POLL: September Call Ups (Position Player Edition)
by Speedforthewin on Aug 21, 2009 8:38 AM PDT
69 comments
With the 2 days of offensive ineptitude causing anguish the way they would, I thought I would look towards potential September call ups. Who out of this group will have the most impact on the Giants WC & NL West push?
The Candidates:
Rich Aurilia, 1B/3B
2009: Minors (A & AAA): .118/.246/.471; Majors (SF): .220/.267/.294
Although Aurilia is technically on the DL, he is essentially a September call up, as it has become apparent that the FO wanted to keep Aurilia around for September. Aurilia has been an unbearable presence on the team to most fans, although he is team leader in Fake Bunts and is second in Grit and Gaminess to Aaron Rowand.
Andres Torres, LF/CF
2009: Minors (A & AAA): .297/.316/.486; Majors (SF): .247/.337/.472
Torres, the Giants 5th Outfielder to start the season, has provided good defense in the outfield as well as providing a decent bat and speed off the bench. Torres, currently on the DL, is being waited to be activated until September.
John Bowker, LF/RF/1B
2009: Minors (AAA Fresno): .350/.453/.631; Majors (SF): .182/.222/.333
Bowker, who made an initial splash in the majors last season, has had a breakout year at AAA Fresno. Unfortunately, that reworked approach has not been shown yet in the majors, where Bowker has recieved 33 ABs and sporadic playing time during call ups.
Kevin Frandsen, Super UTIL
2009: Minors (AAA Fresno): .297/.350/.425; Majors (SF): .128/.190/.154
Frandsen, who was a starting 2B candidate during spring training, has since been converted to a super Utility role, playing LF, 3B, SS, 2B and 1B. Unfortunately, Frandsen tragically hit a foul ball that broke GM Brian Sabean's Daughter's nose, resulting in a rift between him and the FO.
Ryan Rohlinger, 3B/ SS/ 2B/ C
2009: Minors (AAA Fresno): .282/.353/.462
Rohlinger, primarily a 3B, has also spent some time at SS, 2B and C this season. Rohlinger is probably most famous for not being Jose Castillo, a title he earned last season.
Matt Downs, UTIL
2009: Minors (AAA Fresno): .293/.383/.489; Majors (SF): .170/.250/.264
Downs has spent time at 2B, SS, 3B and RF this season. Downs who was one of the candidates in a season-long search for a starting 2B, had 2 stints with the Giants this season.
Jesus Guzman, 1B
2009: Minors (AAA Fresno): .320/.374/.496; Majors (SF): .133/.133/.133
Guzman, signed as a minor league FA in the offseason, has enjoyed a good offensive season in Fresno. Unfortunately for Guzman, he is 5th in the pecking order for 1B, behind Ryan Garko, Travis Ishikawa, Pablo Sandoval and Aurilia.
For the purposes of this post, I only included players on the 40 man roster. Also, I decided to take the FO word that C Buster Posey will not be up in September. So...Who makes the most impact on the race?
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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Rich Aurilia, of course. You didn’t say positive impact.
Jesse Foppert: I Still Believe. Maybe a little less now.
"I've come to the conclusion that the two most important things in life are good friends and a good bullpen." ~Bob Lemon,
by AndYourBirdCanSing on Aug 21, 2009 8:48 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Sadly, this
Adopted brother of Jason Jarvis.
by j14 on Aug 21, 2009 9:38 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wow
that’s like word-for-word what I was gonna say, and here it is the first comment.
Giants wins feel better than Dodger losses, but it's darn close.
by WhereThere'sAWillieThere'sAMays on Aug 22, 2009 11:19 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
That’s how I voted.
Utter frustration and futility.
by Johnny Disaster on Aug 22, 2009 2:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
This is true. Impact can be positive or negative and Aurilia is more likely to cause the latter.
Brand new adoptive daddy for the Big Unit. Congrats go out to my son for his 300th win. Only 211 more wins until he catches Cy Young!
by Speedforthewin on Aug 21, 2009 8:50 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
reply fail
Brand new adoptive daddy for the Big Unit. Congrats go out to my son for his 300th win. Only 211 more wins until he catches Cy Young!
by Speedforthewin on Aug 21, 2009 8:52 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I still believe in Bowkermania
Proud father of Juan Carlos Perez. Think Albert Pujols at a position to be determined.
@#$% Juan Uribe. Dios es grande.
by marcello on Aug 21, 2009 9:21 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
BOWKERMANIA
Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.
PABLO SANDOVAL AM STEAL DEATH, DESTROYER OF WORLDS.
by jponry on Aug 21, 2009 9:24 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Personally, I voted for Bowker, but I believe Frandsen and Guzman could be useful bench bats for september
Brand new adoptive daddy for the Big Unit. Congrats go out to my son for his 300th win. Only 211 more wins until he catches Cy Young!
by Speedforthewin on Aug 21, 2009 9:28 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Considering how fragile Sanchez has been
Frandsen being among the callups is pretty much a certainty.
“Fra-gee-lay. It must be Italian!”
by Lars The Wanderer on Aug 21, 2009 9:51 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Given sanchez’s injuries, Frandsen would provide more flexibility to use Uribe at SS
Brand new adoptive daddy for the Big Unit. Congrats go out to my son for his 300th win. Only 211 more wins until he catches Cy Young!
by Speedforthewin on Aug 21, 2009 9:54 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
THIS ! THIS ! THIS ! THIS ! THIS ! THIS ! THIS !
My adopted son Matt Downs . Ranked as the 24th best prospect in the Giants farm system by Baseball America !!
by nvsfg on Aug 21, 2009 3:11 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I voted Bowker, but I wish Frandsen would get Rental-rhea innings (not likely to happen, eh, Brian & Bruce???)
Juan Marichal's bat > JR's head
by titofuentes4 on Aug 21, 2009 9:49 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Not calling up Posey seems like a bold move. There are other considerations, sure — but when you’re locked in a pennant race, your starting catcher is terrible, and you have a young catcher with an OPS of 950 in AAA, you have to call him up.
by Evan on Aug 21, 2009 9:58 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
This is the balence the Giants are trying to strike, how to contend and build at the same time. They traded for a marginal upgrade at 1B and a above average 2B, but wouldn’t give up the prospects to get a big bat. They’ll keep posey down so they don’t rush him because he is the future. It may be frustrating, but the team is trying to get the best of both worlds
Brand new adoptive daddy for the Big Unit. Congrats go out to my son for his 300th win. Only 211 more wins until he catches Cy Young!
by Speedforthewin on Aug 21, 2009 10:03 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree that this is the balancing act they are attempting.
Sergio Romo: striking out professional hitters since 2005. And winner of the 2012 NL Fireman of the Year Award!
by Lyle on Aug 25, 2009 6:02 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
What about the fact that Molina and Whiteside have a ton of experience calling games, know most of the hitters and their tendencies, and are familiar with catching our pitching staff. I feel like that has to count for something. I would be a lot more encouraging of bringing up Posey this late in the season during a pennant race if he played a different position
by snafu on Aug 21, 2009 3:51 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
OTOH
Not knowing the league or the hitters or the pitchers didn’t seem to hurt Whiteside’s ability to call a game when we first started seeing him. Which, I believe, was basically his first ML experience.
Context, people. More context is good. Less context is bad. If you're willing to be reductive, then you're willing to be wrong.
by howtheyscored on Aug 21, 2009 4:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Whiteside caught 32 innings in 2005 for Baltimore, but you’re essentially correct, and it is Whiteside’s first NL experience.
by North Side Chicago Expatriate Giants Fan on Aug 22, 2009 1:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Be a tough commute
Seeing as how he’s gonna be in Europe.
Fulfilling your Gus Benusa needs since 2009!
by Giantsfan4life on Aug 21, 2009 4:30 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Calling up Posey in September would be retarded. He still needs development time in AAA, and that would also start his arb clock unnecessarily early. I want him starting Opening Day 2010, but between Molina, Whiteside, and sort of Pablo I don’t see a real need for Posey, nor do I want his first ML experience to be in the pressure-filled race for the postseason.
by quincy0191 on Aug 22, 2009 4:34 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Days spent on the major league roster in September don’t affect the arb clock. And really, September of a postseason race is the perfect time for a “Congrats on the fine year, welcome to the big leagues” call up. He won’t be under any pressure as he’s not likely to see much action, and he can breath deep of the awesome pennant race baseball atmosphere and get psyched about working hard to get himself up here for good and for real.
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.
by Roger on Aug 22, 2009 6:14 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I would vote ‘other,’ with other meaning no impact, because with the playoff race for Bochy to us as an excuse, every lineup is going to include Molina, Winn, Rowand and Renteria. I would put the over/under on combined starts for Bowker and Frandsen at about 2.
/cynicism
The #1 greatest threat to America: BEARS
by norcalnick on Aug 21, 2009 10:07 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I know SSS and injury and all, but WOW! Aurilla has been worse in the minor
I R 5
by say hey nation on Aug 21, 2009 10:25 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Is his injury even real? I was under the impression it was a Pulled We Don’t Want To DFA This Worthless Doofus muscle.
Brian Sabean wants to kick tires. I want to kick Brian Sabean.
Adopted Giant: Fred "OBP and UZR, Dammit!" Lewis
by jcb9 on Aug 21, 2009 12:35 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
It is that sort of injury. The Giants just wanted aurilia to stick around for September so they would have him off the bench for the stretch run.
Brand new adoptive daddy for the Big Unit. Congrats go out to my son for his 300th win. Only 211 more wins until he catches Cy Young!
by Speedforthewin on Aug 21, 2009 1:04 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
It is that sort of injury. The Giants just wanted aurilia to stick around for September so they would have him rooting for the team while sitting on the bench for the stretch run.
Fixed. I hope.
by DesertFox on Aug 21, 2009 8:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wir müssen wissen — wir werden wissen!
by seesdifferent on Aug 21, 2009 10:42 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Quite frankly
Everybody on that list, save maybe Bowker, likely won’t be in the Giants’ future (maybe even in 2010) at all. They all had some major league time now but have collectively shown nada. It could be the limited playing time but I’m sure they knew they had to literally get on base every at-bat as a Giant once they were called up to stay a Giant since the offense is weak sauce.
I hope they bring enough seeds while hanging out in the dugout for a month.
Win the inning.
by Scooter Ellis on Aug 21, 2009 10:48 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
It may be true that none of those guys are part of the Giants’ future, but basing that on 32 ABs (Rohlinger) or 15 ABs (Guzman) at the major league level is silly. There are plenty of talented players in MLB who started their career with a wretched batting line through their first 50 or so ABs.
Meet my new son: Sundrendy Windster, on the Curacao-SF express (via Arizona).
by EliminateMe on Aug 21, 2009 12:39 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Bowkermania
Chris Dominguez: Bringing dingerz back to The Bay (In a while)
by CB30 on Aug 21, 2009 11:29 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
bowker should have been on this team all year.
No need to have traded for Garko. Sanchez is marginally helpful at second. Renteria and Winn have 2 homers each. I keep waiting for them to take one deep now and then, and it just never happens. Rowand needs to hit more than 10 dingers by this point of the season, but with a batting stance where he seems to be taking a dump, every time he steps in the batters’ box, how good can we expect him to hit. Try sitting on the potty, squeezing and swinging a major league bat against a low outside slider. You can see why he cannot hit one.
by bradleybear on Aug 21, 2009 11:31 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
The upgrade from Burriss/Downs at second to Sanchez is greater than marginal
by snafu on Aug 21, 2009 3:53 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Its about marginal times eleventy million. There isn’t even a exponent that can get that high
by m34josh on Aug 22, 2009 2:44 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Correct. Also, Bowker did not deserve to make this team out of spring training. Where would he have played? Rowand and Winn were not going to be benched and Bowker’s defense at first base is wretched. Left field? We already had Lewis and Nate (and Torres and Velez) who are both out of options. Plus, Bowker’s second half last year was pretty dismal. He deserved to be in AAA and he responded by having a splendid season.
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.
by cornball on Aug 22, 2009 12:42 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I do think that Bowker more than deserves a call-up. He probably deserves an actual shot at being our everyday left-fielder. I don’t think he’ll get it this year, but I do think that he might have a big hit or two in him.
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.
by cornball on Aug 22, 2009 12:45 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I voted for my son, of course.
I doubt he gets much time in the field, but will come up with some big pinch hits!
"We're in this thing!" My adopted Giant: "Raptor Jesus" Guzman, "Sweet Jesus" Guzman and Jesus H. Guzman.
by Goofus on Aug 21, 2009 11:57 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I didn’t vote for him, but I would love to have Guzman coming off the bench to PH.
Giant Dirtbags: John Bowker, Steve Hammond. MIA List: Todd Jennings, Brian Anderson
Wronghanded Affeldt pitches right
by Giant among Angels on Aug 21, 2009 12:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I believe in the Goofus Plan!
Brand new adoptive daddy for the Big Unit. Congrats go out to my son for his 300th win. Only 211 more wins until he catches Cy Young!
by Speedforthewin on Aug 21, 2009 1:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I like it. He can have Nate’s spot as awesome-pinch-hitting-guy so Nate can return to awesome-showing-off-his-cannon-for-an-arm guy
by m34josh on Aug 21, 2009 1:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Other
NONE. They all suck.
Tim Lincecum will win 1 Cy Young, and 11 Tim Lincecums. He's already got his one.
by icantdrive55 on Aug 21, 2009 12:55 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
A cogent and well-thought out argument!
Brian Sabean wants to kick tires. I want to kick Brian Sabean.
Adopted Giant: Fred "OBP and UZR, Dammit!" Lewis
by jcb9 on Aug 21, 2009 1:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
My point was
If they were any good, and actually going to make some impact on this season, don’t you think they would be up and doing it already? It’s not like this is the ‘27 Yankees offense and we just can’t find a slot for these guys. If any of them could play even a little better than their replacements, who suck themselves, they would already be here and doing it.
Tim Lincecum will win 1 Cy Young, and 11 Tim Lincecums. He's already got his one.
by icantdrive55 on Aug 22, 2009 8:21 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wrong. Bowker got 33 AB to prove that he was better, and then Sabean sent him down.
by North Side Chicago Expatriate Giants Fan on Aug 22, 2009 1:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wrong. You’re laboring under the mistaken impression that the team’s roster is being managed in order to maximize its baseball results, rather than justify its individual salary decisions.
Sergio Romo: striking out professional hitters since 2005. And winner of the 2012 NL Fireman of the Year Award!
by Lyle on Aug 25, 2009 6:09 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Suck it
Russell Martin
Skinny cooks?
I don't trust em.
by LargeFarva on Aug 23, 2009 10:23 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Gotta be Torres
He’s the only one who’s been helpful to the Giants this season. I’m picturing a Dave Roberts-style key stolen base to jump start a rally in a Dodgers/Rockies series.
by thethrillisgone on Aug 21, 2009 1:30 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
which one will he be playing for?
These are my principles. If you don't like them, I have others. -Groucho Marx
by RDreamer on Aug 21, 2009 1:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Jesus, fine—
Correction: a series against the Dodgers or Rockies.
Have I satisfied the Literal-Minded Police?
by thethrillisgone on Aug 21, 2009 1:38 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
yes, thank you for clarifying
These are my principles. If you don't like them, I have others. -Groucho Marx
by RDreamer on Aug 21, 2009 1:46 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sorry, not funny enough to register on the ole Sarcasm-o-Meter.
Guess that makes me the Verbal Irony Police.
by thethrillisgone on Aug 21, 2009 1:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
What about Connor Gillaspie
After all, isn’t he contractually obligated to be called up?
Still the loving, adoptive father of Hector Sanchez. And who doesn't love switch-hitting catchers with power and patience?
by tedfordfan on Aug 21, 2009 2:38 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
He was last year, but that was believed to be an under the table deal to avoid giving him an out and out ML deal. His play certainly doesn’t warrant a call up and there has been no indication he will be.
Brand new adoptive daddy for the Big Unit. Congrats go out to my son for his 300th win. Only 211 more wins until he catches Cy Young!
by Speedforthewin on Aug 21, 2009 2:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Unless we go into a nose-dive between now and Sept. 8, I think that they’ll all get called up to beef up the bench, with the possible exception of Downs. Having F. Sanchez now, and considering Downs’s relatively weak bat and glove, and all those other RH bats makes him unlikely to get any ABs.
"There ain’t much to being a ballplayer, if you’re a ballplayer." - Honus Wagner
by Fla-Giant on Aug 21, 2009 2:51 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
“Downs’ relatively weak bat…”?? What makes you think that?
Sergio Romo: striking out professional hitters since 2005. And winner of the 2012 NL Fireman of the Year Award!
by Lyle on Aug 25, 2009 6:11 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Pitchers will help more
We’ll definitely see Joaquin and Hinshaw. Probably Pucetas.
Fulfilling your Gus Benusa needs since 2009!
by Giantsfan4life on Aug 21, 2009 4:32 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Brian Bocock
Aaron King is still my homeboy... iffy mechanics and all
If Dustin Pedroia played in Seattle, not many people would be talking about him.
GET THAT VORP SH!T OUTTA HERE!!!
by baetown415 on Aug 21, 2009 10:42 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Don’t block the Bocock!
Utter frustration and futility.
by Johnny Disaster on Aug 22, 2009 3:28 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Bowker back to his bench duties ( tell he is over 30).
Should Neal (before Zod) he a couple P.A.’s as a reward?
That’s it! Katie bar the door for this 79 win team is star crossed! And I am loving it.
by daveinexile on Aug 22, 2009 7:34 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
That would be a nice touch to give Neal a couple PAs.
by North Side Chicago Expatriate Giants Fan on Aug 22, 2009 1:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Chose “Other” because I really don’t see anything impacting this offense significantly the rest of the way — it is what it is.
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.
by Roger on Aug 22, 2009 8:27 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Torres
He’ll steal some important base or score from first or something after pinch running for Garko.
co-dad of IshikaBOOM w/AfDC.
Ishikawa, let the boy hit against lefties.
by kennv on Aug 23, 2009 10:56 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
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