This week's ST observations
by Fresburg on Feb 27, 2010 9:55 AM PST
Email
PrintI just spent every lunch this week and half-day on Wed and Friday at ST this week. Sadly, unless you're a scout, there's not much to report other than simple observations. Also, if you're looking for prospect updates, most of the minor leaguers practice on the back field, which isn't visible to the public, unless you find a peep hole.
Here are a couple items I observed:
Hitters
Having never seen Aubrey Huff in person before, dude is much thinner than I expected. He has plenty of pop in BP, but who doesn't (except most of the Giants). He seems to have a good vibe, and seemed to be joking around a lot with the guys. He has a quirky throwing motion, and his glovework needs some help. JT just picks them out of the dirt so effortlessly, and Huff looked like he hadn't done it for years, which was a little alarming.
DeRosa looks good for just coming off of wrist surgery. Mainly line drives, but the ball seemed to be coming off well.
Freddy Lewis doesn't seem to be as ahead as he was coming into spring last year. IIRC, last year he showed up early and "was in the best shape of his life". He doesn't appear to be on the same pace as last year, which is disappointing because I want him to do well to shut up Mavo on Baggs' blog.
Uribe looked like Uribe. He can definitely put them out in BP with the best of 'em.
Posey continued to impress. Not only did he hit the longest shot to left that I saw, but the guy runs everywhere he goes. So while all the vets are casually walking from the pen to the field, and the other rooks are so lost they don't even know where they're going, Posey runs in full catchers gear everywhere he's going. Man on a mission.
The final group of hitters to take BP was pretty uninspiring. Burress, Torres, Frandsen, and Rollinger (I think, maybe a Holm in there?). Like watching paint dry. I haven’t seen Bowker swing, but he’s there, just not with any of the main groups.
Pitchers
The Timmy v. Sandoval showdown was fun, but it's just too early for the hitters to have a chance against him. The Timmy v. Huff introduction was more enjoyable, as I don't believe Huff had ever seen him. It was pretty comical as Huff clearly didn't have a chance against him. Huff seemed to have a good laugh about it, especially after he swung through one of his filthy change ups. One of the coaches yelled to Huff something about how he's not gonna get any softballs, "This ain't the AL anymore!"
Steve Johnson’s stuff looked legit. He was pretty untouchable. I’m really intrigued by what he offers. Does he have a chance to make the team? Baggs mentioned Mota, who definitely looked good. I also liked what I saw from Tanner and Clark.
Romo and Wilson looked sharp. I’m getting pretty pathetic now that I can tell who’s coming in to pitch by watching their throwing motion as they warm up in the outfield pen. Even worse that I can point out the beat writers. I’m forgetting some pitchers too.
It was cool to see Affeldt running stadiums with his little boy, out amongst the fans. There are a lot of old annoying cubs fans who come out, so they probably had no clue who he was. Also, Mr. Bow Tie was out and about, but was incognito wearing a blue polo with no tie.
I’ll be out at the intersquad game on Monday for my lunch (and maybe a little longer, this game is my favorite part of the pre-spring).
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.
112 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
I’m beginning to hope more and more that Johnson makes the team.
Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.
"Out, out, Fred Lewis!" - JCTillam Gamerspeare
He started quite a bit over the last couple years, but I’ve only heard about him as a reliever. Is he in the running for the 5th starting job?
I hope he’d at least catch on in the pen befor Mota, but I read that haft report as well, ha made it sound like mota was a lock to make the pen.
Matt Cain: throwing complete game shutouts since 06'. No big deal.
by cain1rstballothof on Feb 27, 2010 1:37 PM PST up reply actions
Ugh. I'm not a fan of Mota.
I’m guessing the early depth chart for the pen looks like this:
CL-Wilson
SU-Affeldt
SU-Romo
MR-Medders
MR-Runzler
MR-Mota/Johnson/Joaquin/Hinshaw/NRI’s
LR-Loser of #5 starter battle (Joey, Wellemeyer, Pucetas, Johnson, BK Kim)
Kevin Frandsen: The best SS on the Giants roster
Hoping for BowkerMania to hit AT&T Park in 2010
I thought he did, but I could be wrong
I don’t think Kevin Cameron got an invite which is a mistake IMO
Kevin Frandsen: The best SS on the Giants roster
Hoping for BowkerMania to hit AT&T Park in 2010
I hope he doesn't
Because I’m an Orioles fan. But the Giants are a close second!
The O's are an exciting team
somewhat similar to the Giants-Good young pitching, cornerstone of the franchise catcher…now if we could just get that great young OF of Jones, Markakis & Reimold we would be set.
Somewhat related-Luke Scott was the guy I really wanted the Giants to aquire this year. Oh and when you signed Tejada you made one of reporters very sad.
Kevin Frandsen: The best SS on the Giants roster
Hoping for BowkerMania to hit AT&T Park in 2010
You have a thing for black and orange?
Wayne Rooney, 1/27/09: Cometh The Hour, Cometh The Man
by Useful_Idiot on Feb 28, 2010 2:45 PM PST up reply actions
Favorite holiday: Halloween.
Utter frustration and futility.
by Johnny Disaster on Feb 28, 2010 7:12 PM PST up reply actions
Was raised as an O’s fan in DC, but my uncle who introduced me to baseball is a life-long Giants fan, so yeah, got a thing for black and orange haha.
Then let me suggest:
Cincinnati Bengals
Oregon State University
Valencia FC
Dundee United FC
Philadelphia Flyers
Oklahome State University
British Columbia Lions
Kaizer Chiefs FC
Hull City AFC
Princeton University
…What am I forgetting…
Wayne Rooney, 1/27/09: Cometh The Hour, Cometh The Man
by Useful_Idiot on Feb 28, 2010 11:33 PM PST up reply actions
kelseyville high school
Les Plack = more chicks
Yahoo FFL champ 2009
Dingerz.exe League Champs 2009- The Rile Rods...managed by yours truly.
Chose the Saints and the under to win my bet with my ex gf...i'm on a roll.
by Headhunter Rollins on Mar 2, 2010 6:54 AM PST up reply actions
I'm not sure what the point of this is...
but Rec’d nonetheless
Kevin Frandsen: The best SS on the Giants roster
Hoping for BowkerMania to hit AT&T Park in 2010
Good write up. I take as much info as I can get, so feel free to write as much as you want
Its funny because fuck the dodgers
Agreed
Feel free to share whatever, and many thanks for doing so. I envy you your lunches.
"And we plead and we pray for a glimmer of day,
As the night folds its wings and descends, exposing the loose ends."
Proud adoptive parent of Sergio Romo. Looking forward to adopting Justin Smoak.
Thanks for a nice writeup.
So, when’s that Monday affair going down?
Looks like the Frankenstein sled will still be sporting a dead alternator as the stimulus funds don’t arrive until next Friday, so I may just pedal out there.
That’s from Sossaman/University, for you locals.
"I don’t know why people feel the need to come up with reasons 'why' for everything..." - Missing Barry
by victor frankenstein on Feb 27, 2010 12:22 PM PST reply actions
I usually get out there around 11am daily each year and have always caught a good part of the scrimmage.
I’ll already be out in Tempe for work, or else I’d offer a ride. I live out in SE Gilbert.
The SE corner of Gilbert and Baseline has both a decent coffeehouse and pool hall.
Consider it an open invitation.
"I don’t know why people feel the need to come up with reasons 'why' for everything..." - Missing Barry
by victor frankenstein on Feb 27, 2010 9:27 PM PST up reply actions
It’s good to read that Posey is trying to make an impression as a hard worker. Hopefully that sticks in Bochy’s head when it comes time for him to dole out playing time.
"Just another ahahahaha... laugher."
bok bok bok... BOCOCK!
No doubt Gerald will be the captain of the 2014 Giants – so it’s never too early to start setting a good example for the youngsters.
"And we plead and we pray for a glimmer of day,
As the night folds its wings and descends, exposing the loose ends."
Proud adoptive parent of Sergio Romo. Looking forward to adopting Justin Smoak.
Selfish showoff is going to wear himself down! Send him to the minors to get more experience.
-- Born Yesterday
Burriss, Torres, Frandsen, and Rohlinger, like watching paint dry.
Awesome scouting report, and so true.
They shouldn’t even have to have a looksee at those guys, the bench should be Lewis, Bowker, Uribe, Ishikawa, and Whiteside. If Vroom and Torres take Lewis and Bowker’s spots, that is just plain stupid. Burriss is a bust, and Frandsen I could see until FSanchez gets off the DL, but in no other situaish.
Matt Cain: throwing complete game shutouts since 06'. No big deal.
by cain1rstballothof on Feb 27, 2010 1:40 PM PST reply actions
You’re probably right as far as each individual player goes, but with this roster, I don’t really see how we can go with only 1 MI backup, seeing as both of the starters 1) creak with every step they take, and 2) kinda suck. I think they’re going to have to have more depth there than just Uribe. And actually, I think Torres is a great guy to have on the bench: fast, good instincts, best defensive OF we have, switch hitter, that’s a pretty perfect profile for a bench player.
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.
Torres kills lefties – With all the LHH outfielders we have I think he will make the squad…. I think it’s between Lewis and Bowker for the last spot and Bowker has an option
This
Plus Torres is a hell of defensive outfielder
"We're in this thing!" My adopted Giant: "Raptor Jesus" Guzman, "Sweet Jesus" Guzman and Jesus H. Guzman.
Totally agreed. Torres should definitely not be sniffing a starting spot, but he is exceedingly useful as a back-up outfielder, probably more so than Bowker, who can’t play center and has little value as a pinch-runner.
In the end, America will be remembered for three things: the Bill of Rights, jazz, and baseball.
+1
I think he should definitely get the back-up centerfielder job.
And plus when he hits home runs he just destroys the ball.
01.19.2010
r.i.p. buster posey
Huff -- get used to it
Saw him play at Camden Yards last year. He hit the ball hard but he’s slow and never looked smooth in the field (on the other hand, he never looked lost and kept his head in the game).
I’ve got my TMZ hook ups keeping an eye on him at the clubs, I’ll let you know his latest choice in designer jeans asap. No really, their work outs this week were really basic and hard to get anything out of. But Pablo’s glasses are classic, and Huff is a complete red neck (not that there’s anything wrong with that!).
thanks
if you can get a cell phone pic that would be great, I could print it and hang it on my wall, that would be the best.
by Into the Void on Feb 27, 2010 6:50 PM PST up reply actions
From the heat in Fla. my Bonds chicken melted.
More like disintegrated. ONe more souvineer into the sewage system or garbage dump. Steve Johnson already has a disease (syndrome) named after him. Or, was he named after the syndrome?
It’s a rash, dammit! Okay, not really, but still, it’s a skin thing!
When we started our pharmacology lectures, I was really confused when this side-effect called Stevens-Johnson syndrome kept coming up in association with anti-epileptic drugs. We hadn’t had derm or immunology and the pharm professors would just say things like, “Depakote can cause Stevens-Johnson syndrome and is a known teratogen. Topamax is another anti-epileptic”. It was very confusing. Then, when we had derm and immunology, it still wasn’t covered. It was very frustrating.
In the end, America will be remembered for three things: the Bill of Rights, jazz, and baseball.
Prediction
Before too long, Huff will be in left, Pablo at 1B, and Uribe our starting 3B. Ladies and gentlemen, your San Francisco Giants!
STEVE HOLM! refuses to be the odd man out.
My God
That’s brilliant! Nate is clearly too young to be given a starting role, so instead we’ll have two left fielders with veteran gamery presence!
The Giants will end up signing Nate’s father, who is pretty athletic himself. He surfs and is a regular skateboarder at 50.
"meh"
That’s disgusting is what that is.
by giantsfansince1981 on Mar 1, 2010 12:02 PM PST up reply actions
Bowker, at it again.
That’s a bad picture of today’s home run follow through.
"I don’t know why people feel the need to come up with reasons 'why' for everything..." - Missing Barry
by victor frankenstein on Mar 1, 2010 1:31 PM PST reply actions
Is he standing on top of the plate???
I don't know about that, to the groin.
by howtheyscored on Mar 1, 2010 1:51 PM PST up reply actions
My god, he is… you can clearly see the chalk line on the near side of his back foot.
I don't know about that, to the groin.
by howtheyscored on Mar 1, 2010 1:52 PM PST up reply actions
Those arms are barely long enough to reach from his body to the bat!
"We're in this thing!" My adopted Giant: "Raptor Jesus" Guzman, "Sweet Jesus" Guzman and Jesus H. Guzman.
And the catching situation looked like...well, I'll be polite.
"I don’t know why people feel the need to come up with reasons 'why' for everything..." - Missing Barry
by victor frankenstein on Mar 1, 2010 2:26 PM PST reply actions
PIC Caption
The Good (Posey), The bad (Whiteside) and the Ugly (Molina)
Kevin Frandsen: The best SS on the Giants roster
Hoping for BowkerMania to hit AT&T Park in 2010
Check out Uematsu!
Getting on the stripes bandwa – damn, some old guy got in the way… 
"I don’t know why people feel the need to come up with reasons 'why' for everything..." - Missing Barry
by victor frankenstein on Mar 1, 2010 2:35 PM PST reply actions
Wilson and the Upgrades Expensive Placeholders
/ducks flying projection…ile…whatever…
Guess which one of them said during calisthenics “Baseball is why I’m not in jail.”?
Prerequisite closer’s attitude?You make the call!
"I don’t know why people feel the need to come up with reasons 'why' for everything..." - Missing Barry
by victor frankenstein on Mar 1, 2010 2:52 PM PST reply actions
Is that wall promoting PIE?
You can't solve your problems with the same level of thinking that created the problems - Albert Einstein to Brian Sabean
No, that's a hotel.
The one to the right is pie.
"I don’t know why people feel the need to come up with reasons 'why' for everything..." - Missing Barry
by victor frankenstein on Mar 1, 2010 3:06 PM PST up reply actions
Valley Ho…Doesn’t hoe have an “e” in it?
You can't solve your problems with the same level of thinking that created the problems - Albert Einstein to Brian Sabean
Cutbacks.
"I don’t know why people feel the need to come up with reasons 'why' for everything..." - Missing Barry
by victor frankenstein on Mar 1, 2010 3:20 PM PST up reply actions
You mean they didn’t retire that number? SHENANIGANS!
Utter frustration and futility.
by Johnny Disaster on Mar 1, 2010 8:15 PM PST up reply actions
The Dirty.
Why is he practicing that particular pose? This could be good…
"I don’t know why people feel the need to come up with reasons 'why' for everything..." - Missing Barry
by victor frankenstein on Mar 1, 2010 3:04 PM PST reply actions
The BP pitcher.
Righetti warmed him up by playing catch with him.
I had to smile – those gloves were popping!
Guess the old guard still likes to air it out.
"I don’t know why people feel the need to come up with reasons 'why' for everything..." - Missing Barry
by victor frankenstein on Mar 1, 2010 3:20 PM PST reply actions
Darren Ford, about to triple off Tanner.
Folks, there’s a lot of VRRROOOOM! right there.
"I don’t know why people feel the need to come up with reasons 'why' for everything..." - Missing Barry
by victor frankenstein on Mar 1, 2010 3:33 PM PST reply actions
VROOOOOOOOM as a non-pejorative!
Ford, make it happen.
The Kids: Lewis, Posey, Sandoval, Bowker, Schierholtz, Frandsen, Ishikawa, Amezaga
Current Team: Rowand, Sanchez, DeRosa, Sandoval, Huff, Molina, Renteria, Schierholtz
The Kids' CHONE WAR projection= 12.7
Current Team's CHONE WAR projection= 12.6
Great pics...keep 'em coming
"We're in this thing!" My adopted Giant: "Raptor Jesus" Guzman, "Sweet Jesus" Guzman and Jesus H. Guzman.
There's one in every crowd.
"I don’t know why people feel the need to come up with reasons 'why' for everything..." - Missing Barry
by victor frankenstein on Mar 1, 2010 7:29 PM PST reply actions
The gray coif is Pedro Gomez, maintaining a closeness to Barry.
Not shown: The right Barry.
"I don’t know why people feel the need to come up with reasons 'why' for everything..." - Missing Barry
by victor frankenstein on Mar 1, 2010 10:14 PM PST reply actions
Pedro, GTFO
Giant Dirtbags: John Bowker, Steve Hammond. MIA List: Todd Jennings, Brian Anderson
Jeremy Affeldt induces DP's
by Giant among Angels on Mar 1, 2010 10:34 PM PST up reply actions
Say what you want about Frandsen, the man has great hair.
"I don’t know why people feel the need to come up with reasons 'why' for everything..." - Missing Barry
by victor frankenstein on Mar 1, 2010 10:17 PM PST reply actions
his achilles was his achilles
he’s a couple years older now, but if he can contribute, I’m not oppose to him backing up FSanchez and Renteria, even though I prefer Uribe.
Pequero action shot
"I don’t know why people feel the need to come up with reasons 'why' for everything..." - Missing Barry
by victor frankenstein on Mar 1, 2010 10:19 PM PST reply actions
Rohlinger action shot
"I don’t know why people feel the need to come up with reasons 'why' for everything..." - Missing Barry
by victor frankenstein on Mar 1, 2010 10:21 PM PST reply actions
Hensley Meulens, who looks pretty damned stout.
"I don’t know why people feel the need to come up with reasons 'why' for everything..." - Missing Barry
by victor frankenstein on Mar 1, 2010 10:27 PM PST reply actions
These two again.
BP is no serious test of a batter’s ability (although Gardner looked like he was 40 feet away)
So you’d think it’d be Mash – Up City…
Posey managed to park two over the LF wall. Whiteside put one out as well.
Bengie?
Uhh, none.
"I don’t know why people feel the need to come up with reasons 'why' for everything..." - Missing Barry
by victor frankenstein on Mar 1, 2010 10:34 PM PST reply actions
Does Molina look like he lost a few pounds?
"We're in this thing!" My adopted Giant: "Raptor Jesus" Guzman, "Sweet Jesus" Guzman and Jesus H. Guzman.
Black is slimming!
"I don’t know why people feel the need to come up with reasons 'why' for everything..." - Missing Barry
by victor frankenstein on Mar 2, 2010 3:18 PM PST up reply actions
Best shape of his life!
"We're in this thing!" My adopted Giant: "Raptor Jesus" Guzman, "Sweet Jesus" Guzman and Jesus H. Guzman.
either way
he claims his weight is not what makes him slow.
I think that’s Fairley taking a lead.
"I don’t know why people feel the need to come up with reasons 'why' for everything..." - Missing Barry
by victor frankenstein on Mar 1, 2010 10:39 PM PST reply actions
i doubt it
wouldn’t he have to get on base to be in the picture ?
i love your work, victor.
Fun With Numbers
OK, if you subtract Torres from Bowker and add Burriss you get…nine million dollars!
"I don’t know why people feel the need to come up with reasons 'why' for everything..." - Missing Barry
by victor frankenstein on Mar 1, 2010 10:48 PM PST reply actions
Summoning his inner Aceness, no doubt.
Or maybe he’s just becoming one with the markers, who really knows. 
Zito takes his stretching seriously – moreso than, say, Pablo – who was continuously joking around and surreptitiously cutting corners on his exercises.
But for all his devotion to limbering up, Barry walks like a man in pain.
"I don’t know why people feel the need to come up with reasons 'why' for everything..." - Missing Barry
by victor frankenstein on Mar 1, 2010 11:03 PM PST reply actions
“Don’t worry about it. Gwynn’s gut was likethis and he could still rake.”
"I don’t know why people feel the need to come up with reasons 'why' for everything..." - Missing Barry
by victor frankenstein on Mar 1, 2010 11:11 PM PST reply actions
Vic, I love you man
Aaron King is still my homeboy... iffy mechanics and all
McFAQ for all you newcomers out there.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
In Association With
Big League Stew - MLB - Yahoo! Sports
- Eric Hosmer redefines the Baltimore chop with infield double (Video)
- College player makes impossible over the fence catch to save tournament game (Video)
- Security!: Camden Yards guard collides with Royals’ Mike Moustakas
- The Juice: Nelson Cruz matches career high eight RBIs, Pujols stays hot in Seattle
- Benches clear at Fenway as Red Sox-Rays rivalry heats up
