[lex24]

Most interesting story of Spring may be Mac Williamson.  He so looks the part. But so did Todd Linden. Changed swing and crushing it. But I expect he starts at Sac. Giants will want him to get AB’s. I think he has passed Slater as next man up. 

Bullpen a brobdingnagian concern. Melancon hasn’t pitched much. And that was a weird injury.  Dyson has been awful. Normally wouldn’t worry about a vet’s spring numbers  But he has to have memories of his horrific first 4  months last year. Smith won’t be ready till June or so. Could be a train wreck.

Bobk I don’t think Shaw has made contact in a week. 😢

[lex24]

Most interesting story of Spring may be Mac Williamson.  He so looks the part. But so did Todd Linden. Changed swing and crushing it. But I expect he starts at Sac. Giants will want him to get AB’s. I think he has passed Slater as next man up. 

Bullpen a brobdingnagian concern. Melancon hasn’t pitched much. And that was a weird injury.  Dyson has been awful. Normally wouldn’t worry about a vet’s spring numbers  But he has to have memories of his horrific first 4  months last year. Smith won’t be ready till June or so. Could be a train wreck.

Bobk I don’t think Shaw has made contact in a week. 😢

[DC 86]

Most interesting story of Spring may be Mac Williamson.  He so looks the part. But so did Todd Linden. Changed swing and crushing it. But I expect he starts at Sac. Giants will want him to get AB’s. I think he has passed Slater as next man up. 

Would be great if Williamson contributed this year but he's already 27 (turns 28 mid-season), hit 243/301/419 in the minors last year and 235/288/397 in the majors. Perhaps the new swing makes a difference but cases like J.D. Martinez are the exception that prove the rule. Slater is two and a half years younger than Williamson and has performed better in his limited opportunities last year so I would very surprised if he's been passed by Williamson in the Giants eyes in terms of the long term.

[DC 86]

Most interesting story of Spring may be Mac Williamson.  He so looks the part. But so did Todd Linden. Changed swing and crushing it. But I expect he starts at Sac. Giants will want him to get AB’s. I think he has passed Slater as next man up. 

Would be great if Williamson contributed this year but he's already 27 (turns 28 mid-season), hit 243/301/419 in the minors last year and 235/288/397 in the majors. Perhaps the new swing makes a difference but cases like J.D. Martinez are the exception that prove the rule. Slater is two and a half years younger than Williamson and has performed better in his limited opportunities last year so I would very surprised if he's been passed by Williamson in the Giants eyes in terms of the long term.

[Mick]

[quote author=lex24 link=topic=18873.msg225934#msg225934 date=1521093669]
Most interesting story of Spring may be Mac Williamson.  He so looks the part. But so did Todd Linden. Changed swing and crushing it. But I expect he starts at Sac. Giants will want him to get AB’s. I think he has passed Slater as next man up. 

Would be great if Williamson contributed this year but he's already 27 (turns 28 mid-season), hit 243/301/419 in the minors last year and 235/288/397 in the majors. Perhaps the new swing makes a difference but cases like J.D. Martinez are the exception that prove the rule. Slater is two and a half years younger than Williamson and has performed better in his limited opportunities last year so I would very surprised if he's been passed by Williamson in the Giants eyes in terms of the long term.
[/quote]

Just for grins, I looked at  Williamson's spring training stats last year and his slash line was .324 .378 .559 .937.  Mac's spring training stats lifetime are .329/.392/1.050 and this year's slash line is .359/.375/1.196, a considerable improvement.  The swing change may actually do him some good.  The other interesting piece to me is how close his majors and minors numbers are from last year.  Given that one is the PCL and the other is 1/2 AT&T, 1/2 MLB, those numbers are amazing close.

Even more interesting...last year, the Giants finished 20th in the 30 team majors in batting average in spring training (.258), 23rd in OBP (.321), 12th in slugging and 15th in OPS (.766).  During the regular season, the Giants finished 23rd in batting average (.249), 29th in OBP (.309), 30th in slugging (.380) and last in OPS (.689). 

This year, the Giants are first in spring training in OPS (.874), 1st in batting average (.290), 2nd in OBP (.358) and 1st in slugging (.515).  I doubt they finish 23rd/29th/30th/30th again.

Maybe the new hitting coach, Alonzo Powell is having an effect.  He coached the Houston Astros last year.  They scored the most runs, had the highest hitting percentage, had the most doubles, highest on base percentage, highest slugging percentage and, of course, the highest OPS in the major leagues.  They are only the third team since 1911 that had the highest OPS and the fewest strikeouts (1948 Indians and 1995 Yankees).  Alonzo just played a few years in the majors, but won three Japanese league batting championships.  Could be he maybe knows something about hitting.

[Mick]

[quote author=lex24 link=topic=18873.msg225934#msg225934 date=1521093669]
Most interesting story of Spring may be Mac Williamson.  He so looks the part. But so did Todd Linden. Changed swing and crushing it. But I expect he starts at Sac. Giants will want him to get AB’s. I think he has passed Slater as next man up. 

Would be great if Williamson contributed this year but he's already 27 (turns 28 mid-season), hit 243/301/419 in the minors last year and 235/288/397 in the majors. Perhaps the new swing makes a difference but cases like J.D. Martinez are the exception that prove the rule. Slater is two and a half years younger than Williamson and has performed better in his limited opportunities last year so I would very surprised if he's been passed by Williamson in the Giants eyes in terms of the long term.
[/quote]

Just for grins, I looked at  Williamson's spring training stats last year and his slash line was .324 .378 .559 .937.  Mac's spring training stats lifetime are .329/.392/1.050 and this year's slash line is .359/.375/1.196, a considerable improvement.  The swing change may actually do him some good.  The other interesting piece to me is how close his majors and minors numbers are from last year.  Given that one is the PCL and the other is 1/2 AT&T, 1/2 MLB, those numbers are amazing close.

Even more interesting...last year, the Giants finished 20th in the 30 team majors in batting average in spring training (.258), 23rd in OBP (.321), 12th in slugging and 15th in OPS (.766).  During the regular season, the Giants finished 23rd in batting average (.249), 29th in OBP (.309), 30th in slugging (.380) and last in OPS (.689). 

This year, the Giants are first in spring training in OPS (.874), 1st in batting average (.290), 2nd in OBP (.358) and 1st in slugging (.515).  I doubt they finish 23rd/29th/30th/30th again.

Maybe the new hitting coach, Alonzo Powell is having an effect.  He coached the Houston Astros last year.  They scored the most runs, had the highest hitting percentage, had the most doubles, highest on base percentage, highest slugging percentage and, of course, the highest OPS in the major leagues.  They are only the third team since 1911 that had the highest OPS and the fewest strikeouts (1948 Indians and 1995 Yankees).  Alonzo just played a few years in the majors, but won three Japanese league batting championships.  Could be he maybe knows something about hitting.

[qwerty49]

[quote author=DC 86 link=topic=18873.msg225950#msg225950 date=1521126788]
[quote author=lex24 link=topic=18873.msg225934#msg225934 date=1521093669]
Most interesting story of Spring may be Mac Williamson.  He so looks the part. But so did Todd Linden. Changed swing and crushing it. But I expect he starts at Sac. Giants will want him to get AB’s. I think he has passed Slater as next man up. 

Would be great if Williamson contributed this year but he's already 27 (turns 28 mid-season), hit 243/301/419 in the minors last year and 235/288/397 in the majors. Perhaps the new swing makes a difference but cases like J.D. Martinez are the exception that prove the rule. Slater is two and a half years younger than Williamson and has performed better in his limited opportunities last year so I would very surprised if he's been passed by Williamson in the Giants eyes in terms of the long term.
[/quote]

Just for grins, I looked at  Williamson's spring training stats last year and his slash line was .324 .378 .559 .937.  Mac's spring training stats lifetime are .329/.392/1.050 and this year's slash line is .359/.375/1.196, a considerable improvement.  The swing change may actually do him some good.  The other interesting piece to me is how close his majors and minors numbers are from last year.  Given that one is the PCL and the other is 1/2 AT&T, 1/2 MLB, those numbers are amazing close.

Even more interesting...last year, the Giants finished 20th in the 30 team majors in batting average in spring training (.258), 23rd in OBP (.321), 12th in slugging and 15th in OPS (.766).  During the regular season, the Giants finished 23rd in batting average (.249), 29th in OBP (.309), 30th in slugging (.380) and last in OPS (.689). 

This year, the Giants are first in spring training in OPS (.874), 1st in batting average (.290), 2nd in OBP (.358) and 1st in slugging (.515).  I doubt they finish 23rd/29th/30th/30th again.

Maybe the new hitting coach, Alonzo Powell is having an effect.  He coached the Houston Astros last year.  They scored the most runs, had the highest hitting percentage, had the most doubles, highest on base percentage, highest slugging percentage and, of course, the highest OPS in the major leagues.  They are only the third team since 1911 that had the highest OPS and the fewest strikeouts (1948 Indians and 1995 Yankees).  Alonzo just played a few years in the majors, but won three Japanese league batting championships.  Could be he maybe knows something about hitting.
[/quote]

Alonzo probably saw more than a few breaking balls in Japan.  If he can pass on some tips to guys like Belt and Williamson, the outcome can only be good.

[qwerty49]

[quote author=DC 86 link=topic=18873.msg225950#msg225950 date=1521126788]
[quote author=lex24 link=topic=18873.msg225934#msg225934 date=1521093669]
Most interesting story of Spring may be Mac Williamson.  He so looks the part. But so did Todd Linden. Changed swing and crushing it. But I expect he starts at Sac. Giants will want him to get AB’s. I think he has passed Slater as next man up. 

Would be great if Williamson contributed this year but he's already 27 (turns 28 mid-season), hit 243/301/419 in the minors last year and 235/288/397 in the majors. Perhaps the new swing makes a difference but cases like J.D. Martinez are the exception that prove the rule. Slater is two and a half years younger than Williamson and has performed better in his limited opportunities last year so I would very surprised if he's been passed by Williamson in the Giants eyes in terms of the long term.
[/quote]

Just for grins, I looked at  Williamson's spring training stats last year and his slash line was .324 .378 .559 .937.  Mac's spring training stats lifetime are .329/.392/1.050 and this year's slash line is .359/.375/1.196, a considerable improvement.  The swing change may actually do him some good.  The other interesting piece to me is how close his majors and minors numbers are from last year.  Given that one is the PCL and the other is 1/2 AT&T, 1/2 MLB, those numbers are amazing close.

Even more interesting...last year, the Giants finished 20th in the 30 team majors in batting average in spring training (.258), 23rd in OBP (.321), 12th in slugging and 15th in OPS (.766).  During the regular season, the Giants finished 23rd in batting average (.249), 29th in OBP (.309), 30th in slugging (.380) and last in OPS (.689). 

This year, the Giants are first in spring training in OPS (.874), 1st in batting average (.290), 2nd in OBP (.358) and 1st in slugging (.515).  I doubt they finish 23rd/29th/30th/30th again.

Maybe the new hitting coach, Alonzo Powell is having an effect.  He coached the Houston Astros last year.  They scored the most runs, had the highest hitting percentage, had the most doubles, highest on base percentage, highest slugging percentage and, of course, the highest OPS in the major leagues.  They are only the third team since 1911 that had the highest OPS and the fewest strikeouts (1948 Indians and 1995 Yankees).  Alonzo just played a few years in the majors, but won three Japanese league batting championships.  Could be he maybe knows something about hitting.
[/quote]

Alonzo probably saw more than a few breaking balls in Japan.  If he can pass on some tips to guys like Belt and Williamson, the outcome can only be good.

[DC 86]

I assume that the Giants fans on here already saw the news that Bumgarner broke his pitching hand today when he was hit by a line drive.

[DC 86]

I assume that the Giants fans on here already saw the news that Bumgarner broke his pitching hand today when he was hit by a line drive.

[lex24]

Just heard it. Season over.

I assume that the Giants fans on here already saw the news that Bumgarner broke his pitching hand today when he was hit by a line drive.

[lex24]

Just heard it. Season over.

I assume that the Giants fans on here already saw the news that Bumgarner broke his pitching hand today when he was hit by a line drive.

[qwerty49]

Fractured pinkie, out 6-8 weeks.

And Samardzija out 3-4 weeks as well.  :(

[qwerty49]

Fractured pinkie, out 6-8 weeks.

And Samardzija out 3-4 weeks as well.  :(

[Phogge]

In The I Told You So Department I said they should have traded him this offseason. And Arrieta sat there unsigned for months. Now they should dump Belt and Crawford for prospects and begin an inevitable rebuild one year before they would have had to.

The Dodgers are Secretariat in the West and the Giants open 40 lengths behind.

[Phogge]

In The I Told You So Department I said they should have traded him this offseason. And Arrieta sat there unsigned for months. Now they should dump Belt and Crawford for prospects and begin an inevitable rebuild one year before they would have had to.

The Dodgers are Secretariat in the West and the Giants open 40 lengths behind.

[wallendar]

Crawford has a no trade deal and Belt has a limited trade deal...

[wallendar]

Crawford has a no trade deal and Belt has a limited trade deal...

[qwerty49]

They're gonna have to win a lot of 10-9 games in Apr/May/June.

[qwerty49]

They're gonna have to win a lot of 10-9 games in Apr/May/June.

[OutsiderFan]

The Baseball Gods smite the Giants for ignoring their reality. The path is now paved to deal Bumgarner to the Yankees, Red Sox, Cubs, Astros or Nationals in July.

There is now no reason at all to pay attention to the Giants this season. If they had some young and exciting prospects playing, there would be.  But an aging team, playing without its best pitcher, sinking in the standings, going into a re-build that hasn't even started yet, that's not a recipe for eyeballs.

[OutsiderFan]

The Baseball Gods smite the Giants for ignoring their reality. The path is now paved to deal Bumgarner to the Yankees, Red Sox, Cubs, Astros or Nationals in July.

There is now no reason at all to pay attention to the Giants this season. If they had some young and exciting prospects playing, there would be.  But an aging team, playing without its best pitcher, sinking in the standings, going into a re-build that hasn't even started yet, that's not a recipe for eyeballs.

[gocard14]

Seems overly pessimistic to me. They’re hitting the cover off the ball in spring training. If that carries over and the team plays to their potential, they could have one of the best hitting line ups in the league. It’s not hard to picture a scenario where cueto plays like an ace and the bats keep them in a  lot of games.

Pitching will obviously be a problem, but if the lineup and bullpen can keep them near .500, until madbum and smardizja return then they could be in good shape for a wild card spot.

Alternatively the bullpen could stink, the starting pitching could be a dumpster fire, and the lineup could be average and plagued by injuries due to age. But it’s hardly worth blowing up the roster now, especially as others have mentioned the returns may not be great.

[gocard14]

Seems overly pessimistic to me. They’re hitting the cover off the ball in spring training. If that carries over and the team plays to their potential, they could have one of the best hitting line ups in the league. It’s not hard to picture a scenario where cueto plays like an ace and the bats keep them in a  lot of games.

Pitching will obviously be a problem, but if the lineup and bullpen can keep them near .500, until madbum and smardizja return then they could be in good shape for a wild card spot.

Alternatively the bullpen could stink, the starting pitching could be a dumpster fire, and the lineup could be average and plagued by injuries due to age. But it’s hardly worth blowing up the roster now, especially as others have mentioned the returns may not be great.

[BobK]

Thanks go card.  I’ll continue to root hard for at least 4 months lol
But I shall watch every game until then.

[BobK]

Thanks go card.  I’ll continue to root hard for at least 4 months lol
But I shall watch every game until then.

[lex24]

Yeah well you still are wrong.  :P

  This was a fluke. It is not as if his arm is breaking down. They still have time to trade him if they have to. 

  They gave it one last shot. I’m not going to criticize that. They may start tearing it apart at the deadline.

They were never a threat to top the Dodgers. But they were a potential WC contender. Get in then anything can happen.

In The I Told You So Department I said they should have traded him this offseason. And Arrieta sat there unsigned for months. Now they should dump Belt and Crawford for prospects and begin an inevitable rebuild one year before they would have had to.

The Dodgers are Secretariat in the West and the Giants open 40 lengths behind.

[lex24]

Yeah well you still are wrong.  :P

  This was a fluke. It is not as if his arm is breaking down. They still have time to trade him if they have to. 

  They gave it one last shot. I’m not going to criticize that. They may start tearing it apart at the deadline.

They were never a threat to top the Dodgers. But they were a potential WC contender. Get in then anything can happen.

In The I Told You So Department I said they should have traded him this offseason. And Arrieta sat there unsigned for months. Now they should dump Belt and Crawford for prospects and begin an inevitable rebuild one year before they would have had to.

The Dodgers are Secretariat in the West and the Giants open 40 lengths behind.

[lex24]

I’ll be right there with you. Painful as it may be.....

Thanks go card.  I’ll continue to root hard for at least 4 months lol
But I shall watch every game until then.

[lex24]

I’ll be right there with you. Painful as it may be.....

Thanks go card.  I’ll continue to root hard for at least 4 months lol
But I shall watch every game until then.

[BrevinsBest]

The Giants are never going to tear down the team. That’s not how thy operate.

The McCutchen signing was good because they get a comp draft pick if he leaves in free agency. He’s also not that old. 

They may try to trade madbum (I don’t think they will) but it would only be to sign a brobdingnagian name like Harper. You’re never going to see a young team out there.

[BrevinsBest]

The Giants are never going to tear down the team. That’s not how thy operate.

The McCutchen signing was good because they get a comp draft pick if he leaves in free agency. He’s also not that old. 

They may try to trade madbum (I don’t think they will) but it would only be to sign a brobdingnagian name like Harper. You’re never going to see a young team out there.

[Mick]

Here's a take on some good news.  I think everyone knows that the Giants have been the hottest hitting team in spring training.  The Giants are averaging 7.11 runs per game right now.

Last season's Giants averaged 5.11 runs per game in spring training.  That fell to 3.94 runs per game during the year (639 runs/162 games).  So the Giants dropped off by 1.17 runs per game from spring training to the regular season, as they moved to a less hitter-friendly park in AT&T.

What if we had the same drop-off of 1.17 runs per game?  That means the Giants would score 5.94 runs per game, or 961 runs for the season.  That would beat Houston's totals by 67 runs from last year and give the Giants the sixth highest total in the history of the game.

The Giants lost 28 games by one run last year.  If they win those same 28, that puts them at 92-70 -- and that's within the post season.

[Mick]

Here's a take on some good news.  I think everyone knows that the Giants have been the hottest hitting team in spring training.  The Giants are averaging 7.11 runs per game right now.

Last season's Giants averaged 5.11 runs per game in spring training.  That fell to 3.94 runs per game during the year (639 runs/162 games).  So the Giants dropped off by 1.17 runs per game from spring training to the regular season, as they moved to a less hitter-friendly park in AT&T.

What if we had the same drop-off of 1.17 runs per game?  That means the Giants would score 5.94 runs per game, or 961 runs for the season.  That would beat Houston's totals by 67 runs from last year and give the Giants the sixth highest total in the history of the game.

The Giants lost 28 games by one run last year.  If they win those same 28, that puts them at 92-70 -- and that's within the post season.

[Phogge]

No let’s go Dafoe- Cruise and you’re wrong although the scene was a bit more dramatic.

He will try to come back too soon, change his delivery and be done a la Dizzy Dean.

[Phogge]

No let’s go Dafoe- Cruise and you’re wrong although the scene was a bit more dramatic.

He will try to come back too soon, change his delivery and be done a la Dizzy Dean.