Arizona Fall League Update
by BruteSentiment on Oct 24, 2009 2:43 AM PDT
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PrintI'm surprised by the lack of talk about the AFL in here.
It's hard not to like what the Giants' kids are doing so far in the AFL, with the exception of Posey. Here's the update as of Friday's games.
Hitters:
Buster Posey: .207/.281/.241, 7 G, 29 AB, 4 R, 6 H, 1 2B, 4 RBI, 8 SO, 3 BB, 0 SB, 0 CS
Thomas Neal: .375/.500/.458, 7 G, 24 AB, 9 R, 9 H, 2 2B, 2 RBI, 4 SO, 6 BB, 5 SB, 1 CS
Brandon Crawford: .318/.483/.409, 6 G, 22 AB, 5 R, 7 H, 2 2B, 3 RBI, 6 SO, 7 BB, 1 SB, 1 CS
Pitchers
Joe Martinez: 1-0, 1.50 ERA, 2 G, 2 GS, 6.0 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 0 HR, 1 HBP, 7 SO, 1 BB, 1.33 WHIP, .292 AVG
Dan Turpen: 0-0, 2.57 ERA, 4 G, 0 GS, 7.0 IP, 8 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 HR, 4 SO, 2 BB, 1 WP, 1.42 WHIP, .296 AVG
Steve Edlefsen: 2-0, 4.91 ERA, 5 G, 0 GS, 3.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 5 SO, 3 BB, 1.64 WHIP, .214 AVG
Obviously, sample size is an issue. (we're about a week and a half into the six week league)
Particularly when discussing Neal's success, remember that this is a league mostly of AA and AAA prospects, and Neal's the Giants' lone Single-A submission (each team is allowed only one out of six). Crawford is also looking like he's getting things figured out. Edlefsen's ERA is bad, but the peripherals aren't too awful and it's colored by one bad game. Martinez was the Scorpion's #1 starter and has done well
Posey's bad start is a bit disconcerting (maybe that long September layoff?), but one must consider a couple of things before panic mode. For one, Posey has, at each level, started slow and adjusted eventually (except in the majors, where he barely had time to get started); and two, this is Posey's first full professional year, and he's going an extra month and a half already. That's especially grueling for a catcher. The vast majority of Posey's peers in the AFL have had at least a year of conditioning for this kind of thing under their belt.
Posey does have three errors (two committed in the first two games), and a passed ball (committed late this week). He's the only player on the Scorpions with more than one.
And to end on a good note: Guess who's leading the Arizona Fall League in steals? Oh, well it's the Cardinals' Daryl Jones with 6. But Neal is tied with one other guy for five (in six attempts). Neal said he wants to make that more of his game in a recent interview, and that he's going to use the AFL to become a smarter base stealer.
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Their haven’t been fan posts or fan shots about the AFL, but a lot of Giants’ fans have been making mention of ongoing games during playoff gameday threads. Posey hasn’t hit at all, but maybe he’s becoming himself again as the two walks last night might indicate. He had only walked once previously. He’s also allowing lots of steals, making errors and committing passed balls. If he doesn’t get hot soon, I’m afraid the Giants’ are going to judge him not ready and start talking to Bengie’s agent.
No Edgar, it's not your fault, it's the fault of the idiot that plays you
Thank God for Brian and Bruce
Anybody can look at Buster’s offensive numbers in the minors and figure out he is ready for the big leagues. He might need to learn a couple of things, but he can learn those on the job.
But, how long has he been playing catcher? 4 years? Is he ready to handle this pitching staff? Bruce Bochy was the greatest French born catcher in the history of baseballl, so obviously the guy can evaluate talent. I am merely a sheep Bruce, and you are “Moi Shepard”.
The San Jose Mercury News’ Andrew Baggarly reports the San Francisco Giants will watch C Buster Posey in the Arizona Fall League. The team thinks he’s ready for the majors defensively, but they aren’t sure he’s prepared to carry the offensive load.
Wait….What?
by Sgt. Dingleberry on Oct 24, 2009 9:00 AM PDT up reply actions
And this is why I have no confidence in Bochy and Sabean reconstructing our offense.
Joe Martinez: You are cool.
When it's all said and done, America will be remembered for three things: The Bill of Rights, jazz, and baseball.
So Mr. Neal, basically, is playing over his head against players developmentally over his head.
Hee hee! More hope for the future!
"I don’t know why people feel the need to come up with reasons 'why' for everything..." - Missing Barry
by victor frankenstein on Oct 24, 2009 6:31 AM PDT reply actions
From the 10/19 Scottsdale win over Surprise...evidence.
Thomas Neal doubles (1) on a line drive to center fielder Daryl Jones. Buster Posey scores.
Jeez…$6 tix?
Great…now that I have no money I find something I really want to spend money on.
"I don’t know why people feel the need to come up with reasons 'why' for everything..." - Missing Barry
by victor frankenstein on Oct 24, 2009 6:46 AM PDT up reply actions
Yeah, I’d love to go. But I’m a little bit worried about driving all the way from Albuquerque only to find out Posey and company are taking the day off.
He, Neal and Crawford would be a fun group to watch, plus all the other top prospects.
I’m going to the All Star Game in a couple of weekends. I’m looking forward to seeing everyone, really, but it would be nice if Posey, Neal, Crawford and YEAH JOEY made the team.
If you can get 3:2 on a headline of "Giants Pitcher Assaults General Manager" at some point this year, take it.
You can't solve your problems with the same level of thinking that created the problems - Albert Einstein to Brian Sabean
I didn’t know it was a double album…
Fred Lewis can stand under my umbrella.
31 May 2007, 21:38 EST - the last time Matteh's career W-L wasn't below .500
We are at war with Los Angeles. We have always been at war with Los Angeles.
Lowering the Quality of Internet Discourse Since 1985™
by S.F. Giangst on Oct 24, 2009 8:22 PM PDT up reply actions
Daily Coverage is here
AZGIANTS with pics and vid
by thevaultsky on Oct 24, 2009 8:26 AM PDT reply actions 4 recs
Bookmarked. Thx.
"I don’t know why people feel the need to come up with reasons 'why' for everything..." - Missing Barry
by victor frankenstein on Oct 24, 2009 9:03 AM PDT up reply actions
That was quite a wild game yesterday. Taking a 7-0 lead into the ninth and having the opposition score seven runs to tie, only to win it in the bottom half. Imagine this board if that happened to the Giants. I doubt if any of us would feel like we won the game.
No Edgar, it's not your fault, it's the fault of the idiot that plays you
I don’t know. The SJ Li’l Giants won a championship thanks in large part to a game where their opponent had a comfortable lead in the late innings and then proceeded to throw about 48 consecutive WP. I’d be ok with a championship won on such terms.
My Bucardo is better than yours.
A hot August weekday, before a small crowd, when the only thing at stake is the tissue-thin difference between a thing done well and a thing done ill. Insofar as the clutch hitter is not a sportswriter's myth, it is a vulgarity, like a writer who writes only for money.
Minor league related
Hensley Meulens is traveling from Venezuela to Scottsdale for a two-day meeting with the Giants next week. That sounds encouraging to me; perhaps he’s to be offered the SF hitting coach position?
Supporting San Francisco Dugout since 2005 and Manny Burriss since 2006. Bringing you all your California League and New York-Penn League needs since 2009.
by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Oct 24, 2009 11:02 AM PDT reply actions
Who is he?
Is he the guy that worked with Bowker this year?
Proud father of Juan Carlos Perez. Think Albert Pujols at a position to be determined.
He came into the organization as Fresno’s hitting coach after coaching in the Baltimore and Pittsburgh organizations.
Supporting San Francisco Dugout since 2005 and Manny Burriss since 2006. Bringing you all your California League and New York-Penn League needs since 2009.
by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Oct 24, 2009 2:18 PM PDT up reply actions
And before that, he was a Quad-A masher in the Yankees org for a bunch of years.
Merkin Valdez? Manuel Mateo? A rose by any other name...
Yeah, I remember as a kid growing up around NYC he was the next big thing…He was something to look forward to, back when the Yankees stunk…
Then he turned into Bam Bam Linden….
by Sgt. Dingleberry on Oct 24, 2009 7:41 PM PDT up reply actions
In between being a four-A wonder and coaching hitting, he delivered the winning hit against Cuba in the 2000 Olympics to give Cuba their first loss in 21 international games.
Supporting San Francisco Dugout since 2005 and Manny Burriss since 2006. Bringing you all your California League and New York-Penn League needs since 2009.
by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Oct 25, 2009 12:30 AM PDT up reply actions
I knew that name sounded familiar. If only he had a sweet British accent and 1860s-style mutton chops.
Joe Martinez: You are cool.
When it's all said and done, America will be remembered for three things: The Bill of Rights, jazz, and baseball.
Thanks for the update
Even though it is a hitters’ league it is great to see Neal doing well in comparison to advanced competitors and teammates. Hopefully that goes a long way in impressing his detractors.
I’m not too concerned about Posey… as another poster mentioned, he has started slowly at every level and then totally caught fire.
Speaking of fire, let’s hope Turpen someday becomes an effective bullpen arm, or each time he gets the call from the ‘pen the fans will groan, "Oh no, it’s TurpenTime!"
by baseballjunkie on Oct 24, 2009 11:25 AM PDT reply actions
it’s TurpenTime!
/ swipes!
Who’s brain did you bring me?
Brain SabeanOranother.
by daveinexile on Oct 24, 2009 12:11 PM PDT up reply actions
It worries me, only because of who is running the team. You can’t get off to a slow start for Bruce Bochy.
I could definitely see Posey glued to the bench in 2010 after hitting .207 while starting every third game in April. If Molina returns, there’s no way he doesn’t get more ABs next year than Posey.
Thanks so much for the updates
I’ve been trying to follow along to games via gameday, but your personal perspective on things is awesome.
Would love as much info as possible on the AFL as their season goes on.
YOU EAT YOUR DAMN EGGROLL
It's not the offensive stuff about Posey that worries me,
but the defensive stuff, and I can’t believe he’s facing “lights out” pitching there.
Responsible for the last great homegrown Giants team.
The AFL has always been known as a hitter’s league and thirteen different players are hitting over .400 at this point. One player already has hit seven homeruns. While I fully expect Posey to go on one of his patented hot streaks starting any day now, I can easily see Sabean deciding he’s not ready if it doesn’t come soon.
No Edgar, it's not your fault, it's the fault of the idiot that plays you
Who do you think you are kidding ?
Sabean is probably weeping right now because Johjima decided to return to Japan derailing Sabean "brilliant" move of trading Lewis and Bowker for him.
Who’s brain did you bring me?
Brain SabeanOranother.
Sabean should love Posey
You could make a case that Posey is one of the main reasons Sabean received an extension. He was the highest pick Sabean had in years, he gave him one of the biggest bonuses in history, and so far he’s looked like he’s worth all of it and more. If Posey had signed and been a bust, there’s a chance Sabean might have been fired. I’m sure the great showings of the last three number one picks, (Timmy, Buster and Bumgarner) were the reason Neukom thought he was the choice going forward. It certainly wasn’t the big league team he assembled.
No Edgar, it's not your fault, it's the fault of the idiot that plays you
Totally agree
Sabean does love Posey…He is his meal ticket…As long as Sabean has a job, his french boyfriend will have one, too. So, i would say Bruce loves Buster, too.
That’s why I think we are seeing Brian take his time with Buster. He wants to see his most valuable asset fully appreciate so he can unveil it at its peak. He can say to Neukom, “Hey boss, look what I did!” He doesn’t want to bring up Buster and have him scuffle. He is trying to avoid Neukom asking “Brian, you paid $6 million for that?”
I think Sabes is just trying to cover his ass…
by Sgt. Dingleberry on Oct 25, 2009 10:22 AM PDT up reply actions
I am beginning to think he has a job because of certain pictures he has or Bow Tie thought a new GM was too radical of a move with 3 players like Tim, Pablo, & Cain on the 25 man and it might negatively affect their window.
Either way your point would make our risk adverse GM ( adverse to young risks that is) even more inclined to delay Posey. If Buster has not played much in the Big’s he can’t yet be labeled a bust. (CYA as Sgt. Points mentions below.)
Personally I can believe Buster might need more time in the minors. I don’t see a reason to have him on the 25 man and not playing him. I certainly don’t really see the reason to commit to a veteran in the available catcher pool who expects to play 1100+ innings. What Sabean does at C will be our second tell on how he plans to play out the 2010-11 rosters. I get a growing sense he will start “cashing” out more minor leaguers for “proven” Big Leaguers and Sabean’s record in attempting that, in the last several years, has not been good.
Who’s brain did you bring me?
Brain SabeanOranother.
by daveinexile on Oct 26, 2009 10:24 AM PDT up reply actions
A bad AFL by Burris got us 2 years of Rentarrhea
Hoping Posey busts out big time so we don’t have to deal with the collateral damage ( a two year 15 million dollar deal for Molina).
by Cody_ransom on Oct 26, 2009 10:39 AM PDT up reply actions
You do know that Burriss was never that good, right? Kinda like Cody Ransom
I R 5
by say hey nation on Oct 26, 2009 10:43 AM PDT up reply actions
Of course.
But did the FO know that? Apparently they don’t think Posey is ready offensively according to Baggarly.
by Cody_ransom on Oct 26, 2009 11:43 AM PDT up reply actions
Really doesn't matter what we think of the prospects we have.
if the FO liked Burriss and signed a terrible 2 year deal with Rentarrhea based on a bad AFL from Burris, I think it’s reasonable to project that they are giving Molina some serious conisderation, more and more serious with each 1/4 from Posey.
I remember Sabean saying at the end of 2008 that Burris was penciled in at SS for 2009.
by Cody_ransom on Oct 26, 2009 11:45 AM PDT up reply actions
Yes, I remember him saying something like that. It was the Kiss of Ortmeire: our crowned starting 1st baseman at the end of ’07.
Who’s brain did you bring me?
Brain SabeanOranother.
by daveinexile on Oct 26, 2009 12:11 PM PDT up reply actions
They were talking about Burriss being a 2nd baseman before he even came up to the show in ’07. Odds are real good they would have just put at 2nd base ( like they did) no matter how he did and gotten a full time SS. The question was which one of maybe a half dozen candidates and at what price. In hind sight it was foolish of us ( I am one of the us in this case) to think the Giants might start Burriss at SS in Fresno in the beginning of ’09 so the club might have a in house midseason option for SS.
Who’s brain did you bring me?
Brain SabeanOranother.
by daveinexile on Oct 26, 2009 11:25 AM PDT up reply actions
Thanks for the update. Great to hear about the guys as they continue to play into the winter.
Joe Martinez: You are cool.
When it's all said and done, America will be remembered for three things: The Bill of Rights, jazz, and baseball.
Encouraging
I like the improvements from Neal and Crawford. It’ll be interesting to see what the Giants do with Crawford and Neal next year. I think Neal might be worth a look in Fresno, but Crawford blew chunks for most of his stay in AA.
I think they’ll both be in AA to start and both could move to AAA quickly if they do well. Crawford may be moved to AAA regardless, trying to get him ready to start in 2011.
Proud father of Juan Carlos Perez. Think Albert Pujols at a position to be determined.
Thanks Brute!
Post anytime on the goings on there.
"The part of the roster where most of the money is spent, though, is on free agents and guys acquired through trade — guys Sabean did play a big role in acquiring. And they are not good. When you get 2/5 of a pitching rotation for free, you would think you could do better with $76 million than to field the league’s worst offense."
-Taliesin September, 2009
AFL coverage on MLB Network
Aside from the All-Star game, MLBN will broadcast the championship game:
MLB Network will nationally televise two Arizona Fall League games in November — the fourth annual Rising Stars Game and the league championship contest.
Arizona Diamondbacks’ television play-by-play voice Daron Sutton will be joined by former major league first baseman Tony Clark to describe the Rising Stars Game at Surprise Stadium, the spring home of the Kansas City Royals and Texas Rangers, at 8:00 p.m. ET (6 p.m. AZ) on Saturday, November 7.
Later in the month, Clark, who played for the Tempe Rafters in the 1994 Fall League, will pair with MLB Network host Victor Rojas to call the championship game from Scottsdale Stadium, the spring home of the San Francisco Giants, at 2:30 p.m. ET (12:30 p.m. AZ) on Saturday, November 21.
Rising Stars Game — Scouting and minor league directors of every major-league organization, in consultation with Fall League Director Steve Cobb and his baseball personnel staff, select the players for the Rising Stars Game, a showcase pitting elite prospects from each major-league organization in an East Division vs. West Division format.
The East Division squad will be comprised of prospects from the Angels, Athletics, Blue Jays, Cubs, Diamondbacks, Giants, Marlins, Nationals, Orioles, Phillies, Pirates, Rays, Red Sox, Rockies, and Twins.
The West Division will field players from the Astros, Braves, Brewers, Cardinals, Dodgers, Indians, Mariners, Mets, Padres, Rangers, Reds, Royals, Tigers, White Sox, and Yankees.
If you can get 3:2 on a headline of "Giants Pitcher Assaults General Manager" at some point this year, take it.
I’ve had this on my Entourage Calendar for a couple months now. I can’t wait!
Giant Dirtbags: John Bowker, Steve Hammond. MIA List: Todd Jennings, Brian Anderson
Jeremy Affeldt induces DP's
by Giant among Angels on Nov 1, 2009 10:08 PM PST up reply actions
Well, the ASG part. thanks for the update on the Championship game
Giant Dirtbags: John Bowker, Steve Hammond. MIA List: Todd Jennings, Brian Anderson
Jeremy Affeldt induces DP's
by Giant among Angels on Nov 1, 2009 10:09 PM PST up reply actions
From ESPN
Several people have noted that Posey looks worn down in AZ (including Bochy). Here’s the latest from Jason Grey:
San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey has had a rough time of it at the Fall League, both offensively and defensively, with a slow bat, plus problems blocking and receiving behind the dish. However, we can’t read anything into that. More than one scout has questioned why he’s even here. He looks very tired and is going through the motions after the grind of a long season. He still is likely to be the Opening Day catcher next season and can have success right away.
If you can get 3:2 on a headline of "Giants Pitcher Assaults General Manager" at some point this year, take it.
He still is likely to be the Opening Day catcher next season and can have success right away.
Mr. Gray must have forgotten that the Giants have Eli Whiteside.
Giant Dirtbags: John Bowker, Steve Hammond. MIA List: Todd Jennings, Brian Anderson
Jeremy Affeldt induces DP's
by Giant among Angels on Nov 2, 2009 12:33 PM PST up reply actions
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