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Giants seeking top-tier talent at No. 5 draft pick

Lucy-liu_tiny by wilriv21 on

"Eight or nine guys in the mix"

 

The scoop: John Barr, the Giants' special assistant to the general manager who's in charge of scouting, is both certain and unsure about the club's status with its first-round pick. Citing the lack of a consensus over the likely top draftees, Barr said, "the four teams in front of us don't know who they're going to get." Hence, neither does San Francisco. He said, noting that the Giants have "eight or nine guys in the mix" who they're considering at No. 5.

First-round buzz: Given San Francisco's lack of thump at the Major League level at the infield corners, fans have clamored for the Giants to select a first or third baseman, such as Vanderbilt's Pedro Alvarez, South Carolina's Justin Smoak or Arizona State's Brett Wallace. If the four teams ahead of the Giants deplete the pool of attractive position players, they could lean toward selecting a pitcher.

Shopping list: The Giants have tried to replenish their farm system with the last two drafts, although the bulk of their more attractive prospects remain in the lower Minors. Third base could be an area of need, especially if 17-year-old prospect Angel Villalona settles at first base instead of third. The outfield could use some restocking. And catching remains a priority, even though they drafted Jackson Williams 43rd overall last year.


Which eight or nine guys are the SF Giants considering at No.5?

Here is my list:

  1. Pedro Alvarez  3b
  2. Brian Matusz LHP
  3. Tim Beckham SS
  4. Aaron Crow RHP
  5. Justin Smoak 1b
  6. Eric Hosmer 1b
  7. Tanner Scheppers RHP
  8. Yonder Alonso
  9. Buster Posey C

Blend of hiters, pitchers, mostly college players with a dash of some high school kids.

 

 

 

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What's the point

in looking at “eight or nine” guys when you pick at #5? Just rate your top 5 prospects and pick the highest one available.

by Viliphied on May 9, 2008 2:22 PM PDT reply reply   0 recs

Because players get hurt or have unexpected bonus demands that aren’t clear until the very end, so you may have to look at a dozen players to whittle ‘em down to a Top 5.

by Dan from NM on May 9, 2008 2:24 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

maybe they don't know who #5 is

or its basically a tie.

Bonds stands alone.

Proud adopted parent of future big league slugger Thomas Neal

by nostocksjustbonds on May 9, 2008 8:37 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

From link in post: Barr mentions thoroughness

Barr and other Giants scouting officials have strove for thoroughness. Not only have they watched prospects perform in person and on videotapes, but they’ve also interviewed many personally and have even consulted some psychological profiles.

“There are a lot of steps leading up to this selection,” Barr said.

by wilriv21 on May 9, 2008 2:29 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Because you might have to look at 8-9 guys to get your top 5 pitchers.

FIRE BRIAN SABEAN

by zenbitz on May 9, 2008 2:40 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

ZING!

"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 May 9, 2008 2:46 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Organizational Philosophy

It is going to be interesting to see how the SF draft plays out now that Barr, Schueler and Creech are on board. Does SF go back to the well and draft pitching or does the influence of Barr & Co persuade the Giants to concentrate on hitting.

by wilriv21 on May 9, 2008 3:05 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

A subject near and dear to my heart

I’ll go with

Pedro Alvarez
Tim Beckham
Justin Smoak
Buster Posey
Gordon Beckham
Eric Hosmer
Kyle Skipworth

I’m not sure where to fit in the pitchers, Aaron Crowe and Brian Matusz, but I probably wouldn’t argue if the Giants took one of them. As for the hitters, I’m not that picky about the order. I’d be happy with anybody mentioned above.

I’m pretty much a “best player available” guy, so if you plan to argue that the team should pass over somebody because of Noonan or Villilona or whatever, I’m not going to be convinced.

by Dan from NM on May 9, 2008 2:23 PM PDT reply reply   0 recs

I want the team to go with Smoak but truth be told there’s almost no way they can go wrong here. Unless they pick some nothing guy nobody’s ever heard of at #5. Welcome to my nightmares.

"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 9, 2008 2:26 PM PDT reply reply   0 recs

Before the 2006 draft...

Not many people were thinking Lincecum would go at #10. That didn’t turn out that badly. Then again, I don’t think I want to not hear of our #5 pick either.

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by WalrusMan on May 9, 2008 3:59 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

ummm...

dude. Lincecum was supposed to go earlier than 10

Flossing a dead horse

by kenshin1 on May 9, 2008 4:06 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

.....

That moment of thought was spent wondering whether to keep on looking like an idiot, or to delete both of our posts. Now I’ll have to think more about deleting all three.

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by WalrusMan on May 9, 2008 4:17 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Four!

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

by groug on May 9, 2008 10:07 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Damn you groug!

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by WalrusMan on May 10, 2008 2:19 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Ya, I was hearing Kyle Drabek in the days before the 2006 draft. I think we won there.

"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 9:12 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

I would love to see the Giants select Smoak as well...

But I have this uneasy feeling he will be gone by then. He is finishing up the college season incredibly hot and has quieted some of his detractors who thought he would not be able to hit for a high average.
But you are right in saying that there is almost no way they can go wrong. If they want an impact bat, they can get one, even if the four teams ahead of them select hitters. In a worst case scenario, if the teams picking 1-4 select the hitters in the order listed by Dan from NM above I think the Giants should pop for Hosmer despite the Boras price tag. He has a very advanced bat for a high schooler and most power potential of the remaining hitters. He is young enough that we might even have him try playing some LF… he’ll have a few years to work on his fielding. I would not be disappointed if they picked Skipworth either, especially if their scouts are pretty certain he can stick at catcher.
I understand your nightmares… Giants fans have actually lived them in the past when the Giants literally blew off the draft in the height of the Barry Bonds Era. I am pretty certain that the Giants are now much more serious about the draft, and all the restructuring of their scouting system seems to reflect that.

by baseballjunkie on May 10, 2008 7:18 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

honestly between the hamate injury and the Boras salary demands I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see Pedro there at 5. And if he is I think they have to take him and have to pay him.

My boy ain't fat, he's just big boned. Big bat, too.

by Roger on May 9, 2008 2:31 PM PDT reply reply   0 recs

3B

I’ve heard differing opinions on whether Wallace can stay at 3B. Keith Law thinks he can, Jim Callis thinks not.

He’d be an OK pick if he could stick at 3B – nice blend of power and patience.

From the milb.com coverage of the draft:

“Drawing rave reviews for his work in the box, he’s one of the best hitters in college and perhaps in the entire Draft class. His unbelievable plate discipline will undoubtedly be attractive to some teams, though it’s unlikely he’ll play anything but first as a pro. He could be the kind of Major Leaguer who hits .300 with 25 homers and a high OBP annually.”

Me likes .300 and 25, especially if it comes with OBP of .400.

I haven’t really heard what chances Alvarez has of sticking at 3B. Anybody have a clue?

by aGIANTfan on May 9, 2008 2:32 PM PDT reply reply   0 recs

Mixed

Alvarez is considered a much better third basemen than Wallace, but they both have questions about whether they’ll stay there. I suspect different teams have different opinions.

by Dan from NM on May 9, 2008 2:39 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

This is honestly the first time...

...I’ve seen anyone say Alvarez won’t stay at third.

I guess no one’s ever a true lock for anything, but everything I’d heard was that Alvarez had the arm, hands and range for the hot corner.

SFDugout.com is BACK! See the Top 50 Giants Prospects!

by BruteSentiment on May 10, 2008 2:08 AM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Well, I wouldn’t want to overstate the concerns about his defense. It sounds like he’ll stay at third, but I don’t think that’s a unanimous assessment.

by Dan from NM on May 10, 2008 2:30 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

are the beckhams brothers?

that would suck for gordon if his little bro is drafted before him

by Azmanz on May 9, 2008 3:17 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

No

No more than Frank and Brooks Robinson were brothers

by wilriv21 on May 9, 2008 3:18 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

ahh

just a coincidence they are SS from georgia?

by Azmanz on May 9, 2008 3:20 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Tim is black, Gordon is white.

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

by jponry on May 9, 2008 4:39 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Brother from another mother?

SAVE_US.RAY
Nattowear: now featuring new crap!

by Natto on May 9, 2008 4:45 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Wallace will most likely outgrow third base, if he hasn’t already.

I’d like to think Alvarez could stick at third for a good part of his career. His defense is good enough for now.

Proud adoptive parent of Tim Alderson.

by Anticon23 on May 9, 2008 3:30 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Smoak is the next Lance Berkman

Grab him.

Flaxseed oil dependent

by 3Com Park on May 9, 2008 3:06 PM PDT reply reply   0 recs

I read that too and it made me kinda giddy to think we might be able to get a guy like that…

by WTF on May 9, 2008 3:23 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Dude

Lance Berkman is perennial fantasy league gold.

My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.

by howtheyscored on May 9, 2008 3:40 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

As someone who was hoping for Kyle Drabek or Chris Parmalee in the 2006 Draft, I recuse myself from the conversation.

I didn’t think Lincecum would fall, but still….

by Grant on May 9, 2008 3:11 PM PDT reply reply   0 recs

Well that's good to know

I assumed that Sabes & Co. would be looking for mid- to low-tier talent @ #5.

Billy Hayes: Nine more big-league plate appearances than you.

by delorean on May 9, 2008 3:20 PM PDT reply reply   0 recs

it happens

Signability picks. Blech.

you can't block the Bocock

by oldjacket on May 9, 2008 3:56 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Ohhh...

You mean Brad Hennessey?

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 9, 2008 4:02 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Yeah, and . . .

see Pirates, Pittsburgh
year after year

you can't block the Bocock

by oldjacket on May 9, 2008 4:38 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

This is the year Brian Bullington puts it together.

Just you watch.

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

by groug on May 9, 2008 10:09 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Right

Ed Creech is finally vindicated! Not likely.

Your 2011 SF Giants: the 2008 Augusta Greenjackets!

by Lyle on May 10, 2008 6:00 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

What?

We got a MLB pitcher with the #22 pick in the draft. Are you really complaining?

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

by Cookyman on May 10, 2008 1:30 AM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Hennessey wasn't a signability pick...

...He was pretty highly regarded, and had problems after tumors appeared in his back.

Not exactly something one finds on a scouting report.

SFDugout.com is BACK! See the Top 50 Giants Prospects!

by BruteSentiment on May 10, 2008 2:10 AM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

actually I was just looking at the 2001 Draft Tracker earlier in the week

and I was surprised to see that the comment next to the Hennessey pick was “pure signability pick, considered a 3rd or 4th round pick.” I can’t seem to get back to the sight right now (keep getting under consturction), but I might have saved it at work. I’ll try to post the link later.

My boy ain't fat, he's just big boned. Big bat, too.

by Roger on May 10, 2008 4:35 AM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

That's kind of what I was going off of too I think.

It was John Sickels’ take on the draft when he worked for ESPN. This would be the link.

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by WalrusMan on May 10, 2008 2:22 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

95 mph?

That’s what the article says. Are we talking about the same Brad Hennessey? Did he lose a lot of velocity after the tumors?

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

by raisingcain on May 10, 2008 5:28 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Sort of related: Villalona

Hadn’t seen this posted anywhere else. Bobby Evans was on with Ralph & Tom yesterday. I didn’t catch the whole thing, but the most interesting I heard was his response to a question about Angel and whether he’s going to stay at 1B.

Evans said he still takes grounders at 3B in practice, but the main reason they moved him to 1B was because they expect his bat to move him through the minor-league system VERY quickly and they don’t want the defense to slow him down. In essence, they feel his quickest path to the big team is at 1B. A little different from the “too big to play 3rd” stuff we’ve heard before.

I know the team doesn’t want to put all their eggs in one basket, but it makes me wonder if they’d avoid a 1B like Smoak in the draft.

Evans also talked highly of Pablo.

2008 Giants: A steaming pile of scrap!

by Goofus on May 9, 2008 3:53 PM PDT reply reply   0 recs

Draft the best avaliable player regardless of position

Years ago the Giants looked flush with 3b in the minors. There was Pedro Feliz and his 30 HRs in AAA. Tony Torcato, Julian Benavidez, and Lance Niekro were waiting in the wings if there was an opening. We got nuthin’. Stay true to your boards fellas.

by wilriv21 on May 9, 2008 3:58 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Could Villalona then..

Follow the route I brought him in Baseball Mogul through? I had a 3B signed for a few years still so I put him at 1B (sorry Ishikawa didn’t work out people). Then after the 3B left for free agency I plugged AnVil in. And by then the 1B I drafted in 2008 was ready too.

The Basil Fawlty Moderating Strategy:
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by WalrusMan on May 9, 2008 4:04 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Ortmeier worked out really well for me in BM. As did Bowker. Ishikawa is bench filler though.

SAVE_US.RAY
Nattowear: now featuring new crap!

by Natto on May 9, 2008 4:18 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Anvil’s not doing so hot though.

SAVE_US.RAY
Nattowear: now featuring new crap!

by Natto on May 9, 2008 4:18 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

It is the year 2023...

Ortmeier: 719 ABs, .639 OPS, retired in 2016 after going to the minors a few years and playing in the AL as a bench player.

Bokwer: 585 ABs, .687 OPS, retired in 2017 after bouncing between the White Sox and their AAA afiliate for 8 years.

Ishikawa: Semi-starter for 3 years. Finished at a .704 OPS in 1655 ABs.

AnVil: After a dissapointing first year when he was sent back to the minors, his second year he hit an ok .704 OPS. After that he didn’t come back below a .900 OPS from 2015-2019. He was in the .800s until 2022 and I didn’t renew him in free agency.

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 9, 2008 5:21 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Burriss BTW...

Broke the lineup in 2011. Career OBP of .336 as a leadoff hitter with 704 SBs in 11ish seasons.

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 9, 2008 5:23 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Hey, WalrusMan

You got those nifty flying cars yet in 2022? That would pretty much persuade me to buy BM.

Your 2011 SF Giants: the 2008 Augusta Greenjackets!

by Lyle on May 10, 2008 6:04 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

In the year 2525

if man is still alive, if woman can survive, they may find….. worst song of all time??

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

by rxmeister on May 10, 2008 8:31 AM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Ain't gonna need your teeth, won't need your eyes

yes, might well be the worst. That or “She’s Having My Baby.”

by sularz on May 10, 2008 10:39 AM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Bowker was my 2009 NL ROY. Nobody else is really working out except Marcus Sanders, Antoan Richardson, and Frandsen as a utility guy.

I screwed the pooch with my minor league pitching, though. I tried to promote everybody too fast, and now their ceilings all suck butt.

And Angel’s not making the cut for me, either.

My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.

by howtheyscored on May 10, 2008 10:43 AM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Ort’s line before I let him go as a free agent: .295/.359/.562 36 HR 92 RBI
In four seasons, Bowker has a career line of .307/.374/.403, mostly as a bench guy. Since I let Ort go, Bowker is a starter now. Also Schierholtz is having very Randy Winn-ish numbers. The good Winn, I mean.

SAVE_US.RAY
Nattowear: now featuring new crap!

by Natto on May 10, 2008 11:49 AM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

I haven’t played as much as I would like, so I’m only a few seasons in, but right now Bowker’s line after 2.5 full years is .310/.408/.444 as a full time starter with 24 HRs.

I forgot I have Schierholtz, too. He’s been less impressive (though not bad), shooting a .309/.337/.402 line in about 3.5 full seasons, with 52 HRs.

Ort was gone before he did anything worthwhile for anybody in my league.

My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.

by howtheyscored on May 10, 2008 1:08 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

The entire weekend...

The entire time I was in Augusta, I did not see him once at third from the moment he took the field to stretch until the end of games. I did, however, see him taking groundballs during BP at second base…twice.

I’ve got to admit, he’s a lot more agile than I expected…he was having some fun doing some mock-DP-over-the-sliding-runner plays, and moved across the bag quickly and got fairly high.

But those were always at the end of BP, kind of garbage time in the infield. I don’t see him going back to third.

SFDugout.com is BACK! See the Top 50 Giants Prospects!

by BruteSentiment on May 10, 2008 2:12 AM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

I heard Sabean say the same thing about Angel. His bat is far ahead of the his glove, and if they keep him at third it will take him longer to reach the majors. Considering how his bat has done so far this year, the glove actually scares me.

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

by rxmeister on May 10, 2008 8:28 AM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

alright

in re: buster posey, i’m pretty sure i have Kyle Skipworth being rated just above him. They’ve both had just fantastic seasons so far, but i think Skipworth’s background in the position, great arm and that awesome bat put him above posey in terms of worth. I think i rate higher-ceiling catchers more than closer to the majors because if need be, a better hitter will have an easier time if it comes down to switching positions.

BROCK BOND LIKES HIS MARTINIS PUNCHED IN THE FACE, NOT STIRRED.

by SloIsLonelyForTheOrange on May 10, 2008 1:20 AM PDT reply reply   0 recs

I agree on Skipworth over Posey. Difference is, there’s some question whether Skipworth can stay behind the dish, but I’ve yet to hear the same comment for Buster.

Proud adoptive parent of Tim Alderson.

by Anticon23 on May 10, 2008 10:29 AM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Gordon Beckham

Just sayin’. You need look no further.

Your 2011 SF Giants: the 2008 Augusta Greenjackets!

by Lyle on May 10, 2008 6:06 PM PDT reply reply   0 recs

meh

i am very meh about gordon beckham. He has a a very choppy metal bat sort of swing that i do not believe will translate well. he bats like a dash and run guy without excellent speed. It’s hard to stay if he will stick at short and really his offensive ceiling is only worth a pick at number 5 if he can stick at the premium position.

so, yeah, i’m not a gordon beckham fan. I’m also predisposed to players that people tag “plays the game the right way”

BROCK BOND LIKES HIS MARTINIS PUNCHED IN THE FACE, NOT STIRRED.

by SloIsLonelyForTheOrange on May 11, 2008 1:49 AM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs