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The Man Who

Grant_tiny by Grant on

Once upon a time, the Giants decided they needed a below-average corner outfielder. Like, really, really needed one. Everyone else totally had one. OMG, it would be so embarrassing if the Giants didn’t have one. But the team couldn’t afford one. The money they were printing was for rolling around in, not for personnel. So someone in the front office came up with a brilliant solution: Sign the below-average corner outfielder before his old team can decline to offer him arbitration. Just give the draft pick to the player’s old team, and that way the Giants wouldn’t be forced to waste $1M on a draft pick.

Those were the dark days – as far as player development went, the Giants were giddily practicing trepanation while the rest of the league had moved on to laser surgery. It didn’t begin with the Michael Tucker fiasco, though that was the most egregious example. The Giants weren’t spending a whole lot in international scouting, and they weren’t spending a whole bunch in the draft, making sure to pick players who weren’t expecting more than their slot commanded.

There was an oasis in this fog, though. In the 21st-round of the 2002 draft, the Giants picked Travis Ishikawa, who was a 2nd- to 3rd-round pick based on talent, but whose commitment to Oregon State caused him to plummet. The Giants bought out Ishikawa’s commitment for just under a million dollars. Every year, there are draftees who fall because of bonus demands or school commitments, but who eventually sign with the drafting club. It’s been a viable strategy for some teams. The Giants tried this once, nabbed themselves an Ishikawa, and then ditched the strategy. It’s a weird anomaly compared with the rest of the player development blueprints from Sabean’s Classical Era.

Ishikawa started out alright, holding his own as an 18-year-old in short-season A-ball. He moved through the system at a typical pace, and he reached high-A when he was 21. In San Jose, he started tearing it up, finishing with 22 home runs and a .282/.387/.532 line. He was the heir apparent to Will Clark, the anti-Benzinger, the first position player since Matt Williams to make the All-Star team, the…

And then: ka-thunk. The move to AA killed him. Dodd Stadium is an extreme pitcher’s park, but that couldn’t completely account for the decline. The next year in AA would be the charm, as Ishikawa would have an extra year under his belt, and…

And then: ka-boom. In AA last year, Ishikawa hit like a 64-year-old Omar Vizquel. The numbers improved when Ishikawa was moved to the Cal League, but he was way too old for that league. Plus, he wasn’t exhibiting great contact or strike-zone judgment, either. His average was .268, and his K/BB ratio was 78/19 in almost 200 at-bats.

And then: ka-surge? Ishikawa finally got the handle of AA in his third go-round, as he almost halved his strikeout rate from the previous season. Then he went to AAA and started hitting like a pre-vegan Prince Fielder.

I have no idea what to make of this guy. It’s been a couple of years since I wrote him off completely, so it’s hard to just accept him as a possible piece of the Giants’ rebuilding plan. Looking through his numbers at Minor League Splits, it isn’t as if there’s anything that screams "fluke!" His batting average on the balls he put in play wasn’t unusual. It isn’t as if his strikeout numbers stayed the same while his other numbers improved; it’s been a wholesale improvement.

So I’m looking forward to Travis Ishikawa being a part of the Giants’ plans next season, and that’s something I would never have dreamed of writing just 100 days ago. If there’s something that concerns me, it’s his platoon splits, as he doesn’t hit lefties all that well. The Giants have a ready-made solution, though, as they have a catching prospect, Pablo Sandoval, who can also play first base against lefties. Sandoval’s legs get some rest, Ishikawa is eased in against tough lefties…win/win.

I’m a liking the options that a rejuvenated Ishikawa brings. If he ends up as a good major leaguer, it will be the kind of player development break that the Giants haven’t had in decades. Open Ishikawa Thread.

Poll
The rejuvenation of Ishikawa?
I believe! I believe!
258 votes
Fluke. Call me if he does it next year.
154 votes

412 votes | Poll has closed

0 recs | Comment 97 comments

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dude found God

of course he’s for real

by BigO on Aug 19, 2008 11:36 AM PDT   0 recs

He found BLB's number and called for hitting tips?

That explains a lot.

Adopted brother of the AnVil / GIANTSPACE™ returns!

by SoFa King Mike on Aug 19, 2008 11:39 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Really? Wow, you’d never have guessed it from his post-game interviews!

I used to be disgusted, but now I try to be amused!

by PLUChris on Aug 19, 2008 11:43 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

TI’s theme song

Adopted brother of the AnVil / GIANTSPACE™ returns!

by SoFa King Mike on Aug 19, 2008 11:37 AM PDT   0 recs

Am I the only one who though Pablo Sandoval's promotion was premature/shortsighted/stupid?

Adopted Giant: Aaron King

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

by baetown415 on Aug 19, 2008 11:38 AM PDT   0 recs

i know. and i have a typo

Adopted Giant: Aaron King

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

by baetown415 on Aug 19, 2008 11:46 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

yeah, it should be “baytown”….but we can forgive you.

I've come to the conclusion that the two most important things in life are good friends and a good bullpen. - Bob Lemon, 1981

by Lyle on Aug 19, 2008 12:11 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Premature, maybe

Shortsighted, probably not; stupid, no.

Billy Hayes: His job is better than yours.

by delorean on Aug 19, 2008 11:51 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Not based on performance. I can understand the argument that he and Bengie should not be on the Giants at the same time, though.

by rotorueter on Aug 19, 2008 11:51 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I prefer the argument that he should play ahead of Bengie, myself.

by jcb9 on Aug 19, 2008 12:01 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I agree

Mostly because I don’t think that Sandoval is going to get enough ABs compared to what he would have gotten by staying in AA. But, I can understand the FO wanting to see what they have with Sandoval, especially if they think he is MLB ready.

by Squire_Boone on Aug 19, 2008 12:24 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

oh yeah, I like TI as a viable platoon guy

Adopted Giant: Aaron King

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

by baetown415 on Aug 19, 2008 11:39 AM PDT   0 recs

Hey whatev,

I don’t have any blind optimism spent on the niners this season, so I have plenty to throw at this dude. GO TI! I beLIEve!

by bondslegend on Aug 19, 2008 11:39 AM PDT   0 recs

+1

though i have used about 10% of mine on the warriors. TI, you gets 30%!

"They can trade me," Bonds said. "I don't think they will, though. It's not like I want to be traded, man. I'm a Giant. I'm stuck here till the end."

by GameSix on Aug 19, 2008 11:56 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

There should be a third option: “I want to believe, but I’ve been hurt so many times before.”

It really is an abusive relationship.

by jcb9 on Aug 19, 2008 11:51 AM PDT   0 recs

This

Ishi’s played a very nice first base in the last week, and OMG he can get hitz too! See also: Bowker, John. Let’s wait until he does a bit more than lay waste to Atlanta Braves relievers before we say he’s the Second Coming.

Nice title, Grant. Did you know the bassist for Travis is married to Kelly Macdonald aka The Most Adorable Scottish Lady on Earth?

No, my Crazy Crab bobblehead is not for sale.

by Kitspool on Aug 19, 2008 12:04 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I wish that Radiohead had written one more album in the style of “The Bends.” So I’ll always be grateful for “The Man Who” for successfully ripping off one of the few albums that needed ripping off.

by Grant on Aug 19, 2008 12:12 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I love me some early Radiohead

Downloading Travis now. Gracias.

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

by hairball on Aug 19, 2008 12:55 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

UGH

I’ve been in love with Kelly Mac for like ever.

Billy Hayes: His job is better than yours.

by delorean on Aug 19, 2008 12:42 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Ultimate Gamer!

No, my Crazy Crab bobblehead is not for sale.

by Kitspool on Aug 19, 2008 2:56 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

FAP FAP FAP FAP FAP

Billy Hayes: His job is better than yours.

by delorean on Aug 19, 2008 3:06 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

hi kelly

Trent Kline: Decentish. Also, my website is called ChatterBalks Dot Com and on it I make jokes about things.

by groug on Aug 19, 2008 4:28 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Between Ishikawa and Bowker, we now have two sorta-decent candidates for first base. Weird. I’d bring back Aurilia to platoon with whichever one wins out. An Ishikawa-Sandoval platoon doesn’t work because the right side is Pablo’s weak side. /Roger

by Evan on Aug 19, 2008 12:05 PM PDT   0 recs

agree

and well, there’s no guarantee that Pablo will even make the big-league club next season. Though he’s still on his upswing and I have liked his past 400 PA’s, I’m not sure if he’s ready to contribute full time at this level. Then again, I think he would’ve been picked up in this winter’s Rule V draft if he didn’t get placed on the 40, so I guess it all kinda works out.

Adopted Giant: Aaron King

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

by baetown415 on Aug 19, 2008 12:10 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

It’s kind of scary to think that, if Ishikawa ends up an above-average hitting first baseman with power, he could be our best first baseman since 1993.

by jcb9 on Aug 19, 2008 12:22 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Well...

J.T. snow wasn’t too bad 1997-2000.

by Squire_Boone on Aug 19, 2008 12:25 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

He wasn’t bad, but aside from a flukish 135 OPS+ in 1997, he was pretty average for a first baseman (OPS+ of 102, 112, 113 – all good, but Clark was 117 in his WORST year as a Giant). Obviously his glove was ungodly.

by jcb9 on Aug 19, 2008 12:30 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

You mean

aside from a flukish 1997, he was a BELOW AVERAGE 1B with the bat:



year  sOPS+

1997   110

1998    81

1999    95

2000    88




He was awful (sOPS+) < 78 for 3 of the next 5 years, but did actually have his best (partial) year in 2004.

        
          
FIRE BRIAN SABEAN
 
 
        
      

      
      

        by zenbitz on 
            Aug 19, 2008 2:14 PM PDT
            
            
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        Yet another reason...
      

  
      

        
why we should consider bringing back Aurilia for next year.


This season vs. LHP:  268/349/464


He can fill in at 3B, and if Sandoval flops he becomes 1B insurance.

        
          
I think I pulled my swagger muscle...
 
 
        
      

      
      

        by BawLa on 
            Aug 19, 2008 3:05 PM PDT
            
            
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        I agree
      

  
      

        
I think another year of Richie filling a utility role would be a good thing.

        
      

      
      

        by tyrannoman on 
            Aug 19, 2008 3:13 PM PDT
            
            
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        I don't disagree
      

  
      

        
that Aurillia is useful in some capacity… but without some big bats acquired in the off season, we are in for another misery of no runs offense.   I would keep Richie off the team just to prevent the Bochmiester from using him every day.

        
          
FIRE BRIAN SABEAN
 
 
        
      

      
      

        by zenbitz on 
            Aug 19, 2008 3:58 PM PDT
            
            
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        Since Bowker kept getting AB's at first..
      

  
      

        
I feel like Bochy wouldn’t start Aurillia @first over Ishi

        
          
proud father of the newly acquired Brandon Crawford..
 
 
        
      

      
      

        by Azmanz on 
            Aug 19, 2008 6:02 PM PDT
            
            
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it really doesn’t seem like anyone is under the delusion that Aurilia is an everyday player.

        
          
you can't block the Bocock
 
 
        
      

      
      

        by oldjacket on 
            Aug 19, 2008 6:53 PM PDT
            
            
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        I believe...
      

  
      

        
Ishikawa has always been a guy that the scouts of have liked and he has always shown promise.  I sincerely hope that his improvement this year can continue on into next year.  The Giants (and Sabean) just may get lucky and end up filling the hole at 1B (at least against RHP) for 2009.  Having 1B covered will make the offseason a little easier for the FO.


But, I do agree with others, that we need to see what he can do the rest of the season before handing him the 2009 1B job (although, nothing might stop Sabean from giving it to him anyway).


I am rooting for TI to have a strong rest of the season.

        
      

      
      

        by Squire_Boone on 
            Aug 19, 2008 12:22 PM PDT
            
            
            
            
            
              
              
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(And I loved both picks at the time they were made, too! I am so smrt!)

        
      

      
      

        by Grant on 
            Aug 19, 2008 12:37 PM PDT
            
            
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Therefore, Crawford will clearly be an all-star!

        
      

      
      

        by jcb9 on 
            Aug 19, 2008 12:38 PM PDT
            
            
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        Guaranteed
      

  
      

        
        
          
proud father of the newly acquired Brandon Crawford..
 
 
        
      

      
      

        by Azmanz on 
            Aug 19, 2008 1:23 PM PDT
            
            
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I am so drinking this kool-aid.

        
          
Neglectful father of David Quinowski
 
 
        
      

      
      

        by marcello on 
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I believe in John Bowker Travis Ishikawa.

        
          
Farewell, Ray. We'll miss your smile and your sugar. Welcome, Steve Hammond "Eggs". Throw strikes.

comics | cartoons | Nattowear
 
 
        
      

      
      

        by Natto on 
            Aug 19, 2008 12:41 PM PDT
            
            
            
            
            
              
              
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Between Bowker and Ishi is that Ishi really is a 1st baseman.   (Have no idea how I posted that first one.)

        
      

      
      

        by Shoeless on 
            Aug 19, 2008 12:47 PM PDT
            
            
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so what … 5 games befroe Bochy has him starting at CF, 3rd or short?

        
          
Ivan Ochoa - Heir to  the legacy of Rob Andrews  & Rikkert Faneyte!

 
 
        
      

      
      

        by daveinexile on 
            Aug 20, 2008 10:21 AM PDT
            
            
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Travis Ishikawa becomes way more of a badass once half of his face burns off.

        
          
My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.
 
 
        
      

      
      

        by howtheyscored on 
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        That'll be awesome!
      

  
      

        
        
          
Fairley odd parent to Wendell
 
 
        
      

      
      

        by WTF on 
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But it’ll really slow down the game when he enters the batter’s box and flips a coin for every pitch to decide whether he’ll take it or swing.

        
          
Farewell, Ray. We'll miss your smile and your sugar. Welcome, Steve Hammond "Eggs". Throw strikes.

comics | cartoons | Nattowear
 
 
        
      

      
      

        by Natto on 
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Whatever he can do to improve his plate discipline is fine by me.

        
          
My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.
 
 
        
      

      
      

        by howtheyscored on 
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Very hard guy to evaluate, but I think it’s slightly more likely that this is for real than that it’s a fluke.  He’s been a genuine offensive powerhouse this season, in a way that context can not reduce, and he’s long been thought of as a guy with a high ceiling.  I see no reason why he couldn’t be a real masher against righties… hitting lefties is the key variable, o’ course.


I’d be pretty happy to see him at 1B next year.  If we were somehow able to sign Teixeira, blocking him in the process, I’d be okay with that too.  More than anything, I want the organization to realize that Ishi should be a higher priority at the big-league level than Bowker in ‘09.  Happily, it seems like they’re getting that message.

        
      

      
      

        by onlxn on 
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Too early to tell.

        
      

      
      

        by Lars The Wanderer on 
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        This.
      

  
      

        
I’ve been burned before. My optimism reserve is dangerously low. I’m almost all cynicism and crankiness.

        
          
It's my blarg! Quick Pitch
 
 
        
      

      
      

        by can of corn on 
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I’m willing to say that for the rest of the season, he’s the starting first baseman, though I’d give Sandoval some ab’s there as well.


If the decision is the platoon him, I’d hope that they gradually increase his number of ab’s against lefties to increase his confidence and exposure. You don’t spend all that time and money on a guy just to platoon him. In any event, I’d rather see TI against a LHP than Richie against anyone.

        
          
Bonds stands alone.



Proud adopted parent of future big league slugger Thomas Neal
 
 
        
      

      
      

        by nostocksjustbonds on 
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         Agreed ...
      

  
      

        
I’d like to follow the route

        
          
Cain is Able ... 
 
 
        
      

      
      

        by Norcalfan10 on 
            Aug 19, 2008 1:31 PM PDT
            
            
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that Arizona tool with Conor Jackson.  His first year+ he was a platoon hitter with Tony Clark.  Then they eased him into the full time role, and he’s now pretty solid from both sides.


Best case scenario, TI and Pablo platoon the rest of this year, with Pable getting time behind the plate.  Then you continue the trend next year until the trade deadline comes.  You unload benji, giving Pablo the full time job, and allowing TI to take over full time at first.

        
          
Cain is Able ... 
 
 
        
      

      
      

        by Norcalfan10 on 
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That is a route that I agree with.  Ishikawa needs to be eased slowly into facing LHPs at the major league level.  Hopefully he can improve enough to start against them full time.

        
      

      
      

        by Squire_Boone on 
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        I bet Roberts starts today :(
      

  
      

        
4/4 lifetime against Nolasco.

        
          
proud father of the newly acquired Brandon Crawford..
 
 
        
      

      
      

        by Azmanz on 
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        Lewis was pretty hobbled yesterday
      

  
      

        
As much as I like Fred, he might need the time off.

        
          
Trent Kline: Decentish.  Also, my website is called ChatterBalks Dot Com and on it I make jokes about things.
 
 
        
      

      
      

        by groug on 
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But his wives will be there tonight. :(

        
          
"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 
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        He's Mormon?
      

  
      

        
        
          
Fairley odd parent to Wendell
 
 
        
      

      
      

        by WTF on 
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Nah, I decided to share Fred with jponry.

        
          
"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 
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        Major kudos, Grant, for the title and reference
      

  
      

        
Clearly, you’re writing to reach us, with respect to why it always rains on us, something something driftwood.

        
          
I once punched a hole in a light fixture in celebration of a J.T. Snow home run.  That is all.
 
 
        
      

      
      

        by oneflapdown on 
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        Ishikawa deserves to finsih the year as a starter
      

  
      

        
no matter what he hits. If he does well, give him the job next year. If he doesn’t, back to AAA for one last shot

        
          
www.wazzel.com (prove your sports knowledge if you can)
 
 
        
      

      
      

        by NeifiChicken on 
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        A little rain on the parade.
      

  
      

        
TI has had a total of 5 ML Games. His OPS line after 5 games is .353/.421/.647


There was another 1st baseman for the Giants this season that everyone got all excited about, and his line after 5 games was : .438/.474/.938 (Making what TI has done look like Omar)


Both had minor league careers with some questions as well as some good performance coupled with solid MiL performance prior to their coming to the ML.


Now, there are some reasons to think that TI may have more long-term success than John Bowker (who we shouldn’t give up on, btw) but I think that too much excitement about TI at this point is a little premature.


That being said, I really hope he turns out to be legit. I also hope Bowker figures things out at fresno.

        
          
Eugeniooooooo!!!!
 
 
        
      

      
      

        by FairweatherFan on 
            Aug 19, 2008 2:01 PM PDT
            
            
            
            
            
              
              
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5 ML games this season.

        
          
Eugeniooooooo!!!!
 
 
        
      

      
      

        by FairweatherFan on 
            Aug 19, 2008 2:20 PM PDT
            
            
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        I've always believed in Ishikawa
      

  
      

        
He impressed me in his very very short call-up back in 2006. 4 of his 7 hits went for extra bases. He’s a plus defender, he has above average speed for his position. He has shown the ability to drive the ball in the minors. I think he suffered a hit to his confidence after being sent back down, and then he had to contend with a knee injury.


Now this year he destroyed AA and AAA pitching, and is back in the majors with a renewed sense of confidence and maturity. I don’t think it’s a fluke. I think he can be a decent ML 1B. Not an All-Star or anything, but at least somebody we can actually be proud of that they came up through our farm system. That’s something we haven’t been able to say in quite some time really.

        
      

      
      

        by Hobbes2d on 
            Aug 19, 2008 2:18 PM PDT
            
            
            
            
            
              
              
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        I've been saying this all along and for years now:  The Dodd Dood It
      

  
      

        
Dodd Stadium did completely account for the decline:  "The move to AA killed him. Dodd Stadium is an extreme pitcher’s park, but that couldn’t completely account for the decline. "


Ishikawa’s stats in 2005 and 2006 splits shows his batting line in 2005 is very similar to 2006-Away:


2005-total:   .282/.387/.531/.918, .355 BABIP, 49% FB, 38% GB, 30% K, 0.54 BB/K, 249 ISO, 20 AB/HR

2006-Away:  .244/.332/.470/.802, .324 BABIP, 46 FB, 39% GB, 34% K, 0.40 BB/K, 236 ISO, 23 AB/HR

2006-Home: .212/.289/.314/.603, .265 BABIP, 40 FB, 43% GB, 26% K%, 0.36 BB/K, 102 ISO, 46 AB/HR


The main difference between 2005 and 2006-Away is that his BABIP went down, accounting for the majority of the drop in OPS (drop in BB/K also contributed).


But 2006-home saw a huge drop in BABIP, FB%, ISO, resulting in the horrible batting line there, reduction in BA, OBP, SLG in particular, OPS.  In addition, the HR ratio halved, resulting in a doubling of his AB/HR.


On top of that, Jonathan Mayo did some research and found that there is something at Municipal Park that screws up a hitter’s view, resulting in an inordinate amount of strikeouts there, one of the worse in all of the minors, let alone California League, making it a pitcher’s park in a hitter’s league.  They even interviewed Bowker as a part of that series of articles on problem parks (Dodd also got mention as well) and he talked about the difficulties hitting there.


But I totally agree with FairweatherFan and would invoke the name of another slugging 1Bman, Lance Niekro, who had initial success and ultimately failed.


Though I will note that Ishikawa has actually been in 17 games, 41 AB thus far in his MLB career, as he played a little and nicely in 2006.  His overall BABIP is .414 because he strikes out so many times (27% K%), contributing to his very nice batting line of .317/.364/.561/.925, 136 OPS+.  His BABIP should drop by a lot which will kill his batting average, OBP, and SLG; the question is what is his true level of BABIP, it could be high, it could be low, but nobody knows.  He’s actually hit well in his limited exposure to LHP in 2006 but totally small samples; he has been horrible against LHP in the minors.  (Hence the platoon talks)


Just let him platoon with Sandoval next season (assuming they win that and not just handed it) with Sandoval also backing up C and getting at least one start per week there.  That would be about 3 starts per week, about 300-350 AB in a season, more if Molina is traded mid-season.  Heck, if they made it two starts per week catching, that would push it to 400-500, which is pretty much a full season, close enough that he has a chance to show what he can do.

        
          
Adoptive parental unit of Kevin  "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

 
 
        
      

      
      

        by obsessivegiantscompulsive on 
            Aug 19, 2008 2:41 PM PDT
            
            
            
            
            
              
              
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        Why does it always rain on me?
      

  
      

        


Grant has good taste.

        
          
Once I adopted Tim Flannery.  I've since left him outside a fire station.
 
 
        
      

      
      

        by pme on 
            Aug 19, 2008 2:45 PM PDT
            
            
            
            
            
              
              
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Well, I wouldn’t say I love Travis. I enjoyed “The Bends II (Now with 200% more gloss!)” to an extent.


Of course, they also opened the door for Coldplay.

        
      

      
      

        by Grant on 
            Aug 19, 2008 3:00 PM PDT
            
            
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        Go Travis!
      

  
      

        
I’ve been rooting for the Giants to get an impact Asian player for so long, I was posting under “Travis Ishikawa” a few years ago.  Since then I’ve been forced to go “Kurt Suzuki” but I would love it if TI were to stick.


Does anyone have the comprehensive list of guys Sabean intentionally lost first round picks for?  Tucker I remember, but I forget who else.

        
          
"[Greg] Vaughn is in a funk so deep, George Clinton wearing a miner's helmet couldn't find him."

	- Jim Baker, ESPN.com, May 2002
 
 
        
      

      
      

        by achiappanza on 
            Aug 19, 2008 2:58 PM PDT
            
            
            
            
            
              
              
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It’d also be fun/painful to see which players were drafted with those pics.

        
      

      
      

        by rotorueter on 
            Aug 19, 2008 3:01 PM PDT
            
            
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The Royals picked Matthew Campbell, who never made it out of A-ball. That doesn’t mean that the Giants weren’t going to pick Gio Gonzalez, Huston Street, Reid Brignac, Yovani Gallardo, Hunter Pence, Dustin Pedroia, or Kurt Suzuki. All went within the next 30 picks.


With the Benitez pick, the Marlins drafted Aaron Thompson, who was a prett