[lex24]

A few more thoughts re: Bailey.  

I just read Baggerly’s report on today’s game.  Evidently, I was being too conservative with my hope of seeing him as the Giants catcher on Opening Day next year.  Baggerly wrote that SF is considering moving him up to the big club at some point this season.  

He is far more than a “part time” guy.  I believe he is the Giants future behind the plate.  Mick, I really think you will be pleasantly surprised by him once he reaches the bigs.   He is already well above average receiver.  Add to that an offensive game that should be acceptable initially and become better as he gains experience.  In other words, you have the makings of a guy who could have a long career as a starting catcher.

Lastly, I can’t realistically hope that any catcher selected by the Giants in the middle of the first round will be another Posey.  He was a once in a generation talent who was selected in the top 5 and will be in the Hall of Fame someday.  Heck, other than Baltimore’s Rutschman, there aren’t any young catchers in the game today who have the potential of becoming another Posey and Rutschman was the #1 overall selection in 2019. 

My hope is finding a guy who can who consistently produce major league-level results defensively and offensively.

Obviously, I want Bailey to succeed. I know he won't be Posey. I'd be delighted if he grew into Bill Freehan, a lifetime .262 hitter. I'd be ecstatic if he was a successful as Bob Boone or Mike MacFarlane. Given that Posey hit about 100 points higher in high A than Bailey did, I'm just hopeful that Bailey ultimately hits .230 in the majors. I'd love to be pleasantly surprised for him to have a Kirt Manwaring (.246/.311/.318/.629 with one Gold Glove) type of career. I'm just worried he turns into John Boccabella (.219/.267/.317/.584), although admittedly Boccabella threw out 41% of base stealers in his career.

Kirt Manwaring Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More | Baseball-Reference.com

If he becomes another Bill Freehan, the Giants will have struck catcher-drafting gold twice in three tries.  Freehan was an 11 time all-star and a 5 time gold glove winner.  Quite frankly, his non-selection to the HOF is a travesty.

Agreed. Ditto Thurman Munson.

[lex24]

A few more thoughts re: Bailey.  

I just read Baggerly’s report on today’s game.  Evidently, I was being too conservative with my hope of seeing him as the Giants catcher on Opening Day next year.  Baggerly wrote that SF is considering moving him up to the big club at some point this season.  

He is far more than a “part time” guy.  I believe he is the Giants future behind the plate.  Mick, I really think you will be pleasantly surprised by him once he reaches the bigs.   He is already well above average receiver.  Add to that an offensive game that should be acceptable initially and become better as he gains experience.  In other words, you have the makings of a guy who could have a long career as a starting catcher.

Lastly, I can’t realistically hope that any catcher selected by the Giants in the middle of the first round will be another Posey.  He was a once in a generation talent who was selected in the top 5 and will be in the Hall of Fame someday.  Heck, other than Baltimore’s Rutschman, there aren’t any young catchers in the game today who have the potential of becoming another Posey and Rutschman was the #1 overall selection in 2019. 

My hope is finding a guy who can who consistently produce major league-level results defensively and offensively.

Obviously, I want Bailey to succeed. I know he won't be Posey. I'd be delighted if he grew into Bill Freehan, a lifetime .262 hitter. I'd be ecstatic if he was a successful as Bob Boone or Mike MacFarlane. Given that Posey hit about 100 points higher in high A than Bailey did, I'm just hopeful that Bailey ultimately hits .230 in the majors. I'd love to be pleasantly surprised for him to have a Kirt Manwaring (.246/.311/.318/.629 with one Gold Glove) type of career. I'm just worried he turns into John Boccabella (.219/.267/.317/.584), although admittedly Boccabella threw out 41% of base stealers in his career.

Kirt Manwaring Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More | Baseball-Reference.com

If he becomes another Bill Freehan, the Giants will have struck catcher-drafting gold twice in three tries.  Freehan was an 11 time all-star and a 5 time gold glove winner.  Quite frankly, his non-selection to the HOF is a travesty.

Agreed. Ditto Thurman Munson.