minor lines, 9/17/11
by steve S on Sep 18, 2011 11:12 PM PDT
in They Might Be Giants
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PrintSaturday playoff highlight from the Giants farm: Johnny Monell doubled twice.
AA: Richmond lost to New Hampshire 4-3
(losing the best-of-five championship series in four games)
Richmond: RF Francisco Peguero: 2 for 4, SO, E
Richmond: DH Johnny Monell: 2 for 4, 2 2B
Richmond: SP Justin Fitzgerald: 6.0 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 9 K--1 HB
New Hampshire: SP Deck McGuire: 3.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 3 K
Monell had his 3rd and 4th doubles of the playoffs. Offensively, he was the Flying Squirrels' better hitter in the post-season with a .478 AVG. Peguero also had two hits. He was one of six Squirrels to hit better than .300 in the post-season.
Fitzgerald met the minimum requirements for a so-called quality start (3 ER in 6.0 IP), while striking out one third of his 27 batters. He had as many as 9 K just once in his last ten regular season starts. He threw 110 pitches (67 strikes). McGuire, whom the Blue Jays selected eleventh overall a year ago, was limited to just 3.0 IP, while throwing 55 pitches (35 strikes). He had made a brief relief appearance earlier in the series.
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Who’s in AAA next year, Monell or H. Sanchez?
Personally I think Monell acquitted himself pretty well in AA—he didn’t light the world on fire, he had some hot and cold months, but overall he was solid for a catcher—plus given his age he can’t really afford to repeat a level, and Sanchez is still super young.
So I’d line them up like this:
AAA: Monell
AA: Sanchez
and for what it’s worth:
A: Susac
MLB: Posey & Stewart
Mr. Flibble is very cross.
I wonder how much longer Monell will be a Catcher in the system (or at least a full-time catcher). He had a boatload of PB and E’s this season, and I don’t believe I’ve ever heard anything particularly complimentary about his defense. It seems to me that if he has a ticket to any kind of major league life it’s as a Mark Sweeney kind of LH bat off the bench. Might as well start giving him a 1B and LF glove and move him around a bit.
I suspect Joseph becomes the primary C at Richmond and they put Sanchez back in AAA. Monell becomes a C/1B/DH/OF type in Fresno.
MY DAD WAS WRONG!
MY BOY NEEDS TO THROW HARDER!
I agree with Roger. Hector should be at Fresno to start the season.
On the subject of organization catchers, what do you guys think of Mike Murray?
Free Brandon Crawford!
I don’t think that the Giants see Murray as a catcher going forward. He didn’t even get 1 inning behind the plate in S-K this summer even though he was only competing against Burkhart and Staley for playing time. If Murray’s going to make it to the majors it seems like he’ll have to be a DH/1B type of guy.
"There ain’t much to being a ballplayer, if you’re a ballplayer." - Honus Wagner
Keep an eye on my son, Jake "The Jacksonville Rifle" Dunning. From SS to the mound - exclusively toeing the rubber since March 2010.
I think that Roger’s got it pegged. I can’t see Hector not starting out in Fresno after getting so much love in the majors in September. Between Hector, Tommy Boy and Susac the Giants have one hell of a stable of top-of-the line catching prospects – really exciting. Remember to keep an eye on Drew Stiner too. He’s a long-term project, but he has an advanced defender for a HS kid, and he shows potential at the plate.
"There ain’t much to being a ballplayer, if you’re a ballplayer." - Honus Wagner
Keep an eye on my son, Jake "The Jacksonville Rifle" Dunning. From SS to the mound - exclusively toeing the rubber since March 2010.
I think Sanchez goes to Fresno. Monell is a non prospect. I also see the team signing a vet backup for the big team. I don’t think you can assume Buster will be catching Opening Day.
Buster Posey: still better than Eli and Stewart, even with a broken ankle.
by rxmeister on Sep 19, 2011 9:31 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Looks like the Squirrels lost in the top of the ninth on a Peguero error.
"Don't trust anyone under the age of 30" - Brian Sabean
by Smotheredinhugs on Sep 19, 2011 4:27 AM PDT reply actions
Yep
He misplayed a single and let the winning run score from first base.
There was a lot of poor defense and spotty pitching (except for Augusta) in the playoffs for the Giants farm system teams this year.
"There ain’t much to being a ballplayer, if you’re a ballplayer." - Honus Wagner
Keep an eye on my son, Jake "The Jacksonville Rifle" Dunning. From SS to the mound - exclusively toeing the rubber since March 2010.
Yeah – it just seemed like a heartbreaking way to end the 2011 Minor Lines.
"Don't trust anyone under the age of 30" - Brian Sabean
by Smotheredinhugs on Sep 19, 2011 9:46 AM PDT up reply actions
Arizona Fall League
I see Harper and Trout are on the Scorpion roster for the AFL. Does anyone know who the Giants are putting on the team ? I’ll be over there and can’t wait to watch.
by Stitchman on Sep 19, 2011 5:43 AM PDT via mobile reply actions
Crawford, Brown, and Panik will be the position players. I don’t believe the pitchers have been named yet.
MY DAD WAS WRONG!
MY BOY NEEDS TO THROW HARDER!
Thank You Steve
It’s been another great year of minors discussions, even though for the first time in a few years, the system does not have a minor league championship to speak of.
Have a great offseason!
"The knowledge of the game is inversely proportional to the price of the seat." ---Bill Veeck. •Read My Blarrrgh...er, um....Comic. That doesn't really come across so well when said sarcastically. The Lunatic Fringe•
by BruteSentiment on Sep 19, 2011 7:06 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs
Yes Steve
I can’t offer big enough appreciation for all the work you do. Minor lines is my favorite place to hang out and I hope I always remember to behave well in your living room. Also I hope that next year you’ll have the time to take part in the discussions a little more though I certainly understand if that’s not the case. Thanks for providing us with all of this info and the place to kick it all around. You’re the best!
MY DAD WAS WRONG!
MY BOY NEEDS TO THROW HARDER!
by Roger on Sep 19, 2011 8:18 AM PDT reply actions 3 recs
+infinity
Great work again Steve. Very much appreciated!
"There ain’t much to being a ballplayer, if you’re a ballplayer." - Honus Wagner
Keep an eye on my son, Jake "The Jacksonville Rifle" Dunning. From SS to the mound - exclusively toeing the rubber since March 2010.
oops... was supposed to be this:
Yes, Thanks Steve. I love hanging around in your living room, too. I wasn’t much of a prospect maven before, but hanging out here has been invaluable, and I love it now.
Yeah, ranking season's here
and I’m not talking TuTone.
Clayton Blackburn makes BA’s AZL prospect list at #4. Joan Gregorio #18. One other Giants farmhand got less welcome press, as they noted that league MVP Jose Cuevas “was extremely old for the AZL and does not profile as a prospect.”
Bad news that Crick didn’t make the Top 20, as they will usually defer to draft position at these lowest levels. Unless he didn’t throw enough innings to qualify which is definitely possible. Have to ask about him in the chat this afternoon.
MY DAD WAS WRONG!
MY BOY NEEDS TO THROW HARDER!
Ah yes, and taking the time to actually read the accompanying piece, I see that’s so since they note that of the 4 1st rounders to appear in the AZL none qualified for the list and only Kevin Matthews came close. Upon research I see that Matthews had 12 IP in the league, while Crick only had 7 IP, so it follows that he wasn’t eligible either.
MY DAD WAS WRONG!
MY BOY NEEDS TO THROW HARDER!
I don’t know if you saw it Roger, but Crick was quoted as saying that the Giants started tweaking his mechanics after he started pitching in the AZL this summer. That explains why they held him out of competition for a few weeks after his first 3 or 4 assignments. It went unsaid, but i think that that also likely explains why he seemed to have worse control of his pitches in the few appearances that he had in late August.
"There ain’t much to being a ballplayer, if you’re a ballplayer." - Honus Wagner
Keep an eye on my son, Jake "The Jacksonville Rifle" Dunning. From SS to the mound - exclusively toeing the rubber since March 2010.
Awesome. Thanks, Fla. Let’s hope that tweaking is a little more successful than past efforts with Wheeler and Bumgarner (and I’ll not even mention Graham).
MY DAD WAS WRONG!
MY BOY NEEDS TO THROW HARDER!
Crick is down in Scottsdale right now working on it some more and getting ready for the AZ Instructional League play. All the participants arrived by this past Saturday. Confirmed participants so far are:
Susac, Oropesa, Crick, Kickham and Rosin
Clayton Blackburn will not be participating. The Giants told him that he pitched enough this summer, so they want him to stay home and take a break.
"There ain’t much to being a ballplayer, if you’re a ballplayer." - Honus Wagner
Keep an eye on my son, Jake "The Jacksonville Rifle" Dunning. From SS to the mound - exclusively toeing the rubber since March 2010.
Just a hunch, but I think that he will probably get 1 more shot at being a starter in 2012 or 2013. If the stable of bullpen arms in the majors and minors didn’t look so stacked then they would likely try to rush him to the majors as a reliever.
"There ain’t much to being a ballplayer, if you’re a ballplayer." - Honus Wagner
Keep an eye on my son, Jake "The Jacksonville Rifle" Dunning. From SS to the mound - exclusively toeing the rubber since March 2010.
Huh. I thought all the lower league farmhands reported for instructional league, so they could inculcate the kids on the way the organization wants them to do things, if nothing else. After all, those PFPs aren’t just going to cover first themselves.
MY DAD WAS WRONG!
MY BOY NEEDS TO THROW HARDER!
Yeah, I was just noting the guys that I saw confirm on twitter. Most of the guys below AA ball are usually there, but the Giants have sat pitchers out in the past when they think they’ve thrown enough for the season.
I just saw that Megenthaler is already in camp and that Steve Harrold is flying in today. I think that this means Harrold won’t be sent to the AFL in October.
"There ain’t much to being a ballplayer, if you’re a ballplayer." - Honus Wagner
Keep an eye on my son, Jake "The Jacksonville Rifle" Dunning. From SS to the mound - exclusively toeing the rubber since March 2010.
2 familiar names on the list
7. Duanel Jones – Padres
14. Jake Sisco – Indians
The Giants signed Jones to a big bonus (over $1M) as an international FA back in late 2009, but then voided his contract when the MLB suspended him for drug use in April 2010. The Pads swooped in and signed him for $900K.
The Giants drafted Sisco in the 29th round of the 2010 draft out of a Modesto-area high school. They never appeared close to signing a deal and he ended up pitching for Merced JuCo in 2011. He had some buzz as a sleeper pick going into June draft, but I think everbody was surprised that the Indians popped him in the 3rd round. Most saw it as an overreach for signability reasons.
"There ain’t much to being a ballplayer, if you’re a ballplayer." - Honus Wagner
Keep an eye on my son, Jake "The Jacksonville Rifle" Dunning. From SS to the mound - exclusively toeing the rubber since March 2010.
Wow, that’s seems really high for Blackburn. He has to be the biggest surprise in the league this year. Did they post the comments about the top 20 guys yet, or do they just have the rankings up? If so, can you please share what they wrote about Blackburn and Gregorio with us peon non-subscribers?
"There ain’t much to being a ballplayer, if you’re a ballplayer." - Honus Wagner
Keep an eye on my son, Jake "The Jacksonville Rifle" Dunning. From SS to the mound - exclusively toeing the rubber since March 2010.
What’s the ethics on posting subscriber only info?
I’ll try not to be egregious:
Blackburn: commands 4 pitches, fb 91-93 commands to both sides of plate, very high “pitching maturity”, doesn’t appear to be much physical projection left; ceiling #3 starter but very high floor.
Gregorio: a6 6’7" 180 lbs needs to put strenght on frame which could boost fb (which sits at 90 but has flashed 94). Low 3/4 angle release, lots of sink. Possible future as setup man.
MY DAD WAS WRONG!
MY BOY NEEDS TO THROW HARDER!
I’m in about the same boat as you there. If you want to hope for any more, I would say that you could maintain some skepticism on the issue of “not much physical projection left” which gets into one of less reliable areas of scouting (the overreliance on a single body type for pitchers). I believe they’re saying “he’s not that tall and on the chubby side and nothing good will ever come of that.” But we know that a similar scouting report (plus less than desirable HS work habits) led to Strasburg going undrafted out of HS and we know that that wasn’t the final verdict on his physical projection. Blackburn is 18 after all and things happen to 18 year old bodies.
But without dreaming for the stars, I’d agree it’s a pretty good scouting report for a 16th rounder and I think Fla’s right about expecting to see him in the Sally rotation next year, which is very good news.
MY DAD WAS WRONG!
MY BOY NEEDS TO THROW HARDER!
Good points here – In regards to the ceiling projections – I’ll go farther and say that any 18 y.o. who whose FB sits at “91-93 and commands 4 pitches” should just be given a “potential front of the rotation” classification. The caveats can come after the potential when they’re that young, body and work ethic can change for the better or worse at that age pretty easily. The ability to adjust and hone their craft will reveal themselves as they move up the ladder.
"Don't trust anyone under the age of 30" - Brian Sabean
by Smotheredinhugs on Sep 19, 2011 10:08 AM PDT up reply actions
I wouldn’t quite go that far, because a 91-93 mph fb isn’t necessarily a plus fb, and that’s certainly the bedrock of a top of the line. In fact, In general, I think a #1 ceiling is defined as having three plus pitches or two plus pitches with at least one of them being plus plus. Command of 4 solid pitches with one of them being plus is a typical #2-3 starter ceiling and that’s what they’re essentially saying about Blackburn. No pluses anywhere, but a whole lot of solid to above average.
MY DAD WAS WRONG!
MY BOY NEEDS TO THROW HARDER!
agreed
Although it does appear that his FB must hqve some heavy sink to it based on his GO/AO ratio. A sinker-ball pitcher that throws 91-93 is a lot more projectable than a guy with just the typocal FB.
"There ain’t much to being a ballplayer, if you’re a ballplayer." - Honus Wagner
Keep an eye on my son, Jake "The Jacksonville Rifle" Dunning. From SS to the mound - exclusively toeing the rubber since March 2010.
Yeah absolutely. His GO/AO was at least as crazy as his K/BB. Both ratios were extremely in his favor. It’s pretty unusual to look at an 18 year old pitcher and say he has a high floor. All in all very encouraging. Unfortunately I guess by the time they put up the link for the chat I’d already been called away to a meeting that lasted forever and didn’t get to pose any questions for the chat. I really wanted to ask about Crick. The only Giants related question was about Sim, and the answer wasn’t that favorable (“scouts have him down as an organizational guy”) although Mike Caldwell raved about his defensive abilities.
MY DAD WAS WRONG!
MY BOY NEEDS TO THROW HARDER!
Thanks Roger
Yeah, I meant to specify that I was looking for a thumbnail sketch. I didn’t expect you to do a complete cut-and-paste.
Blackburn: looks like the Giants found a hidden gem in the 16th round. I have to believe that he starts in Augusta next year with that type of profile.
Gregorio: I forgot that he was that tall. He has some nice upside, but is a longshot. Being a lefty (I’m pretty sure) should help a bit.
"There ain’t much to being a ballplayer, if you’re a ballplayer." - Honus Wagner
Keep an eye on my son, Jake "The Jacksonville Rifle" Dunning. From SS to the mound - exclusively toeing the rubber since March 2010.
Gregorio’s always been listed as a RHP on MiLB. I’ve never seen him but i assume that’s correct.
MY DAD WAS WRONG!
MY BOY NEEDS TO THROW HARDER!
Hey, Roger
I see that they have the Giants-specific report posted now. I believe that’s the one where they rate thngs like ‘best FB’, ‘best breaking ball’, ‘best power hitter’, ‘best OF arm’, etc.
Anything stand out in that report that you care to share.
"There ain’t much to being a ballplayer, if you’re a ballplayer." - Honus Wagner
Keep an eye on my son, Jake "The Jacksonville Rifle" Dunning. From SS to the mound - exclusively toeing the rubber since March 2010.
No surprises
Best hitter: Gary Brown
Best pitcher: Eric Surkamp
Keep an eye on: Joe Panik
To me, this was the money quote (referring to Panik):
Although some scouts viewed Joe Panik as a reach with the Giants’ first-round pick in June, they might have changed their minds after watching the scrappy St. John’s infielder destroy the short-season Northwest League.
Free Brandon Crawford!
oh god he's scrappy
Gigante. Campeón. Pumpkin. Andrés Torres.
Dursh nerf darsh narf. Poop.
He's really good! He's an injury risk! But he's really good! But he'll be expensive! But he's really good! But he's an injury risk!
Joe Panik, the Brian Sabean Prospect Wet-Dream
You never knew scrappy could be so hot
by OrgoneDonor on Sep 19, 2011 10:15 PM PDT up reply actions
Excuse my ignorance . . .
. . . of the low-level minors, but isn’t that a rather easy level at which to start a college guy?
Professional baseball analyst since 1980.
Wir sind gewohnt, daß die Menschen verhöhnen was sie nicht verstehn.—Goethe
Yeah the NWL is a fairly soft landing for a player as polished as Panik
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Writing about the MLB Draft at MLBBonusBaby
by Gobroks on Sep 20, 2011 1:05 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Had they chosen to keep him there all season, it seems highly likely that San Diego’s Cory Spangenberg (who put up a 1.080 OPS in 25 games before going on to a more pedestrian .710 in 47 games in the Midwest League) would have been the league MVP. But that shouldn’t take anything away from Panik’s performance, which certainly was highly encouraging. The contact rates were really outstanding (consider that Panik had only 10 more K’s than Spangenburg in nearly 200 more PA).
MY DAD WAS WRONG!
MY BOY NEEDS TO THROW HARDER!
Yeah Panik's debut was very encouraging
Showing not only good patience and contact but also transitioning to wood and not showing too much fatigue. I’ll be very interested to read what BA writes about his defense
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by Gobroks on Sep 20, 2011 11:30 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Yeah, seems likely he’s a 2b in the making but that’s hardly a bad place to have a potentially above average bat. Fwiw I asked Badler yesterday to compare Paniks debut with Bichettes and he said he liked them both but thought Panik was a lot better prospect.
MY DAD WAS WRONG!
MY BOY NEEDS TO THROW HARDER!
That makes sense
I don’t know if DBJ still has questions about his swing that he had coming into the year (though his debut was outstanding) but Panik still has a much better defensive profile (Bichette is maybe a 3B, probably a LF) and a more polished offensive game
Twitter Blog (Infrequently Updated)
Writing about the MLB Draft at MLBBonusBaby
Speaking of ranking season
There’s a decent chance I’m not going to have time to run the Community Prospect List this year (and honestly, I’m not that qualified to do it anyways). I’m not sure if anyone else is interested in taking it on. Ideally it would be someone who already has pretty solid knowledge of the system, but I guess that’s not 100% necessary.
Juan "Doesn't Cheat The Game" Perez, future CF for the World Champion San Francisco Giants.
"And besides, if I wanted to participate in a mindless patriotic ritual where my voice isn’t really heard, I would vote." - Chris Marcil
I can do it, if you can give me a quick tutorial
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Co-dad of Ryan Scoma with waelwulf, because we're progressive like that. He also tried hard.
by free f.p. #14 on Sep 19, 2011 3:03 PM PDT up reply actions
I can do it
I’ve got plenty of time during the offseason what with ignoring school and all.
Seth Rosin can hit the side of a barn with a baseball. From space.
Giants baseball: We're stupid enough to WIN that (TM)
Steve S comes in at the start of the MiLB season, provides us with great information, and then, once the season is over...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IkJqKOb0ZhY
Gigante. Campeón. Pumpkin. Andrés Torres.
Dursh nerf darsh narf. Poop.
He's really good! He's an injury risk! But he's really good! But he'll be expensive! But he's really good! But he's an injury risk!
I am going to miss Minor Lines a lot.
@legaleagle88
Giants Baseball: Why Not?
I thought Nate Schierholtz was cool before it was cool to think Nate Schierholtz was cool.
Me too...
Maybe someone can do a minor lines during the AFL season.
California Leaguers beware: Chris Gloor will strike you out faster than you can say "Quinnipiac", or he would have if he had pitched more than five innings this year before getting hurt...
by crazedcrustacean on Sep 19, 2011 4:55 PM PDT up reply actions
The top 20 AZL propects list from BA is out
http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/rankings/league-top-20-prospects/2011/2612367.html
Giants get two of the top 20. One is Clayton Blackburn at #4, the other is Joan Gregorio, who I’d never heard of, at 18.
Any prospect hounds want to give a rundown of these guys?
Gigante. Campeón. Pumpkin. Andrés Torres.
Dursh nerf darsh narf. Poop.
He's really good! He's an injury risk! But he's really good! But he'll be expensive! But he's really good! But he's an injury risk!
I'm late to this party
But thanks again Steve!
by North Side Chicago Expatriate Giants Fan on Sep 20, 2011 3:52 PM PDT reply actions
Thanks, Steve
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by Gobroks on Sep 20, 2011 11:31 PM PDT via mobile reply actions
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