minor lines, 8/29/07

by steve S on Aug 30, 2007 11:16 AM PDT

AAA: Fresno defeated Salt Lake 10-5

Fresno: 2B William Bergolla: 2 for 4, 2B, BB, SO
Fresno: SS Luis Figueroa: 4 for 5, 2B
Fresno: RF Nate Schierholtz: 2 for 4, 2B, SF
Fresno: 1B Lance Niekro: 3 for 5, HR, 2 2B
Fresno: LF Brian Horwitz: 1 for 2, 2 BB
Salt Lake: 3B Brandon Wood: 2 for 4, HR, 2B

Fresno: RHP Sun-Woo Kim: 7.0 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 5 K, 0 HR--2 WP
Fresno: RHP Matt Palmer: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 0 K, 0 HR
Fresno: LHP Erick Threets: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, 1 HR

Schierholtz raised his team-leading AVG to .333. Three veterans also had multi-hit games, as Bergolla, Figuero and Niekro raised their respective AVGs to .305, .298 and .293. Horwitz reached base three times, including two walks after having drawn just one walk previously this month. Wood, the Angels' top prospect who is noted for his power, connected for his 22nd HR and 24th double.

After struggling in the first half of the season, Kim has become a rather effective starter. Over his last ten starts, he has 55 H, 15 BB and 46 K in 65.0 IP with a 2.22 ERA. After one appearance with Connecticut, Palmer returned to the Grizzlies, making his third relief appearance of the season (with 25 starts). Threets' record was blemished by Woods' 9th inning HR.

AA: Connecticut lost to New Hampshire 7-1

Connecticut: LF Eugenio Velez: 0 for 4, 3 SO
Connecticut: DH Randy Ruiz: 2 for 4, 3B, SO
Connecticut: 3B Simon Klink: 2 for 4

Connecticut: LHP Eugene Espineli: 6.0 IP, 10 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, 1 HR--1 E
Connecticut: RHP Yosandy Ibanez: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 0 K, 0 HR--1 WP
Connecticut: RHP Robert Grace: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, 0 HR
New Hampshire: LHP Ricky Romero: 7.0 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 7 K, 0 HR--1 HB

Ruiz and Klink led the offense with two hits each, improving their AVGs to .309 and .258. The hat trick raised Velez's SO/AB ratio to 17.7%. That's modest, although one would hope for more contact from someone with his speed.

An ERA of 4.66 in five August starts has raised Espineli's season ERA to 3.56. Ibanez made just his third appearance since the end of June. After 18 appearances with Augusta this year, Grace made his debut with Connecticut in a perfect 9th inning. Romero, the 6th overall pick by the Blue Jays a few years ago, had one of his best starts of the season.

A+: San Jose lost to Lancaster 6-5

San Jose: 2B Travis Denker: 2 for 4, BB, SB
San Jose: 3B Mark Minicozzi: 2 for 4, HR, SO
San Jose: RF Michael Mooney: 2 for 3, 3B, SF, SO, SB
Lancaster: 1B Lars Anderson: 2 for 4

San Jose: RHP Henry Sosa: 4.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 6 K, 1 HR--1 WP
San Jose: RHP Taylor Wilding: 2.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, 0 HR

A very good game for Denker in his second game in the organization, although note quite as impressive as his 6 RBIs the previous night. Minicozzi connected for his 2nd HR of the year. Mooney raised his AVG to .248 and had his 20th SB. The Red Sox' 19-year-old Anderson had his third straight multi-hit game.

Returning to the rotation on nine days' rest, Sosa was limited to four innings. His ERA is nearly 4.00 since his promotion. Wilding suffered his 5th blown save as his ERA rose to 2.34.

A-: Augusta had an off-day
(their last scheduled off-day)

ssA: Salem-Keizer defeated Vancouver 4-1

Salem-Keizer: LF Garrett Baker: 1 for 4, HR, SO
Salem-Keizer: DH Tyler La Torre: 2 for 3, BB

Salem-Keizer: RHP Ricky Bauer: 5.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 2 K, 0 HR--1 HB
Salem-Keizer: RHP Steven Edlefsen: 3.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 4 K, 0 HR
Salem-Keizer: RHP Daniel Otero: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, 0 HR

La Torre, the only Volcano with a multiple-hit line, raised his AVG to .275. Baker connected for his 6th HR.

The 24-year-old Bauer improved his ERA to 3.23. He has made eight starts among fourteen relief appearances. Edlefsen, the 16th round pick, has compiled some rather notable stats over his 17 relief appearances. He has 13 H, 15 BB and 24 K in 31.1 IP with a 1.72 ERA and a 3.80 GO/AO ratio. Otero picked up his 19th save.

R: Giants defeated Padres 6-1
(their 9th straight win, helping to secure the second half title and send them to the AZL championship game)

Scottsdale: CF Dom Duggan: 3 for 5, 2 SB

Scottsdale: RHP Andrew Kerth: 3.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, 0 HR

With the second half title already clinched, nearly all the regulars had the day off. Duggan, the 32nd round pick, had three singles to raise his AVG to .292. He had an up-and-down season with a .406 AVG in June, a .205 AVG in July and a .357 AVG in August.

Kerth, the 22-year-old who signed as undrafted free agent, had the opportunity to start (on ten days' rest) after beginning his pro career with fourteen relief appearances. In his last appearance, he did manage to lower his BB/IP just below 0.50 and ERA below 4.00.

DSL: season already finished
(Giants won their division but were swept in the playoffs.)

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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Comments

Re: minor lines, 8/29/07

those're some gaudy offensive numbers for Fresno -- was Bartolo Colon pitching?? Oh, wait, he's going tonight.

Billy Hayes: Nine more big-league plate appearances than you.

by delorean on Aug 30, 2007 12:08 PM PDT reply actions

have you shared...

your opinion of denker with us yet, steve?

Flossing a dead horse

by kenshin1 on Aug 30, 2007 12:24 PM PDT reply actions

Re: have you shared...

I don't have much of an informed opinion to share at this point, but I sure like the results of the first two games. Is he a better prospect than Bocock? I'm interested to hear people's opinions too.

by steve S on Aug 30, 2007 9:25 PM PDT up reply actions

Bocock vs Denker

IMO, it's a real stretch to call Bocock a prospect at all. He hit just .223 for S-K last year, got off to a hot start in Low A this year, but had already started tailing off when he was promoted to SJ. He's hit just .220 for SJ. 23 errors is not exactly something to write home about on D either.

Now, Denker certainly has his flaws as a prospect, but he is definitely a prospect. I would probably rate him a grade C+ on Sickels' scale.

Short answer: Yes, Denker is a better prospect than Bocock and it's not close.

by DrBGiantsfan on Aug 30, 2007 11:45 PM PDT up reply actions

Re: Bocock vs Denker

Burriss has a similar amount of errors this year. I don't know that I'd look at that error total and disbelief what every scout or coach who's watched him play defense has written about him. His offensive game is weak, we know that, but I think you're putting a little too much faith in the ability to hit a few homers in the Cal League. I've been skeptical of Bocock and Burriss ability to hit in the high minors and I still am, and I don't know Denker that well, but a guy who's a throw in to an August Mark Sweeney deal is gonna have to show a few things before I'd make such a claim about him. I'll still put Bocock and Burriss over Denker for now.

My boy ain't fat, he's just big boned. Big bat, too.

by Roger on Aug 31, 2007 6:35 AM PDT up reply actions

Re: Bocock vs Denker

First of all, Denker's offense is not limited to a few HR's in the Cal League.

Secondly, I might rank Burriss a bit ahead of Bocock, but not by much until he shows he can hit at a higher level.

I would probably rank them: Denker/Burriss/ Bocock for now.

I think a few folks got a warm fuzzy feeling from Bocock's surprise start out of the gate in Augusta and are having a hard time letting go, a bit like how hard it's been for the Marcus Sanders flame to die down.

by DrBGiantsfan on Aug 31, 2007 7:29 AM PDT up reply actions

Re: Bocock vs Denker

Yes, I overstated a bit for emphasis. Denker was once spoken of as having a potential 20-HR bat in the major leagues. In reality, the only particularly distinguised seasons he has had were a repeat of Rookie Leagues in his second season, and a very good year in the Sally in his third season. He's currently in his 3rd season in Hi A ball.

Much more problematic is the fact that he has absolutely no defensive aptitude at all and this has been remarked upon for years (which is why the Dodgers kept him so long at A ball, trying to work on his defensive game. He has been desribed as having no range, stiff movements, and a poor arm even for 2B, and is also a terrifically slow base runner. So he's in essense a DH without a DH's bat.

I know the Dodgers have had a packed system the last few years, but it's worth something to note that only once in Denker's career has he made the Dodgers Top 30 in BA's prospect handbooks (two years ago). He is a classic PTBNL, a fringe fringe prospect with almost no plus skills and several minus ones.

My boy ain't fat, he's just big boned. Big bat, too.

by Roger on Aug 31, 2007 7:48 AM PDT up reply actions

Not Great

I think I said I'm not enthralled by Denker as a prospect, just that he's more of a prospect than Brian Bocock. That's a pretty low hurdle to pass.

by DrBGiantsfan on Aug 31, 2007 9:26 AM PDT up reply actions

Re: Bocock vs Denker

He may have spent a long time at A ball, but he's still barely 22, younger than Burris or Bocock.

In his two partial seasons in the SAL (aged 19-21), Denker hit around .290/.418/.520. That's pretty impressive, and he finally seems to have kept it going at high-A this year.

Too bad about the glove, though.

by Evan on Aug 31, 2007 9:31 AM PDT up reply actions

Re: Bocock vs Denker

Bocock's defense is solid. I've seen him play a little bit, and he's immensely aggressive, which would explain some of his errors. He also was throwing some on the run (close plays, but nevertheless) instead of setting up and throwing. Right now he's a bit more Derek Jeter than Adam Everett (defensively, of course), but that'll change as he gets more experienced. He has a plus arm and there's no question (unlike our other MINF prospects) as to whether or not he can stay at the position. Every time I read a report on Bocock, it's the same: "If he can hit .260 in the Majors, he'll be making a ton of money." I don't see anything wrong with an Adam Everett-type player at SS, despite the power emphasis that's been put on SS relatively recently.

Denker most likely won't be able to stay at 2B, anyway. He's more or less a future LF, and 15-20 HR in LF isn't that great unless you're stealing 25+ bases.

Given our organizational "logjam" of OF prospects, isn't a player like Bocock more valuable to us than Denker?

Brian Anderson: converting saves and dominating as best he can.

by JT Jordan on Aug 31, 2007 8:33 AM PDT up reply actions

Johnnie Lemaster Lite

i see people are getting nostalgic for the days of Johnnie Lemaster.

by DrBGiantsfan on Aug 31, 2007 9:23 AM PDT up reply actions

Sharlon Schoop

If you are looking for a good field/no hit SS prospect, I'd prefer Schoop who is 2 years younger than Brian Bocock and will probably hit a lot better than .220 by the time he gets to San Jose at age 22.

by DrBGiantsfan on Aug 31, 2007 9:29 AM PDT up reply actions

Re: Sharlon Schoop

The knock on Schoop is his tendency to lay back on the ball and depend too much on his arm to get the outs. It works sometimes but other days it's way too close.

Bocock's defense is very solid and this year is an aberration. He is much better defensively than Burriss and having seen them both play I say that with conviction.

by RichH on Aug 31, 2007 9:50 AM PDT up reply actions

Schoop vs. Bocock

Thanks for the eyewitness observation, Rich. And welcome to MCC.

The SF Giants: agressively promoting young talent since 2008.

by Lyle @ McCovey Chronicles on Aug 31, 2007 11:53 AM PDT up reply actions

Re: Bocock vs Denker

The thing is, there aren't really any Adam Everett types -- there is only Adam Everett. He's one of the greatest fielders in baseball history.

And for what it's worth, horrible though he is as a hitter, Everett's track record in the minors was more impressive than that of Bocock and Burris. At their age, he was holding his own in AA.

by Evan on Aug 31, 2007 9:36 AM PDT up reply actions

Re: Bocock vs Denker

Hey for what it's worth, Omar Vizquel's career totals in the minors were a pretty underwhelming .241/.321/.319. Of course, I've been arguing all year that Burriss and Bocock weren't likely to survive offensively even in the high minors, much less the majors, so I'm not gonna go out of my way to defend them now. I just don't want anyone thinking that Denker's the solution to our middle infield issues.

My boy ain't fat, he's just big boned. Big bat, too.

by Roger on Aug 31, 2007 1:35 PM PDT up reply actions

Solution?

Who said anything about Denker being the solution to anything? Geez Loueez! Any suggestions I've made about him being a better prospect than Brian Bocock are much more of a statement about Bocock than about Denker. Still, a .295/.370/.450 line or whatever Denker has put up is better than decent. While we're at it, where are all the Eddy lovers who have long insisted that it doesn't matter whether you can field a position as long as you can hit?

by DrBGiantsfan on Aug 31, 2007 3:30 PM PDT up reply actions

Re: Solution?

Probably waiting for EME to be healthy and hit.

by North Side Chicago Expatriate Giants Fan on Aug 31, 2007 3:38 PM PDT up reply actions

Still Waiting

Well, I'm still waiting too. I guess I'm just a bit more skeptical about it ever happening than some folks who still want to rank Eddy in the Giants top 10 prospects.

by DrBGiantsfan on Aug 31, 2007 3:41 PM PDT up reply actions

Me likey some of that EME

Presently, at best, EME is nothing more than a DH. Would think SF would hone his defensive skills as a 1b under the tutelage of JT. If cannot handle any position defensively then possibly use EME as part of a trade.

by wilriv21 on Aug 31, 2007 3:48 PM PDT up reply actions

Addendum

Just as a point of reference, here is a list of full season prospects, excluding the AAAA players in Fresno with a higher OPS than Denker's this year: Nate Schierholtz, Fred Lewis, John Bowker. 3, that's right, 3 players in the full season leagues who have put up better numbers than Denker. Again, not saying he's a savior, but he's a helluva lot better prospect than Brian Bocock and a helluva lot more than we ever could have expected to get for Mark Sweeney.

by DrBGiantsfan on Aug 31, 2007 3:39 PM PDT up reply actions

Re: minor lines, 8/29/07

I guess it's unlikely now that Bumgarner and Fairley will make their pro debuts this year. Where do you see them starting off next season?

Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.

by jponry on Aug 30, 2007 12:25 PM PDT reply actions

Re: minor lines, 8/29/07

They're both signed to 2008 contracts, so they won't be playing until the AFL.

Brian Anderson: converting saves and dominating as best he can.

by JT Jordan on Aug 30, 2007 8:07 PM PDT up reply actions

Re: minor lines, 8/29/07

I don't think they are playing in the AFL. Has any high schooler other than Delmon Young ever made his pro debut in the AFL?

by steve S on Aug 30, 2007 9:24 PM PDT up reply actions

Re: minor lines, 8/29/07

Sorry, I meant to say Arizona Instructional League.

Brian Anderson: converting saves and dominating as best he can.

by JT Jordan on Aug 31, 2007 8:57 AM PDT up reply actions

Re: minor lines, 8/29/07

How did Villalona look sitting on the bench? I need to know.

The Maharajai steals at will (plus he's not Matt Morris).

by Mike Benjamin Hit King on Aug 30, 2007 12:36 PM PDT reply actions

Re: minor lines, 8/29/07

A little overweight.

by KCE on Aug 30, 2007 1:04 PM PDT up reply actions

Re: minor lines, 8/29/07

Just flipped on KNBR to here the Giants Dir Player Personnel Bobby Evans saying goodbye -- did anyone hear him? Could you give an overview of what he said / players mentioned they might call up?

by melottfan on Aug 30, 2007 1:15 PM PDT reply actions

Bobby Evans saying goodbye

did that dumbass finally do the right thing and resign??

by bacci40 on Aug 30, 2007 3:51 PM PDT up reply actions

C'mon

He said he wasn't gay and it was all a misunderstanding because of his wide stance.

by wilriv21 on Aug 30, 2007 3:55 PM PDT up reply actions

Re: Bobby Evans saying goodbye

Even Spike Lee thinks he should resign.

The SF Giants: agressively promoting young talent since 2008.

by Lyle @ McCovey Chronicles on Aug 30, 2007 5:57 PM PDT up reply actions

Re: minor lines, 8/29/07

The interview is up on KNBR's website, here:

http://media.knbr.com/knbr/0830evans.mp3

Quick summary: Nate's been working on stuff, Freddie should be up when his injury is healed, he's rooting for McClain, don't always know until the last minute who will get called up for September.

I didn't hear anything about him leaving.

Adopting Dave Roberts since 2007

by hometownboy on Aug 31, 2007 1:58 AM PDT up reply actions

Re: minor lines, 8/29/07

thank you

by melottfan on Aug 31, 2007 7:54 AM PDT up reply actions

Sosa

Is Sosa getting tired? He's put up 123 innings so far this year.

Adopting Dave Roberts since 2007

by hometownboy on Aug 30, 2007 4:44 PM PDT reply actions

He has made 8 errors (tied for the most on the team), but given his bat, and not knowing the field conditions of the parks he plays in, I'm inclined to be encouraged by his year. Despite his age.

The SF Giants: agressively promoting young talent since 2008.

by Lyle @ McCovey Chronicles on Aug 31, 2007 7:16 AM PDT reply actions