McCovey Chronicles Community Prospect List: #5 Runoff

So help me god, if you guys vote to a tie here, I’ll turn this damn car around.

My adopted son Matt Downs. Lost in the wilderness of mediocrity.

by nvsfg on Nov 12, 2008 5:51 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Noonan BTW :-)

My adopted son Matt Downs. Lost in the wilderness of mediocrity.

by nvsfg on Nov 12, 2008 5:54 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Nearly 300 hanging chads later...time to call it for Noonan?

and give #6 to Gillaspie after this bail nighter? (That’s a nail biter for Bay City Ball’s sake, who’s hopefully had enough tea now to survive the afternoon.)

Giants: World Series Champions...in 2011.

by Giants_Junkie on Nov 13, 2008 2:17 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Nick at Nite

by wilriv21 on Nov 12, 2008 5:56 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Giant douche or turd sandwich?

…I preferred Pucetas.

Kyle Nicholson: the fyootch

by stealth snail on Nov 12, 2008 5:58 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Gillaspie… again. Plate discipline FTW!

Idolizing Robb Nen since 2002...

by Smoke on the Water on Nov 12, 2008 6:03 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Noonan gets my vote

but Rafael Rodrirguez is my true no. 5

Do you Wazzel?

by NeifiChicken on Nov 12, 2008 6:09 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

this

Rafael Rodriguez: He thinks Al Harrington sucks.

by BrianBokake on Nov 13, 2008 12:22 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Changed my vote to my adopted son

Can’t point to one reason. Maybe it’s that I think he really can stick at second and hope that his power and pitch selection will improve with age. He’s got good base-running ability and that he’s still only 19 is pretty cool too.

Noonan. Nooooonan!

by Giant Fan in Singapore on Nov 12, 2008 6:13 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Changed your vote?

You didn’t vote for your adopted son before?

I think you should expect a visit from Child Protective Services…

Scott McClain: Great story, no place on the 2009 Giants.

by EliminateMe on Nov 13, 2008 11:15 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

This is pretty even too. :|

There amass been plenty of articles written this spring about the stud shortstop Matt Cain and Tim Lincecum , as well as the fluid young outfielders and thirteen basemen Kevin Frandsen.
comics | art | Nattowear | McFAQ I & II

by Natto on Nov 12, 2008 6:16 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

if it’s a tie again, we should just anoint them both #5.

The Denker bus is now bound for San Diego. Those who were passengers on it are now angrily stranded at a gas station in Modesto, CA. Not much about baseball here .

by oldjacket on Nov 12, 2008 6:20 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

That’s my plan.

When I was a kid I used to pray every night for a new bicycle. Then I realized God doesn’t work that way, so I stole one and prayed for forgiveness. - Emo Philips

Neglectful father of David Quinowski

by marcello on Nov 12, 2008 6:21 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

did anyone inform you that Grant’s vote is actually worth 109 votes?

Todd Jennings: If he's on the DL, he can't suck as much, right?

by Speedforthewin on Nov 12, 2008 9:38 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Voted Conor, again!

This is a lot like the #2 pick, Conor and Noonan are really super close.

#1 JUDY STEFFES FAN
My favorite pie is (name of pie flavor)
Bay City Ball

by xanthan on Nov 12, 2008 6:25 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

oh man tied at 17 each so far

Less arm, more talk. Raisingcain is a GAMER.
Adopted Giant: Henry Sosa

by raisingcain on Nov 12, 2008 6:32 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Sick I tied it at 18 wih my vote.

Hasheem "The Beat" Thabeet or Brandon Jennings. A Warrior in 09.

by ejdacanay on Nov 12, 2008 6:34 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Need a 5a and 5b

Noonan as 5a BTW =]

Sergio Romo will gladly hand you a bench to sit on / GIANTSPACE™ / Adopted brother of the AnVil

by SoFa King Mike on Nov 12, 2008 6:38 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Gillaspie, again.

Sometimes you just have to play a hunch.

Noonan’s my 5A, as Mike said.

by fwoty oz on Nov 12, 2008 7:06 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

TIED AT 31

waiting for 2011....

by Osama91w9 on Nov 12, 2008 7:17 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

GILLASPIE

Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.
PABLO SANDOVAL AM STEAL DEATH, DESTROYER OF WORLDS.

by jponry on Nov 12, 2008 7:26 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

48-43

GILLASPIE

The Basil Fawlty Moderating Strategy:
"We could run a nice blog here if we didn't have all these members getting in the way."

by WalrusMan on Nov 12, 2008 8:05 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

48-46 Gillaspie

We need commentators to cover this, election style. Somebody needs to give us the rundown by geographic area, age, and political affiliation.

I voted for Noonan.

I'm as tall as Mel - why can't I hit 500 home runs?

by Ott on Nov 12, 2008 8:09 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

We need commentators to cover this, election style

Can you imagine Dan Rather or James Carville?

by wilriv21 on Nov 12, 2008 8:14 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Where is my Election Stats Nate Silver ?

My adopted son Matt Downs. Lost in the wilderness of mediocrity.

by nvsfg on Nov 13, 2008 7:52 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

"Don't trust anyone under the age of 30" - Brian Sabean

by Smotheredinhugs on Nov 12, 2008 8:16 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

52-48

This really is starting to look like Ted Stevens vs. Mark Begich (currently separated by 3 of over 260,000 votes). Except that neither Nick Noonan nor Conor Gillaspie is a desiccated 85-year old convicted felon who thinks the Internet is made up of a series of tubes. As far as I know, at least.

Never has a poster been more correct in the history of the internet. Ever! - ResDog on yours truly

by jcb9 on Nov 12, 2008 8:22 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Nate Silver says Noonan voters tend to go to the polls late at night or early in the morning, so we’re expecting 51.7 percent of the remaining votes to go Noonan’s way.

by Evan on Nov 12, 2008 8:28 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Well, Begich appears to be pulling away, and so is Gillaspie. So, apparently, Nick Noonan = Ted Stevens.

Never has a poster been more correct in the history of the internet. Ever! - ResDog on yours truly

by jcb9 on Nov 12, 2008 9:36 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Si

Begich is pulling away as his lead widens to 814 votes. Possibly he can see DC all the way from Anchorage.

by wilriv21 on Nov 12, 2008 10:54 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I’m reading this at 7:02 eastern, with Noonan ahead by one, and cackling.

by Evan on Nov 13, 2008 4:03 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Don’t underestimate the Norwegian vote….

Am I mad, in a coma, or back in time? Whatever's happened, it's like I've landed on a different planet. Now, maybe if I can work out the reason, I can get home.

by Lyle on Nov 13, 2008 5:53 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Man, I called it too soon! 112-103 Noonan. At the moment, Gillaspie is Ted Stevens. Which is fine by me, because I’m a Noonan supporter.

Never has a poster been more correct in the history of the internet. Ever! - ResDog on yours truly

by jcb9 on Nov 13, 2008 9:00 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

We’re going by “Noonites” now.

by Evan on Nov 13, 2008 9:12 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

how ’bout “Nooners”?

by wilriv21 on Nov 13, 2008 11:31 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I went noonan because i’m just not that high on Gillaspie, i guess because i was kinda sad he got called up and didn’t play more in the minors.

Pac Bell, SBC, AT&T, 2010=???

by jt_7241 on Nov 12, 2008 8:25 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

That doesn’t really make any sense, but we in the Noonan Party welcome everyone into our big tent.

by Evan on Nov 12, 2008 8:28 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

You’re the Sarah Palin of Noonan supporters!

#1 JUDY STEFFES FAN
My favorite pie is (name of pie flavor)
Bay City Ball

by xanthan on Nov 12, 2008 8:36 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I saw a video of Nick playing once, that makes me a scout.

Sergio Romo will gladly hand you a bench to sit on / GIANTSPACE™ / Adopted brother of the AnVil

by SoFa King Mike on Nov 12, 2008 9:48 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I can see Rafael Rodriguez from my house

Rafael Rodriguez: He thinks Al Harrington sucks.

by BrianBokake on Nov 13, 2008 12:25 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

winner!

Am I mad, in a coma, or back in time? Whatever's happened, it's like I've landed on a different planet. Now, maybe if I can work out the reason, I can get home.

by Lyle on Nov 13, 2008 6:38 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

54-49

My vote counts!

I see the future, and it is Pablo

by CB30 on Nov 12, 2008 8:30 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Go Gillaspie!

by chilibean_3 on Nov 12, 2008 8:36 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Gillaspie

Plate discipline + closer to the majors (i.e. less risk) = win (but just barely).

by Ian in Tokyo on Nov 12, 2008 9:00 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

yup.

Castillo got the DFA. Guestimate for Castillo DFA to come before the 2009 season = 2.

by kennv on Nov 13, 2008 6:56 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Gillaspie puling away. Im going with the old guy – age and major league experience wise. Im a lil worried though, what if he dies before abritration? Does Crawford take his place as the 5th prospect? That would be a NIGHTMARE!

by lincypoo i wuv u on Nov 12, 2008 9:07 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

win

Todd Jennings: If he's on the DL, he can't suck as much, right?

by Speedforthewin on Nov 12, 2008 9:39 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

i’m thinking whoever loses this one (esp. if it’s noonan) is going to steamroll the competition in the next round.

Idolizing Robb Nen since 2002...

by Smoke on the Water on Nov 12, 2008 9:17 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

See community prospect #4…

Tim Lincecum is Baseball's Chuck Norris

by Azantor on Nov 12, 2008 10:07 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

bingo, but i have a hunch that if noonan wins, a lot of his votes would go to kieschnick because he’s another high-upside, toolsy type. whereas if gillaspie wins, i feel like almost all his supporters will swing noonan’s way. just a gut instinct there though.

Idolizing Robb Nen since 2002...

by Smoke on the Water on Nov 12, 2008 10:12 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

groud’s vote is gonna be the deciding factor

Kyle Nicholson: the fyootch

by stealth snail on Nov 12, 2008 10:18 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Conor down by one now, what are the chances we tie again?

#1 JUDY STEFFES FAN
My favorite pie is (name of pie flavor)
Bay City Ball

by xanthan on Nov 13, 2008 6:55 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

I'd say...

That if it’s tied after a pretty long vote, then they both go in as #5. Then we move on to the “#7 prospect.” But of course it’s also up to marcello.

The Basil Fawlty Moderating Strategy:
"We could run a nice blog here if we didn't have all these members getting in the way."

by WalrusMan on Nov 13, 2008 7:08 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Yup, this makes the most sense to me.

When I was a kid I used to pray every night for a new bicycle. Then I realized God doesn’t work that way, so I stole one and prayed for forgiveness. - Emo Philips

Neglectful father of David Quinowski

by marcello on Nov 13, 2008 8:18 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

It’s noonan by a vote. Someone should link to this on John Sickels’s site.

The Denker bus is now bound for San Diego. Those who were passengers on it are now angrily stranded at a gas station in Modesto, CA. Not much about baseball here .

by oldjacket on Nov 13, 2008 7:06 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Let the write ins for Brett Anderston start!

The Basil Fawlty Moderating Strategy:
"We could run a nice blog here if we didn't have all these members getting in the way."

by WalrusMan on Nov 13, 2008 7:07 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Sickels’ is semi-interesting now and then but, my god, his site is unreadable. The amount of PROSPECT HOUNDS that troll around on that thing is redonkulous.

#1 JUDY STEFFES FAN
My favorite pie is (name of pie flavor)
Bay City Ball

by xanthan on Nov 13, 2008 7:08 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Insofar as this is a semiscientific attempt to figure out how Giants fans rate our own prospects, inviting a bunch of those Sickels bozos over is probably a bad idea.

by Evan on Nov 13, 2008 7:11 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

CASEY WEATHERS IS THE BEST PROSPECT EVER, DIPSHIT!

#1 JUDY STEFFES FAN
My favorite pie is (name of pie flavor)
Bay City Ball

by xanthan on Nov 13, 2008 7:12 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I meant for the man himself to consider, but you’re right. An email would work better for that.

The Denker bus is now bound for San Diego. Those who were passengers on it are now angrily stranded at a gas station in Modesto, CA. Not much about baseball here .

by oldjacket on Nov 13, 2008 7:53 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

As you may or may not know, sharksrog tried to convince him a couple of years ago that Tim Lincecum should be ranked ahead of Phil Hughes and Homer Bailey, but he paid no attention.

by Evan on Nov 13, 2008 9:11 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

If only we had listened to sharksrog.

#1 JUDY STEFFES FAN
My favorite pie is (name of pie flavor)
Bay City Ball

by xanthan on Nov 13, 2008 9:41 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

He is the sharksrog, dammit

by Evan on Nov 13, 2008 10:07 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I had not heard this before.

McC's Outstanding Newcomer '08.

by FairweatherFan on Nov 13, 2008 11:01 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

It's a well-kept secret

My current Interwebs obsession is pretty awesome. Also, my website is called ChatterBalks Dot Com. It's not being updated right now. Hope for more at your own risk.

by groug on Nov 13, 2008 11:51 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Here's another...

He got a tear in his eye watching the 41 second video at calleaguers.com of Tim playing long toss.

Check out The Examined Life. Or don't. Whatever.
"I been waitin' a long time for this! I been waitin' since the f**kin' amateurs!" --WILL "THE THRILL" CLARK

by Josh from Hollywood on Nov 14, 2008 2:15 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Sorry Guys, Sorry Nick...

I just voted for Gillaspie (he looked like he knew what he was doing in the few at bats he has with the Giants after a Sep. call up).
The vote is now 94 to 94.

by kar120c on Nov 13, 2008 7:16 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

A Gillaspie you can believe in! He has pie in his last name, coincidence? I think not!

#1 JUDY STEFFES FAN
My favorite pie is (name of pie flavor)
Bay City Ball

by xanthan on Nov 13, 2008 7:17 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

PIE+

by Lars The Wanderer on Nov 13, 2008 7:32 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

For all you math lovers...

He also has pi in his last name – Gillaspie

by kar120c on Nov 13, 2008 7:22 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

He does not however

have Phi in his name :-)

My adopted son Matt Downs. Lost in the wilderness of mediocrity.

by nvsfg on Nov 13, 2008 7:57 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Noonan

..so allow me to present Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain as two sweet, sweet bottles of warming hooch.

by Cookyman on Nov 13, 2008 8:00 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Noonan is pulling away.

I think we know who #6 is.

The Denker bus is now bound for San Diego. Those who were passengers on it are now angrily stranded at a gas station in Modesto, CA. Not much about baseball here .

by oldjacket on Nov 13, 2008 8:22 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

EARLY POLL REPORTING REDUCES VOTER TURNOUT!

#1 JUDY STEFFES FAN
My favorite pie is (name of pie flavor)
Bay City Ball

by xanthan on Nov 13, 2008 8:23 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

GOOD!

The Denker bus is now bound for San Diego. Those who were passengers on it are now angrily stranded at a gas station in Modesto, CA. Not much about baseball here .

by oldjacket on Nov 13, 2008 8:24 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I’m going to go all ACORN on you guys and start registering accounts!

#1 JUDY STEFFES FAN
My favorite pie is (name of pie flavor)
Bay City Ball

by xanthan on Nov 13, 2008 8:30 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Association of Computers Organizing for Reformatting Now?

Never has a poster been more correct in the history of the internet. Ever! - ResDog on yours truly

by jcb9 on Nov 13, 2008 9:02 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Association of Computers Organizing for Runoff Nullification

Mischievously implosive purple pitching staff.

by SloIsLonelyForTheOrange on Nov 13, 2008 10:08 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Admires Conor Over Realdeal Nick

Am I mad, in a coma, or back in time? Whatever's happened, it's like I've landed on a different planet. Now, maybe if I can work out the reason, I can get home.

by Lyle on Nov 13, 2008 11:14 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Charlie Brown

this is going like Charlie Brown, fiscal conservative, environmental, honest, locally involved war vet making a late surge on late arriving mail in ballots to win Calif 4th Congressional District over carpetbagger soundbite reactionary McClintock

adopter/sponsor of "Go, Antoan" Richardson

by foothillsfan on Nov 13, 2008 8:26 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

you’re not elected charlie brown! good grief.

by lincypoo i wuv u on Nov 13, 2008 2:53 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

If there's one thing I know . . .

don’t drink the runoff.

The Denker bus is now bound for San Diego. Those who were passengers on it are now angrily stranded at a gas station in Modesto, CA. Not much about baseball here .

by oldjacket on Nov 13, 2008 10:01 AM PST reply actions 1 recs

This may be flawed reasoning, but since it was tough to decide, I picked Conor because he plays a position of greater need for the team and greater scarcity throughout the league.

Yes we did!

by Goofus on Nov 13, 2008 10:27 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Exit-pollin'

so how did those that voted for not Gillaspie or Noonan the first go round, vote in the run-off.

I went from the unpopular Ishi pick, to the “closer to the majors” Gillaspie. Is Noonan wrapping up the Kieschnick, Fairley and Rafa vote? How are Pucetas and Sosa suporters splitting?

Castillo got the DFA. Guestimate for Castillo DFA to come before the 2009 season = 2.

by kennv on Nov 13, 2008 10:59 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Sosa to Noonan.

The Denker bus is now bound for San Diego. Those who were passengers on it are now angrily stranded at a gas station in Modesto, CA. Not much about baseball here .

by oldjacket on Nov 13, 2008 11:04 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Sosa to Gilaspie

Hector Sanchez: really getting tired of playing baseball in foreign countries...

by tedfordfan on Nov 13, 2008 11:22 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Sosa to CG

Giants: World Series Champions...in 2011.

by Giants_Junkie on Nov 13, 2008 11:43 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Pucetas to Noonan

by droug on Nov 13, 2008 5:17 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Kieschnick to Gillaspie

Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.
PABLO SANDOVAL AM STEAL DEATH, DESTROYER OF WORLDS.

by jponry on Nov 13, 2008 12:23 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

…. to Posey. Martin is out at the plate!

by wilriv21 on Nov 13, 2008 12:47 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Is there..

Supposed to be a “SUCK IT” here then?

The Basil Fawlty Moderating Strategy:
"We could run a nice blog here if we didn't have all these members getting in the way."

by WalrusMan on Nov 13, 2008 1:20 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

SUCK IT RUSSELL MARTIN!

Damn, I was saving that one for April, too.

"Just another ahahahaha... laugher."

by capnk on Nov 13, 2008 1:24 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

If he is a Dodger

it is good all year long

by wilriv21 on Nov 13, 2008 1:25 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Fairley to noonan.

by DuikeBuike on Nov 13, 2008 2:55 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

...to chance

Idolizing Robb Nen since 2002...

by Smoke on the Water on Nov 13, 2008 6:38 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

same

Less arm, more talk. Raisingcain is a GAMER.
Adopted Giant: Henry Sosa

by raisingcain on Nov 13, 2008 7:10 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

as jponry, that is

kieschnick to gillaspie

Less arm, more talk. Raisingcain is a GAMER.
Adopted Giant: Henry Sosa

by raisingcain on Nov 13, 2008 7:10 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I went Kieschnick to Noonan

I support Roger Kieschnick in his quest to becoming the best Kieschnick ever to play professional baseball.

by Takimoto on Nov 14, 2008 10:41 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I did exactly what you did

Yes we did!

by Goofus on Nov 13, 2008 1:35 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

We’re the undecided swing votes!

Yes we did!

by Goofus on Nov 13, 2008 3:04 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

RECOUNT

"he walked 18; new league record! Struck out 18, another new league record! He also hit the sportswriter, the PA announcer, the bull mascot twice..."

by i did my job on Nov 13, 2008 11:07 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Inquiry

This was probably discussed at the start, but I missed the first couple of polls, so my apologies:

How long of a list are we going to be doing? Top 10? Top 20?

Never has a poster been more correct in the history of the internet. Ever! - ResDog on yours truly

by jcb9 on Nov 13, 2008 11:10 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Until there are no more prospects to be ranked.

by chilibean_3 on Nov 13, 2008 11:18 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

#109:
Steve Hammond
Brian Bocock
Nestor Rojas
Matt Palmer

Imagine the heated debate over THAT vote!

Never has a poster been more correct in the history of the internet. Ever! - ResDog on yours truly

by jcb9 on Nov 13, 2008 11:24 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Voting turnout will likely be higher for that one due to the large “Bocock the Vote!” campaign.

by mxmob33 on Nov 13, 2008 1:34 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs

He’ll win if he changes his name to “Bocock Obama”

Yes we did!

by Goofus on Nov 13, 2008 1:36 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs

Bocock Hussein Obama!

#1 JUDY STEFFES FAN
My favorite pie is (name of pie flavor)
Bay City Ball

by xanthan on Nov 13, 2008 1:37 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Top 20 at least. Probably top 30. Honestly, a lot will depend on the interest level.

When I was a kid I used to pray every night for a new bicycle. Then I realized God doesn’t work that way, so I stole one and prayed for forgiveness. - Emo Philips

Neglectful father of David Quinowski

by marcello on Nov 13, 2008 1:15 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

This could get us through the cold, lonely winter

"Just another ahahahaha... laugher."

by capnk on Nov 13, 2008 1:25 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

One of the main reasons to do this, in my mind. Beyond the fact that it’s fun and interesting.

When I was a kid I used to pray every night for a new bicycle. Then I realized God doesn’t work that way, so I stole one and prayed for forgiveness. - Emo Philips

Neglectful father of David Quinowski

by marcello on Nov 13, 2008 2:16 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

and informative

by wilriv21 on Nov 13, 2008 2:26 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

agreed

though I already miss the games. at least the good ones

Adopted Giant: Aaron King

Wearing the crown by 2011. Or at least the LOOGY hat

by baetown415 on Nov 13, 2008 2:51 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I voted Gillaspie

In hopes of a tie. :^p

Rodriguez is my #5.

Besides, I demand a revote: Gillaspie was misrepresented in his description above.

“Decent Power”? According to the MLB scouting report – http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/draft/y2008/reports_popup.jsp?popup=yes&content=gillaspie – here is what they have to say about his power: “He doesn’t have much and doesn’t profile to have much. He’s a base-hit machine.” Plus they mentioned his weakness is “Lack of power keeps him from having a true profile position.”

Here is the summary: “After a strong Cape season, Gillaspie has followed up with an excellent junior campaign. He’s a terrific hitter and has been over .400 for most of the year. His lack of power makes it hard to profile him anywhere other than as a Bill Mueller-type third baseman. There are worse things to be, of course, and a team that values what Gillaspie can do will surely take him.” Of course, the team that valued Bill Mueller selected him.

In addition, if you are going to mention how well he did in Cape Cod, I think you have to mention that Todd Linden also did well in Cape Cod league too, but that didn’t much for him.

I still don’t see how anyone can select either of them, who at best profile as solid major leaguers, above Rodriguez, who could be a potential star who can hit for power.

Adoptive parental unit of Kevin " 2007's Most Spectacular Pitcher" Pucetas.

"I'm a Giant now... I like watching the ball get up there" - Wendell Fairley
"I'm really proud to be on this team." - Nate Schierholtz
"Woo hoo" - Tim "The Kid" Lincecum

by obsessivegiantscompulsive on Nov 13, 2008 4:09 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Does Rodriguez even exists?

If so, how about him taking a collar or two before prouncing as the next potential star.

by wilriv21 on Nov 13, 2008 4:29 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I don’t see how anyone can select Rodriguez, who could be the next Wily Mo Pena, over either of these guys who profile as solid major leaguers.

My current Interwebs obsession is pretty awesome. Also, my website is called ChatterBalks Dot Com. It's not being updated right now. Hope for more at your own risk.

by groug on Nov 13, 2008 5:13 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, when I did prospect rankings on my site, I stuck Rodriguez at #10 and even I realize that could be high for him. The thing is, we don’t know anything about him besides that he “projects for power” and has a body like Dave Winfield. Upside is something to consider in prospects but Rodriguez is a pretty big unknown and despite the money he was paid there are questions about his hitting mechanics.

I guess a good counterpoint is would anyone feel comfortable ranking Wendell Fairley at #5? His upsides is just as large, maybe even larger if he stay in CF like projected. And unlike Rodriguez, he’s actually had some pro AB’s already.

#1 JUDY STEFFES FAN
My favorite pie is (name of pie flavor)
Bay City Ball

by xanthan on Nov 13, 2008 5:41 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Where do you think a Latin bonus baby like Rodriguez would go if he were eligible for the draft? I assume it would be no lower than Fairley (#29), and Fairley’s stock has certainly gone down since he was drafted.

by Evan on Nov 13, 2008 8:01 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I have no idea where Rodriguez would go. Fairely’s stock has gone down but his upside still is large. I know there is also an age difference between them but I think it’s a comparison that’s not completely unfounded.

#1 JUDY STEFFES FAN
My favorite pie is (name of pie flavor)
Bay City Ball

by xanthan on Nov 14, 2008 5:10 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

No, it’s a good comparison — it’s just that we have a little more data to work with on Fairley, and what we have isn’t very good.

Anything we say about Rodriguez is speculative, but to my mind, the track record of big-bonus Latin prospects is solid enough to justify ranking him pretty high, probably #7.

Kevin Goldstein grapples a bit with this in his column on Reds prospects.

by Evan on Nov 14, 2008 6:59 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Kevin Goldstein grapples a bit with this in his column on Reds prospects.

Yeah, I was thinking about this yesterday when I read his Top-11 for the Reds. I think he stuck the Reds two newly acquired Latin prospects between 6-7. I think I could live with RafRod between 8-10 in the Giants system, just not #5 like OGC was pushing for. I think you’ve got to rank Noonan and Gillaspie in front of him and then it’s fair game.

Like I said, when I ranked the Giants Top-10, Pablo still qualified so that pushed Rodriguez back some, I don’t have a problem with him moving up.

No, it’s a good comparison — it’s just that we have a little more data to work with on Fairley, and what we have isn’t very good.

I disagree with you some on Fairley’s first pro AB’s being “not very good”. Everyone knew that Fairley was a project when he was signed, high on tools but very raw. I think we should have all expected him to do what he did in his first career 193 professional AB’s. He posted .725 OPS. Was anyone expecting more? He’s a project and the fact that he was healthy enough to get get some AB’s, is a good enough sign for me right now.

Next year will tell us much more about Fairley.

#1 JUDY STEFFES FAN
My favorite pie is (name of pie flavor)
Bay City Ball

by xanthan on Nov 14, 2008 7:09 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I think we should have all expected him to do what he did in his first career 193 professional AB’s. He posted .725 OPS. Was anyone expecting more? He’s a project and the fact that he was healthy enough to get get some AB’s, is a good enough sign for me right now.

Look closely at his numbers – the only thing that he was doing right was walking. He didn’t hit for average, didn’t hit for power, didn’t even steal bases. And his OBP – and OPS – were inflated a by a ridiculous 16 HBP’s. Had he only got hit by 8 pitches (still on pace for Biggio-esque numbers), his OBP would have been .353, and his OPS .690. For a 20 y-o in Rookie League, that’s just terrible.

Yes, he’s a project. So? It makes his numbers look less surprising, but not better. He’s got physical tools, but right now his chances of ever making an impact in the majors look, very, very small. I’d say he’s a C prospect, and #10 in our system behind the Fab Four, Noonan, Gillespie, Sosa, Kieschnick, and Ishikawa.

..so allow me to present Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain as two sweet, sweet bottles of warming hooch.

by Cookyman on Nov 14, 2008 8:07 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I know about the HBP’s but I still think you’re being a little harsh on Fairley. I’m not saying he’s going to be a star or even make it past A-ball.

He’s got physical tools, but right now his chances of ever making an impact in the majors look, very, very small.

It seems to me that you’re throwing out the ability for growth. Couldn’t you say that about 90% of 20-year-old prospects in baseball that don’t dominate right away? I’m not discounting anything he’s done — in a very brief time — on the field but to me, he’s like many high-upside players. The tools are there and whether not the performance follows is the question.

What I do have trouble doing is letting less than 200 AB’s tell me anything significant about a player. Especially a player like Fairley who’s raw and is coming of health problems.

I’m taking a wait-and-see approach with him.

#1 JUDY STEFFES FAN
My favorite pie is (name of pie flavor)
Bay City Ball

by xanthan on Nov 14, 2008 8:22 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Couldn’t you say that about 90% of 20-year-old prospects in baseball that don’t dominate right away?

I doubt that a significant amount of prospects hit poorly at the age of 20 in Rookie League, even if it were their first pro season.

I understand that he could grow – I still gave him a C. But when I look at the facts – 21 next year, never played above Rookie league – where he hit poorly, a hitting “project” in a system that’s terrible at developing hitters – I see a player who’s just an extreme longshot.

..so allow me to present Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain as two sweet, sweet bottles of warming hooch.

by Cookyman on Nov 14, 2008 11:10 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Very well said. Those are exactly my concerns with him, too.

Am I mad, in a coma, or back in time? Whatever's happened, it's like I've landed on a different planet. Now, maybe if I can work out the reason, I can get home.

by Lyle on Nov 15, 2008 11:51 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, number 10 sounds about right for me, he’s got very good upside, but also is a risk to reach his potential as he’s so much of an unknown. For what it’s worth, i agree, i’d rank Fairley around the same point, in fact, i have Rodriguez ranked as number 9 with Fairley at 10.

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by GiantFan on Nov 14, 2008 3:50 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Like I mentioned in the last thread. One’s opinion of Rodriguez is basically a reflection of their opinion on the Giant’s scouting. The only thing any of us know for sure about the kid is the Giants gave him enough money that I doubt they viewed him as anything less than a top 10 prospect in their system.

by mxmob33 on Nov 13, 2008 5:14 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

And it wasn’t just the Giants scouting him; plenty of other teams wanted to give him a bunch of money too.

by Evan on Nov 13, 2008 8:03 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Also

Reds reportedly offered him more money.

Adoptive parental unit of Kevin " 2007's Most Spectacular Pitcher" Pucetas.

"I'm a Giant now... I like watching the ball get up there" - Wendell Fairley
"I'm really proud to be on this team." - Nate Schierholtz
"Woo hoo" - Tim "The Kid" Lincecum

by obsessivegiantscompulsive on Nov 15, 2008 10:08 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I have never heard that.

My current Interwebs obsession is pretty awesome. Also, my website is called ChatterBalks Dot Com. It's not being updated right now. Hope for more at your own risk.

by groug on Nov 15, 2008 10:11 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Guess you missed it

It was reported at this really great blog site for Giants information and on their prospects, it is called Extra Baggs and written by Andy Baggarly, baseball writer par excellance: http://blogs.mercurynews.com/extrabaggs/2008/07/13/giants-give-25-million-birthday-present-to-rafael-rodriguez/. The rumor is in there.

Adoptive parental unit of Kevin " 2007's Most Spectacular Pitcher" Pucetas.

"I'm a Giant now... I like watching the ball get up there" - Wendell Fairley
"I'm really proud to be on this team." - Nate Schierholtz
"Woo hoo" - Tim "The Kid" Lincecum

by obsessivegiantscompulsive on Nov 17, 2008 3:12 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Evan Longoria also destroyed the Cape Cod League

It’s just one more data point, among a lot of data points, indicating that the prospect can transition from metal to wood bats, which is not a guarantee.

Hector Sanchez: really getting tired of playing baseball in foreign countries...

by tedfordfan on Nov 13, 2008 5:22 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

So don't mention Cape Cod

Unless you can give a stat that says X% of Cape Cod destroyers go on to have a good major league career.

Adoptive parental unit of Kevin " 2007's Most Spectacular Pitcher" Pucetas.

"I'm a Giant now... I like watching the ball get up there" - Wendell Fairley
"I'm really proud to be on this team." - Nate Schierholtz
"Woo hoo" - Tim "The Kid" Lincecum

by obsessivegiantscompulsive on Nov 15, 2008 10:42 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

It goes both ways

You point out Wily Mo Pena and then say that your guys “profile as solid major leaguers”. I don’t think I have to tell you that there has been plenty of players who “profile” as solid major leaguers who flop. Sergio Santos was suppose to be the future SS of the D-backs and he flopped majorly. Sean Burroughs was suppose to the next great hitter and couldn’t even outhit Neifi Perez nor have a longer career.

Frankly, all three have very little experience, thus potential is really all you can look at in comparison. Noonan did nicely in 2008 but not that great. There were 12 other under-20 year olds who had higher OPS than he did in 2008. In 2005, the two 19 year olds who hit close to what he hit (higher but the leader list didn’t go down as far in terms of OPS) were Brad Harman and Marcus Sanders (yes, that Marcus Sanders).

So please don’t lecture me about solid prospects, the two (Noonan and Gillaspie) are as uncertain in terms of making the majors as Rodriguez. The difference is that Rodriguez has enough physical credentials and scouting reports to say that he can be a star; neither Noonan or Gillaspie has that profile, unless you think Bill Mueller is a star. In terms of prospects, I would rather swing for the homerun than for the solid basehit, all other things being equal. And all three have not had enough professional experience to say that any of them are that much closer to the majors than the others.

And I didn’t pronounce him as the next potential star, I said that he has potential to be good, just like Noonan and Gillaspie has potential to be good too. I just think his potential is higher than those two based on what I’ve heard about him, he could even be a star, but I would not pronounce him the next potential star. Think of it this way: this is the same group of scouts that pronounced Villalona to be good enough to get a large bonus. And Villalona was ranked 3rd by Baseball America for the Giants before he played one inning of pro baseball. You might think they might know a thing or two about selecting hitters.

Adoptive parental unit of Kevin " 2007's Most Spectacular Pitcher" Pucetas.

"I'm a Giant now... I like watching the ball get up there" - Wendell Fairley
"I'm really proud to be on this team." - Nate Schierholtz
"Woo hoo" - Tim "The Kid" Lincecum

by obsessivegiantscompulsive on Nov 15, 2008 10:41 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

So please don’t lecture me about solid prospects, the two (Noonan and Gillaspie) are as uncertain in terms of making the majors as Rodriguez.

?

You truly believe that? In your opinion, Rodriguez and Noonan have the same odds of making the majors?

Think of it this way: this is the same group of scouts that pronounced Villalona to be good enough to get a large bonus. And Villalona was ranked 3rd by Baseball America for the Giants before he played one inning of pro baseball. You might think they might know a thing or two about selecting hitters.

It’s pretty clear no one thinks that Rodriguez is as good as Villalona. Right now he’s got great raw power, and that’s pretty much it. That’s cool, but he’s not the 5 star prospect Villalona was(is?).

..so allow me to present Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain as two sweet, sweet bottles of warming hooch.

by Cookyman on Nov 16, 2008 6:49 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Nothing about either suggests that they are that certain to make majors

Both were drafted in the early part of the supplemental first round draft. From my study of the draft, about 5% of those players ever become good players in the majors, maybe another 15-20% are useful players: the other 75%+ or so either makes the majors but isn’t good enough to last into their arbitration years, but mainly never make the majors except for maybe a cup of coffee or September call-up. And the way people are talking about Nooan, useful (i.e. Michael Tucker-like or average) is not what they are projecting, they expect a good player.

Noonan, while doing well for a 19 year old in A-ball, still has Advanced A, AA and AAA to master before making the majors. Many a “solid” prospect stumble when they get to AA or AAA. I would have more confidence in him making the majors if he had an OPS over 900 but his .730 only translate to an MLE of .516.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m still hopeful that he can make the majors and do well, but he still faces very long odds of making the majors from where he is and even if he makes it, right now he’s not looking good, .279/.315/.415/.730 is not that impressive, there is a dozen players 19 and under who did better than he did. Do you really think 13 hitters from A-ball will make the majors eventually and do well? It would be lucky to have more than a handful of prospects, period, let alone only the 19 year olds, do well in the majors.

In Gillaspie’s case, I don’t know as much about college stats, so perhaps I’m wrong there. But if he was that much of a sure thing as a hitter, a team would have took a chance on him much earlier, in the teens, even in spite of his initially unrealistic bonus demands, because good hitters don’t fall off the tree, there are maybe 3-5 “sure things” (and even they aren’t sure things, only pretty close things) in any draft for hitters. The vast majority of them have holes that never get fixed or fixed enough, and eventually they are exposed at higher levels.

And I’m not saying Rodriguez is any sure thing either. The odds are very long with him as well. I’m just saying that comparing any of them in terms of likeliness of making the majors is useless, as they are all pretty close to zero, close enough that it is splitting hairs to try to discuss which one of them will make the majors.

However, potential is something that can be discussed about each of them. Sure, Rodriguez doesn’t come with Villalona’s positives, but he’s a five tool guy and the Giants paid him a lot more than they paid Noonan or Gillaspie, in fact, more than both combined. If a team thought either was that good, they would have been among the Top 10 selected overall, not waited on until the early supplemental first round, and paid them that amount of money.

And Rodriguez has drawn comparisons with Vlad and Andres Galarraga, whereas Noonan is Utley without the power (and I admit Utley is OK without his power) and Gillaspie is Bill Mueller-like. Well, outside of power, Utley is hitting .300 basically in the majors and walk enough to boost his OBP to elite levels plus is a plus defender, that’s why he’s still good without his power. Noonan is doing none of that in A-ball, he is working on his hitting, taking walks, and defense, and with his average power, would need to hit for high batting average and get a lot of walks to be a OK, average secondbaseman. And Bill Mueller is nice but a complementary player, not a star, so neither will Gillaspie most probably. Rodriguez, at least, has the potential to be a star if he continues to develop, the others only have the potential to be decent major leaguers. And that is their potential, they are all pretty raw right now, too raw to draw any real comparisons, I believe.

But that my opinions and my thoughts, I know we can’t come to any conclusion here, I can only hope to change some people’s minds going forward or maybe somebody can convince me to change. But given how, to me, the only really valid comparisons is their potentials, I don’t see that happening.

Adoptive parental unit of Kevin " 2007's Most Spectacular Pitcher" Pucetas.

"I'm a Giant now... I like watching the ball get up there" - Wendell Fairley
"I'm really proud to be on this team." - Nate Schierholtz
"Woo hoo" - Tim "The Kid" Lincecum

by obsessivegiantscompulsive on Nov 17, 2008 11:01 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

.279/.315/.415/.730 is not that impressive, there is a dozen players 19 and under who did better than he did.

Who are they? How did you figure that out?

by Evan on Nov 17, 2008 12:22 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Very easy

Baseball-reference.com has a link to access the Giants minor league players and each player has a link to their league and every league has a link to a sortable leaders list which I then sorted by OPS. Since age is also provided, I just counted the prospects under age 20 (so that was a slip, it includes Villalona and 18 year olds, not just 19 year olds; but I consider them close enough in experience to group them together).

Adoptive parental unit of Kevin " 2007's Most Spectacular Pitcher" Pucetas.

"I'm a Giant now... I like watching the ball get up there" - Wendell Fairley
"I'm really proud to be on this team." - Nate Schierholtz
"Woo hoo" - Tim "The Kid" Lincecum

by obsessivegiantscompulsive on Nov 17, 2008 3:09 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Aha, nice trick, thanks. Baseball-reference is full of wonders.

I still think you’re underrating Noonan somewhat, in that unlike most of those hitters he plays a key defensive position, and he has a broad range of skills (not including plate discipline, unfortunately). That’s the type that tends to be underrated — think Randy Winn.

by Evan on Nov 17, 2008 5:32 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

And I’m not saying Rodriguez is any sure thing either. The odds are very long with him as well. I’m just saying that comparing any of them in terms of likeliness of making the majors is useless, as they are all pretty close to zero, close enough that it is splitting hairs to try to discuss which one of them will make the majors.

If their odds are so low that we shouldn’t even compare them, we might as well trade them for bullpen help. Seriously, though, I’m not getting you…If Noonan has a 10% chance of making the majors, and Rodriguez has a 5% chance, then what does it matter that there both not likely to make it? Noonan is still twice as likely as Rodriguez. And, with all due respect to your research, not all supplemental round picks are the same. Noonan and Gillespie are both considered to have a good chance of making the majors.

And Rodriguez has drawn comparisons with Vlad and Andres Galarraga, whereas Noonan is Utley without the power (and I admit Utley is OK without his power) and Gillaspie is Bill Mueller-like.

These comparisons are meaningless. Rodriguez has been compared to Vlad because he’s a Latin OF who has raw power; Noonan is Utley because he’s a white, athletic, LHH 2B; Smoak has been compared to Teixeira because he’s a switch hitting 1B, etc…

And it was Villalona who was compared (by Alou) to Galarraga, not Rodriguez.

..so allow me to present Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain as two sweet, sweet bottles of warming hooch.

by Cookyman on Nov 17, 2008 12:57 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Then I guess you were for Sabean...

skipping on the draft pick in order to sign Michael Tucker. Because that is what you are suggesting, if you didn’t realize it, by suggesting trading players with those low odds for players you need today.

And to be clear, I’m not for doing that, but given the circumstances, I understand why they did that and the consequences are relatively low that they lost out on any particular good players. I don’t villify the Giants for making that decision, though I did suggest since the Maddux pursuit that this is a good reason why Magowan should step aside for someone who either has more money or can bring in more investors.

Yes, not all supplemental picks are the same, but what you are claiming is that you are able to detected who among the picks are the ones most likely to make the majors when nobody in the majors appear to have that ability at the moment. Perhaps you want to rethink that statement.

I never said Rodriguez is only 5%. I did say that about Noonan and Gillaspie. Being able to find that one player out of 20 who actually makes it is luck, not skill, or it would be really obvious in the draft when one team consistently find that one player. I didn’t notice such a pattern. I’ve seen the sorry draft picks every team makes in the 31-50 overall draft pick range, and I assume you haven’t. Teams have been pretty bad at finding good players in that range.

If anything, I would put Rodriguez’s chances at more like 20-30%. $2.5M is about what teams have been giving their Top 10 draft picks, the odds are about in that range for picks 5-8, which is about where prospects get $2.5M in bonuses. But I knew people would snort at that, so I didn’t lead with that. Still, if you assume standard economic assumptions about the behavior of buyers, they are not going to bid much more (or less) than what they would normally have to pay in the amateur draft, for equally unproven but similarly skilled prospects.

If that is the best you can do, correct me about Galarraga (Baggarly noted someone compared him with Vlad Guerrero and Baseball America noted that someone saw Dave Winfield), then I’ll take that. Besides, Galarraga is not Hall of Fame material, which Vlad and Winfield are.

It’s not just physical comparisons, players are selected both for the physical and what that scout envisions the player becoming because, unless they are idiots, they must realize what the impression they give by throwing out names. I’m sure there have been plenty of players that physically matched Noonan, Gillaspie, Smoak, but did not perform as well. They are projecting what they could become if they develop.

Here is what John Barr said about Rodriguez: “He’s a five-tool player with the makeup and work ethic to fulfill his ability.” You can’t really top that for potential. Another site I read listed him as a 70 out of 80 for speed and power. The main problem is whether he can hit or not. I’ve seen numerous complaints about his stance and mechanics, but even those admit that he has great bat speed. Mechanics can be fixed, but you can’t create great bat speed, great running speed, or great power.

So it’s fine if you think otherwise, but this is my opinion on why I think Rodriguez should rank above Noonan and Gillaspie. It obviously hasn’t changed many opinions and I’m fine with that, but I will argue my case, because I think I’m correct based on the facts that I know.

Adoptive parental unit of Kevin " 2007's Most Spectacular Pitcher" Pucetas.

"I'm a Giant now... I like watching the ball get up there" - Wendell Fairley
"I'm really proud to be on this team." - Nate Schierholtz
"Woo hoo" - Tim "The Kid" Lincecum

by obsessivegiantscompulsive on Nov 17, 2008 4:25 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

jumping in on a couple of points here…

Yes, not all supplemental picks are the same, but what you are claiming is that you are able to detected who among the picks are the ones most likely to make the majors when nobody in the majors appear to have that ability at the moment.

But of course there’s a big difference between a supplemental pick and a supplemental pick who has done well since he got drafted. That’s why the ranking goes Noonan > Rodriguez > Fairley.

If anything, I would put Rodriguez’s chances at more like 20-30%. $2.5M is about what teams have been giving their Top 10 draft picks, the odds are about in that range for picks 5-8, which is about where prospects get $2.5M in bonuses.

But the economics are different. Latin prospects are free agents, whereas draftees can only negotiate with one team. It stands to reason that they’re going to have higher bonuses relative to their actual value.

I’m sure that someone somewhere has done a study of the success rates for elite Latin prospects, but I’ve never such a thing. Does a prospect like RRod have a 10 percent chance of becoming Vlad Guerrero and a 90 percent chance of becoming Jackson Melian, or is it more like 2 percent vs. 98 percent? Makes a huge difference in how we appraise him.

by Evan on Nov 17, 2008 5:51 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Then I guess you were for Sabean skipping on the draft pick in order to sign Michael Tucker. Because that is what you are suggesting, if you didn’t realize it, by suggesting trading players with those low odds for players you need today.

No I was being sarcastic. I’m am aware that their odds of making the majors are small. But you were making it sound as if their odds of making the majors are so microscopic that it’s foolish claim one has higher odds than the other (you called it “splitting hairs”), and to that, I disagree.

Yes, not all supplemental picks are the same, but what you are claiming is that you are able to detected who among the picks are the ones most likely to make the majors when nobody in the majors appear to have that ability at the moment. Perhaps you want to rethink that statement.

What statement? Do you actually object to the claim that it’s possible to consider one supplemental round pick more likely to reach the majors than another? Do you think that Jackson Williams and Brett Cecil (two supplemental round picks from 2007) have the same odds of making the majors?

$2.5M is about what teams have been giving their Top 10 draft picks, the odds are about in that range for picks 5-8, which is about where prospects get $2.5M in bonuses. But I knew people would snort at that, so I didn’t lead with that. Still, if you assume standard economic assumptions about the behavior of buyers, they are not going to bid much more (or less) than what they would normally have to pay in the amateur draft, for equally unproven but similarly skilled prospects.

Like Even said, this is just fundamentally wrong. 30 teams were allowed to talk to Rodriguez. Only one was allowed to talk to Gordon Beckham. Not to mention that the problem in the draft is finding good talent, not paying for it. Had the Giants not signed Rodriguez, they couldn’t just draft another “equally unproven but similarly skilled prospect” – they only get one first round pick.

..so allow me to present Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain as two sweet, sweet bottles of warming hooch.

by Cookyman on Nov 18, 2008 7:31 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

When do the polls close?

by wilriv21 on Nov 13, 2008 10:28 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Gillaspie making a comeback now. This race keeps reminding me of this for some reason. I’m going to get NICK tattooed on the knuckles of one hand and CONOR on the other and let the two fight it out.

by Evan on Nov 14, 2008 4:12 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Urgh, it’s tied again now! This vote should have been called up whilst there was a bit of a lead, although as someone who chose Noonan, i would say that!

Proud owner of the most boring Username! Alex Hinshaw: Now showing in a bullpen near you!

by GiantFan on Nov 14, 2008 4:35 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I think we can safely declare them 5a and 5b and move on.

by Evan on Nov 14, 2008 5:06 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

You've gotta be shittin me..

172-172.

The Basil Fawlty Moderating Strategy:
"We could run a nice blog here if we didn't have all these members getting in the way."

by WalrusMan on Nov 14, 2008 5:10 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

I suspect ballot stuffing

Are there actually 344 distinct posters that regularly participate in our site? I mean, other than “NotGrant” or “NotGroug.”

Am I mad, in a coma, or back in time? Whatever's happened, it's like I've landed on a different planet. Now, maybe if I can work out the reason, I can get home.

by Lyle on Nov 14, 2008 5:53 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

NotGroug

Never made it to McC 2.0.

..so allow me to present Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain as two sweet, sweet bottles of warming hooch.

by Cookyman on Nov 14, 2008 6:04 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

The #1 prospect thread had 364 votes.

by Evan on Nov 14, 2008 7:03 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Ah

I voted for Villalona, then didn’t check back. Amazing.

Am I mad, in a coma, or back in time? Whatever's happened, it's like I've landed on a different planet. Now, maybe if I can work out the reason, I can get home.

by Lyle on Nov 14, 2008 8:49 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I’m sure there are a lot of lurkers.

Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.
PABLO SANDOVAL AM STEAL DEATH, DESTROYER OF WORLDS.

by jponry on Nov 14, 2008 7:53 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Hi, I'm a lurker

by dogdays on Nov 14, 2008 9:27 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Yep, lurkers. My wife and I both voted for Noonan, and we’re both lurkers, for all intents and purpose.

I'm as tall as Mel - why can't I hit 500 home runs?

by Ott on Nov 14, 2008 1:54 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

yay lurkers!

by DividedByZero on Nov 14, 2008 2:09 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Did both NotGrant and Not Grant Pretending To Be Someone Else make their voices heard?

My current Interwebs obsession is pretty awesome. Also, my website is called ChatterBalks Dot Com. It's not being updated right now. Hope for more at your own risk.

by groug on Nov 14, 2008 11:51 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

173-173

Castillo got the DFA. Guestimate for Castillo DFA to come before the 2009 season = 2.

by kennv on Nov 14, 2008 6:11 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

174-174

Adopted Giant: Aaron King

Wearing the crown by 2011. Or at least the LOOGY hat

by baetown415 on Nov 14, 2008 7:42 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

175-175?

Now you guys are just messing around. Let’s just give number 5 to Conor and move along, yes?

by chilibean_3 on Nov 14, 2008 8:45 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

The suspense is killing me!

#1 JUDY STEFFES FAN
My favorite pie is (name of pie flavor)
Bay City Ball

by xanthan on Nov 14, 2008 8:46 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

YES!

Next up, number 7.

Am I mad, in a coma, or back in time? Whatever's happened, it's like I've landed on a different planet. Now, maybe if I can work out the reason, I can get home.

by Lyle on Nov 14, 2008 8:50 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

let's vote to see who's 5a and 5b.

Bonds stands alone.

Proud adopted parent of future big league slugger Thomas Neal

by nostocksjustbonds on Nov 14, 2008 9:57 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Conor is leading. Quick, lock the thread!!

by Lars The Wanderer on Nov 14, 2008 9:59 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

He’s up by two!

#1 JUDY STEFFES FAN
My favorite pie is (name of pie flavor)
Bay City Ball

by xanthan on Nov 14, 2008 10:13 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

What % of precincts are reporting?

I swear if Florida screws this election up I’m gonna be pissed

Giants! Giants! HELP US GOD!

by j14 on Nov 14, 2008 10:17 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

I went to bed with Noonan comfortably ahead....

…now I come back and see Gillaspie has pulled into the lead. VOTE FRAUD!!!

Where’s the US Supreme Court when you really need them?

Scott McClain: Great story, no place on the 2009 Giants.

by EliminateMe on Nov 14, 2008 10:25 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

I’m tempted to use my fake poster account to help Noonan overcome this grave injustice! But he’s down by two and I only have one fake user. OH THE HUMANITY.

Never has a poster been more correct in the history of the internet. Ever! - ResDog on yours truly

by jcb9 on Nov 14, 2008 10:39 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I’d use my fake poster account to help Noonan, too, but he prefers Conor, so argue as I might, he’d probably just dig in his heels and create his own fake poster account just to help Conor.

Bonds stands alone.

Proud adopted parent of future big league slugger Thomas Neal

by nostocksjustbonds on Nov 14, 2008 10:51 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

you went to bed

with Noonan, dang he is young, there may be laws about that. Where is the Supreme Court when you need them? comfortably ahead? I am so happy for you and Nick

adopter/sponsor of "Go, Antoan" Richardson

by foothillsfan on Nov 14, 2008 12:07 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs