06 ERA for Mets last year), Graveman (1.77 ERA in 2021 and 3.18 ERA last year), Bednar (All Star last year) and Adam (1.56 ERA for the Rays last year). In short, they have some pitching.

Starters in the field were All Stars Betts, Goldschmidt, Trout, Schwarber, Arenado, Turner, Tucker, and McNeil. The only starter on the field who WASN'T an all-star was Realmuto, not an all star last year, but in three of the last five years.

In short, ladies and gentlemen, the Giants should have lost big. Instead, they won big. Haniger hit two doubles. Villar hit a home run. Matos hit a double. Giants struck out 10 times, but had 10 hits, and DeSclafani struck out Goldschmidt, who shreds Giants pitching. Maneaea gave up just one run in three innings, Alexander struck out all three batters in one inning. Giants allowed just four hits, three by Manaea.

We might maybe have a pretty good team here, once you play the starters.

[Mick]

A few numbers to consider…

2022 OBP v. all pitchers: Slater .366, Pederson .353 (I would not characterize that as “has the best OBP on the team - by a mile”).  

Slater 2021 OBP v. RH: .230, OPS: .497
Slater 2022 OBP v. RH: .350, OPS: .710

Was 2022 an aberation or did he finally unlock the secret to hitting v. RH?  This season should provide us an answer.  I remain skeptical until he puts two seasons back-to-back.  

We absolutely agree on his value on the base paths.  He is an outstanding base stealer.  And, he is invaluable re: pinch hitting v. LH.  

Now, if someone can coach him regarding hitting the cutoff man………..


The Belt Wars are over.  Let the Slater Wars commence…..

Yes, after Pederson, for players with at least 200 ABs and are still in the organization, it drops to .322 (Estrada), .316 (Flores), .308 (Crawford).

Slater's career split vs. righties is terrible. He took a major leap last year, one that I think is lasting, particularly in a season where the league average BA is .242. He's figured the righties out, IMHO. But like you say, we'll find out this year.

I hope we don’t. He only gets appreciable time vs RH if there is an injury to one of the other OFs or Conforto/Yaz stink.  Neither of which would bode well.


While I’m at it, I’ll continue my Anti-WAR , war.  WAR may be a somewhat helpful tool in negotiating and when looking to trade/sign FAs.  But it does not measure a players value to his organization.  Crawford is Exnibit A.  Last year was the first time he got hurt. Played 118 games. The Giants were 62-51 in his starts.  His WAR 0.6.

Slater was 21st in on base percentage (.366) in all of MLB last year for batters with at least 300 plate appearances.  That doesn't suck too badly.

Who said anything about Slater sucking?  I certainly didn’t.  He’s a good ball player. Perfectly suited in a platoon, 300-350 PAs role. Hes not helpless  vs righthanders.  My point is, he only is going to get significant ABs vs RH’s if something bad happens to Conforto/Yaz/Haniger.

I think Conforto/Yaz/Haniger are primed for an incredible year. So we agree.

Giants played Team USA tonight. Starting pitcher was Mikolas, an all star last year. Other pitchers for Team USA were Pressly (all star in 2019 and 2021), Ottavino (2.06 ERA for Mets last year), Graveman (1.77 ERA in 2021 and 3.18 ERA last year), Bednar (All Star last year) and Adam (1.56 ERA for the Rays last year). In short, they have some pitching.

Starters in the field were All Stars Betts, Goldschmidt, Trout, Schwarber, Arenado, Turner, Tucker, and McNeil. The only starter on the field who WASN'T an all-star was Realmuto, not an all star last year, but in three of the last five years.

In short, ladies and gentlemen, the Giants should have lost big. Instead, they won big. Haniger hit two doubles. Villar hit a home run. Matos hit a double. Giants struck out 10 times, but had 10 hits, and DeSclafani struck out Goldschmidt, who shreds Giants pitching. Maneaea gave up just one run in three innings, Alexander struck out all three batters in one inning. Giants allowed just four hits, three by Manaea.

We might maybe have a pretty good team here, once you play the starters.