Brian Bocock Optioned to AAA

by WalrusMan on May 10, 2008 4:25 AM PDT

So there's your answer. I don't have time to find any more proof on this, but it is listed on the Transactions page on the Giants webpage. I still hoped it would be Velez. After yesterday's game I was sick and tired of his shortcomings.

::tries to force post with under word limit:: Can't I have that power? What if I don't want to make it 75 words long? I should just post this as a main page story, that way I don't have to make the limit like this. Have I made it? Good.

This FanPost is reader-generated, and it does not necessarily reflect the views of McCovey Chronicles. If the author uses filler to achieve the minimum word requirement, a moderator may edit the FanPost for his or her own amusement.

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Burriss suddenly has a pretty decent looking hitting line at .286/.333/.357. I’d be pretty psyched if Omar could manage that, tbh.

I don’t know what Velez did yesterday though. He does suck, of course.

Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.

by jponry on May 10, 2008 5:38 AM PDT 0 recs

Manny

Velez probably won’t quite match Manny’s .286/.333/.357 line after last night’s game, but sadly Manny isn’t likely to match it over the full season, either.

by sharksrog on May 10, 2008 5:05 PM PDT up 0 recs

well, it’s Vizquel I’m hoping can reach that line, not Velez. :)

Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.

by jponry on May 10, 2008 5:39 PM PDT up 0 recs

Yes.

My bad. I knew you meant Vizquel, but I posted Velez instead. I’m surprised I didn’t post Valdez. Than goodness the Giants got rid of Vizcaino! :)

by sharksrog on May 11, 2008 2:51 PM PDT up 0 recs

I’m disappointed in Velez’ start, but you simply can’t play Burriss or Bocock over there at second base. They don’t hit well enough to be second baseman. I will weigh 400 pounds by the end of the season if they play second, because everytime I hear “Bocock, Burriss and the pitcher” due up this inning I will be in the kitchen making a sandwich. Give Velez a full shot at being a major league second baseman this year, and if he fails you welcome back Kevin Frandsen with open arms in 2009. Jose Castillo can back everyone up.

Brian Sabean's new dad: Firm believer in corporal punishment

by rxmeister on May 10, 2008 6:09 AM PDT 0 recs

we already have a utility infielder

his name is rich aurilia. castillo is total crap and needs to be DFA’d. aurilia can play third, and ortmeier can take his 1B AB’s.

Bengie Molina: stretching doubles into singles since 1998.

by jasomack on May 10, 2008 10:40 AM PDT up 0 recs

Castillo

Despite his four hits today, you are correct that Jose Castillo isn’t very good. But at least he is under 30, so he (sort of) fits in with the Giants’ youth movement. Really though, do you EVER rermember a team having infielders this bad? I’m sure it has happened, but no situation springs immediately to mind.

by sharksrog on May 10, 2008 5:09 PM PDT up 0 recs

Some of the late 70's Padres.

That said we migth very “pass” them this year.

" Their still Shitty" - Major Leagues the movie.
I am a Giants fan. Thus I enjoy my pain. Currently enjoying it more then usual.

by daveinexile on May 12, 2008 10:16 AM PDT up 0 recs

I think zenbitz

posted something about it. I think there were like three infields in the history of the ballgame that looked even worse than this one.

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

by Cookyman on May 12, 2008 11:14 AM PDT up 0 recs

This is the link to check:
http://www.baseball-reference.com/pi/bsplit.cgi?team=SFG&year=2008

By Defensive Position… as infield. sOPS+ 79. The “record” is the 1995 Cards with 66.
79 is about 24th worst ever. The 85 Giants and 07 Giants had 80 and 81, respectively.

Really, it’s Joe Castles yeoman like .750 OPS which is keeping this squad out of the low 70s.

FIRE BRIAN SABEAN

by zenbitz on May 12, 2008 12:17 PM PDT up 0 recs

oh, and apparently Molina counts as IF by this stat as well… that and the deflation (demotion) of Bocock probably means we can cruise home with an OPS+ in 80s for the infield.

FIRE BRIAN SABEAN

by zenbitz on May 12, 2008 12:21 PM PDT up 0 recs

total crap?

by slojoe on May 10, 2008 6:05 PM PDT up 0 recs

totally useless, crappy player.

he probably pees on his hands, too.

Bengie Molina: stretching doubles into singles since 1998.

by jasomack on May 10, 2008 8:29 PM PDT up 0 recs

Not that there's anything wrong with that.

I have set Dave Roberts free; if he comes back, it was meant to be.

by hometownboy on May 11, 2008 12:21 AM PDT up 0 recs

its gross

by Azmanz on May 11, 2008 5:25 PM PDT up 0 recs

Velex doesn’t hit well enough to be a second baseman either. That’s not really an argument against Burriss.

If you like things that are funny, perhaps you will enjoy ChatterBalks Dot Com?

by groug on May 10, 2008 12:05 PM PDT up 0 recs

Is

Is this guy Velex really just Eugenio Velez wearing a Rolex?

by sharksrog on May 10, 2008 5:09 PM PDT up 0 recs

That's another problem!

He should know better than to wear watches in the field.

If you like things that are funny, perhaps you will enjoy ChatterBalks Dot Com?

by groug on May 10, 2008 10:34 PM PDT up 0 recs

Kevin

At least since Manny Burriss failed at San Jose last season, Kevin Frandsen has appeared to be the best of the Giants’ young infielders. He’s a good kid, and it’s too bad he got hurt this spring. If not, he would almost certainly be getting some at bats.

I’m not too big on Kevin, but I DO believe he has a better shot than Bocock, Burriss or Velez. Assuming he’s healthy when he returns, of course.

by sharksrog on May 10, 2008 5:07 PM PDT up 0 recs

Frandsen

probably nothing more than a punch and judy hitter…...

looks like the critics of the Giants’ farm system were right all along….no hitters

by slojoe on May 10, 2008 6:07 PM PDT up 0 recs

Critics

In order to figure out that the Giants’ farm system was bereft of hitters, one needs to have all the acumen of third grader.

by sharksrog on May 11, 2008 2:57 PM PDT up 0 recs

Are You Smarter Than a Third Grader?

I’ll take second grade minor league scouting, Jeff.

My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.

by howtheyscored on May 11, 2008 4:18 PM PDT up 0 recs

well i had hopes for Linden, Niekro….all the critics+scouts said no way…...and looks like they were right….i had some hope for Frandsen, just not anymore after the rest of the flops…..
now ill believe it when i see it….....

by slojoe on May 11, 2008 11:47 PM PDT up 0 recs

RxMeister

Make all the sandwiches you want – haven’t you heard that PhenFen is on it’s way back?

Your 2011 SF Giants: the 2008 Augusta Greenjackets!

by Lyle on May 10, 2008 6:15 PM PDT up 0 recs

I actually think Burriss is a better hitter than both Velez and Bocock, obviously, he doesn’t have much power at all, but he makes good contact at a much higher rate than Bocock, and maybe on par with or better than Velez. They’ve got equal speed, but from what I’ve seen, Burriss’s defense is way better.

by i wish we were good on May 10, 2008 8:55 AM PDT 0 recs

I presume

I presume you mean that Manny’s defense is better than Eugenio’s, not Brian’s.

by sharksrog on May 10, 2008 5:10 PM PDT up 0 recs

Boy you’re going to look stupid when we’re good.

Just, ummm… infinity more years to go!

My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.

by howtheyscored on May 10, 2008 11:18 PM PDT up 0 recs

I think

Manny looks like a major leaguer. He definitely has the chops to play in the show. He can hit MUCH better than Bocock and I think has better plate discipline than Velez. Furthermore, that play he made in the hole last night on Pedro was amazing. That is a major league arm.

Someone get Damon Minor's agent on the phone stat!

by fanofvanlandingham on May 10, 2008 9:53 AM PDT 0 recs

I think

I think you might be overrating Manny Burrriss’s hitting. While I agree he is closer to the majors than Brian Bocock, I don’t think Manny is anywhere near ready, either. I’m wondering if Manny should bat right-handed all the time, despite his speed from the left side, a la Dan Ortmeier?

by sharksrog on May 10, 2008 5:12 PM PDT up 0 recs

Hitting: 1. Velez - speed, some pop, quick bat… will be an offensive force, though not a homerun hitter. 2. Burriss - speed, no pop, may have worst left handed swing in the majors; righthanded, his everything to the right side. 3. Bocock—speed, no pop, little confidence at plate … good move sending him down.

by grizzled on May 10, 2008 9:53 AM PDT 0 recs

Burris swing isn't that bad

I’ve seen a few worse swings int the bigs this year. He has zero power, but that does not mean he can’t be an effective 2 hole or 8 hole hitter. He has good plate disipline, and handles the bat very well. I think his bunting is the best on the team, and he is an excellent base stealer.

Bocock, however, does have one of the longest swings I’ve ever seen. He needs a lot of help with the bat, and I hope that playing every day in Fresno can help him. He needs to cut out at least 3/4 of his swing to get to where he should be.

Velez has been frustrating, however I’m willing to give him a bit more time. I know Krukow was all over him for not throwing to 1B, but to me it looked as though he ws flat foote the whole time. I think if (gulp) Durham is playing 2nd, than there is a legit play at the plate.

by tyrannoman on May 10, 2008 10:23 AM PDT up 0 recs

Grizzled

Grizzled, I would agree with your ranking.

by sharksrog on May 10, 2008 5:14 PM PDT up 0 recs

Pleased with this, for obvious reasons. Plus can Bocock really be disappointed since he’s skipping AA altogether? I like Burriss staying because he can back up at second and short.

"While conservatives tell you 'leave things alone and no one will lose,' and liberals tell you 'interfere a lot and no one will lose,' baseball says 'someone will lose.' Not only says it - but insists upon it! ... Democracy is lovely, but baseball's more mature." BVCE supports SF Dugout and Manny Burriss.

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on May 10, 2008 11:18 AM PDT 0 recs

neither belonged in bigs...

Manny couldnt even hit at hi-A last year….im not sure the logic of either of them in SF…...i would just as soon Ochoa had the chance orthe other AAA SS they had last year….

by slojoe on May 10, 2008 6:12 PM PDT up 0 recs

Interesting that they sent him to Fresno rather than CT...

...I wonder if it’s partly motivated by wanting to keep him close by, in case they need to call him back up again.

All-Father Watch: 1.40 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, 18 Ks in 19 1/3 IP

by EliminateMe on May 10, 2008 11:29 AM PDT 0 recs

As Bocock's adopted father . . .

I heartily endorse this.I feel like my kid got skipped a grade, only to struggle in his classes and get picked on by the bigger kids.

The cock needs to get himself straight mentally, and try to master getting on base vs AAA pitchers.

Perhaps we’ll see him next year, Perhaps Burriss is going to play his way into the starting SS. I’m happy either way.

you can't block the Bocock

by oldjacket on May 10, 2008 12:24 PM PDT 0 recs

As the adopted mother of Bocock’s BFF Burriss, I can say your son is always welcome at our place for Teddy Grahams and juice. And maybe some Wii.

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on May 10, 2008 1:43 PM PDT up 0 recs

CHILD MOLESTER!

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 May 10, 2008 2:31 PM PDT up 0 recs

Skipped

Brian skipped at least one “grade” in getting to stay up in the majors, and quite possibly two. Keep in mind that Brian didn’t master High A as a hitter.

by sharksrog on May 10, 2008 5:16 PM PDT up 0 recs

neither did Burriss

by slojoe on May 10, 2008 6:13 PM PDT up 0 recs

Maybe I’m no good at this adopted parent thing, but I don’t harbor any delusions about Bocock’s hitting abilities as exemplified so far.

Me and Randy Messenger’s adopted dad should get together and form an ambivalent parent support group.

you can't block the Bocock

by oldjacket on May 10, 2008 7:36 PM PDT up 0 recs

i will not be joining this group. my son is the greatest. 4-4!!!! Did you all see!!! 4forfucking4!!! WOOO!

Adopted papa of a bouncing new waiver wire 27 year old. Castillo hits doubles.

by kennv on May 10, 2008 8:12 PM PDT up 0 recs

Oh yeah I know Manny shouldn’t be in the bigs but he’s my silly pie in the sky irrational hope. As moms do for their sons.

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on May 10, 2008 9:07 PM PDT up 0 recs

Teddy Grahams!

you can't block the Bocock

by oldjacket on May 10, 2008 7:37 PM PDT up 0 recs

i love me some teddy grahams

feel free to send some to my current forward-deployed location in southwest asia.

i bite off the legs.

Bengie Molina: stretching doubles into singles since 1998.

by jasomack on May 10, 2008 8:54 PM PDT up 0 recs

Cinnamon ones are the best.

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on May 10, 2008 9:08 PM PDT up 0 recs

mmm... cinnamony legs

Bengie Molina: stretching doubles into singles since 1998.

by jasomack on May 10, 2008 9:37 PM PDT up 0 recs

this is a depressing thread.

Adopted papa of a bouncing new waiver wire 27 year old. Castillo hits doubles.

by kennv on May 10, 2008 7:36 PM PDT 0 recs

Boo

What’s lost in all of this is it is now confirmed that the Giants do not care about ruining bocock’s development. He needs to regain his confidence and the best place to do that is going back down to A ball. If Bocock were to go down and hit .300 for a month and a half or so, then maybe his defensive skills propel him to AAA, but I doubt AAA will help his development much more than splitting time with burris did. This move just confirms that the Giants are content with ruining him and using his good defensive skills in case vizquel or burris gets hurt.

Todd Jennings: Next up on the Non-prospect Backup Catcher Train. Next Stop: The Pine at AT&T Park

by Speedforthewin on May 10, 2008 10:50 PM PDT 0 recs

Perhaps

The people making decisions know more about him than we do. Maybe they see something we don’t. Otherwise, the way they’ve handled Bocock is definitely puzzling at best.

¿Julio is tourist in San Francisco? Harper's Bizarre!

by hairball on May 10, 2008 11:34 PM PDT up 0 recs

Bocock

He knows how take a walk at least, now he just needs go to Fresno and learn how to hit.

formerly April3rdLifeBegins

by YaSquare on May 11, 2008 3:50 AM PDT 0 recs

I think it's more..

Bocock knows how to stand up there and do nothing. When pitchers were wild he got a walk, when they werent and he got two strikes, he’d swing and get a hit maybe 10% of the time.

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 May 11, 2008 8:58 AM PDT up 0 recs

also think that part of it was that he was batting 8th

Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.

by jponry on May 11, 2008 9:38 AM PDT up 0 recs

Good call

Very nice call on Brian, Walrus Man. Brian was so overwhelmed that he sometimes couldn’t get off a swing.

It will be interesting to see how Manny Burriss hits. I think he is almost as overwhelmed as Brian, but he has cut down on his swing in order to make contact. That is a better approach, but I don’t expect big dividends.

Manny looks like a much better right-handed hitter than lefty swinger. I wonder if he should pull a Dan Ortmeier and give up switch hitting.

by sharksrog on May 11, 2008 3:03 PM PDT up 0 recs

Midnight Train to Georgia

He hasn’t mastered any hitting at any level. Sending him to Fresno is nuts, although at least they sent him back down. I don’t think he is going to learn to hit in SF or Fresno any more than I can become a brain surgeon by performing an operation in the next five minutes. He was way over his head.

by natteringnabob on May 11, 2008 1:56 PM PDT 0 recs

Burriss

Burriss looked like this even back in Spring Training, with speed at bat and range at short. I really don’t know why they waited so long to give him a shot.

by Fresburg on May 11, 2008 5:09 PM PDT 0 recs

Bocock

I think its quite possible Bocock’s MLB career is over, and that would make for a very strange ML career. The only possible way he makes it back is as a good glove, no hit backup middle infielder as an injury replacement. His presence here will always baffle me.

by out machine on May 12, 2008 11:00 AM PDT 0 recs