Two-part....

by Grant on Jun 6, 2007 9:20 AM PDT in News Comment 57 comments

...comment starter.

I hope the Giants come away with _ in the draft.
The Giants will finally get to crowd around the plate after one of their teammates hits a walk-off home run on _ against the _.

Beau Mills for the first one. NAIA college stats are close to useless, but, my word, has he been a dominant hitter.

The second one is a little trickier. Here's a schedule to help you, though they haven't released a 2008 schedule yet. That probably invalidates most of the guesses. I'll say July 29th, against Florida. Yes, it will be against Benitez, but it will also make the front office believe the team is still in contention, which will lead to a prospects-for-crusty-vets disemboweling.

The reign of horror didn't end with the Benitez trade. He can still get us from beyond the grave.

Also, I'm a little tired of watching other teams celebrate at home plate. I really hate the "let's-jump-in-unison-when-he-reaches-home-plate!-Okay-gooooooo-team!" hophophop-thing that's fashionable now, mostly because the Giants aren't the ones doing it.

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Re: Two-part....

I hope the Giants come away with A new GM in th the draft.
The Giants will finally get to crowd around the plate after one of their teammates hits a walk-off home run on November 2nd against the Wives of the Diamondbacks

by zenbitz on Jun 6, 2007 9:18 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

The Giants have solo walkoffs, too

But it's always a guy like Pedro, striking out to end the game and schlepping back to the dugout.

by Moggeee on Jun 6, 2007 9:19 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Re: Two-part....

You guys are too obsessed with Beau Mills. Sure he's a nice hitter but he's a complete defensive liability. There's no position for him to play except DH.

by giants92388 on Jun 6, 2007 9:24 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Re: Two-part....

Sounds like EME. Thanks, we've already got one.

by achiappanza on Jun 6, 2007 9:35 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Two-part....

Everything I read indicates that he should be able to at least play first base.

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

by jponry on Jun 6, 2007 9:35 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Two-part....

If the hitting tools are there, time spent in the minors can focus on developing his fielding tools. JT Snow, you're on. Beau Mills is far from a finished product.

Strikeouts are boring. Besides that, they're fascist. Not boring: Emmanuel Burriss. Not fascist: SF Dugout

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Jun 6, 2007 9:42 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Two-part....

Exactly. People often think of the MLB draft like its the NFL (or even NBA). Most players drafted will take a couple of years to crack a MLB roster. Thats ample time to learn how to stand there and pick a ball out of the air.

by sfgfan on Jun 6, 2007 11:01 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Two-part....

That's why each team has those six or so minor league teams below them. I think that a high draft pick shouldn't be as much of a project but it looks like the only thing holding Mills back is the defensive thing.

Give the guy a half season in Salem-Keizer, with developing his defensive skills at the forefront of his work, and then reevaluate. Provided we get the guy. But this applies to anyone the Giants select tomorrow and Friday.

Strikeouts are boring. Besides that, they're fascist. Not boring: Emmanuel Burriss. Not fascist: SF Dugout

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Jun 6, 2007 11:17 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Two-part....

The lag time between the draft and MLB production is another reason for just taking the BPA.

Carol Midgen takes calls from Ryan Klesko when driving. (.308/.383/.477 as of 6/5/07)

by Goofus on Jun 6, 2007 12:11 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Two-part....

I suspect that guys like this are perpetually underrated in the draft. Some of them do turn out to be Sam Horn, but hitters who really can't handle first base at all are pretty rare. A player with a first-rate bat is just much more likely to make it than a player with five great tools who hasn't fully mastered the art of hitting a baseball.

by Evan on Jun 6, 2007 9:51 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Two-part....

I remember the "He's only going to be able to play first" argument against Prince Fielder. Whoops. Not that Mills is totally analogous, but if a guy can hit, take him.

by Grant on Jun 6, 2007 10:02 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Two-part....

If the Giants started hopping around at home plate, at least three of them would need hip replacements.

Tim Lincecum is the light and truth, and I will enjoy becoming pure energy when he determines it is time to ascend.

by HughG16 on Jun 6, 2007 9:29 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

The Curse of the Bambeninez

I expected a picture this morning from Grant.

Billy Buckner trudging off the field after his Game 6 in 1986...

Don't worry it will get worse before it gets better.

The Curse of the Bambeninez lives.

by Whipping Boy on Jun 6, 2007 9:32 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Re: Two-part....

I want a serious college hitter. Mills, LaPorta, Weiters, whoever, as long as he's the best and most advanced hitter. It's been too long since Will Clark and Matt Williams.

by Evan on Jun 6, 2007 9:35 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

+1

If we got one (or two!) of those guys, I'd be ecstatic.

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

by jponry on Jun 6, 2007 9:44 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: +1

I think that's a real possibility. I'm pretty sure LaPorta will be there at 22 and Mills and Wieters will both probably be available at #10. Of course there is no way Sabean is going to draft both LaPorta and Wieters because they are both Boras clients and will be demanding a lot.

by giants92388 on Jun 6, 2007 9:51 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Two-part....

I am really hoping that we draft Moustakas.

The Giants will finally get to crowd around the plate after Orlando Cepeda triumphantly returns to selling Cha Cha Bowls.

Sabean stop giving away our first round draft picks!!

by z4 landshark on Jun 6, 2007 9:36 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Re: Two-part....

I like Mills and LaPorta as possible first round selections. I like Weathers and Aumont as first round pitching selections.

Strikeouts are boring. Besides that, they're fascist. Not boring: Emmanuel Burriss. Not fascist: SF Dugout

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Jun 6, 2007 9:44 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Re: Two-part....

I think y'all are assuming that Sabean will draft a position player before the 199th round of the draft. It's all about pitching don't you know.

by paboperfecto on Jun 6, 2007 10:15 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Re: Two-part....

Don't sweat the Benitez deal. We already know he'll haunt us as often as possible, though because the Giants will only play the Marlins roughly six times a year (until the Marlins decide they can't stand him anymore either, and he goes to the Dodgers), he won't haunt us as a Marlin nearly as often as he haunts us as a Giant. If we accept it rather than dread it, we'll be marginally less miserable. And since we're Giants fans, what more can we hope for?

EEEEEE! for archives and articles, Almost EEEEEE! for current stuff

by EEEEEEgp on Jun 6, 2007 10:16 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Re: Two-part....

Wieters and Moustakas and Vitters and Mills will be gone by #10.

Realistically, I'm hoping for Heyward at #10. I love his upside. LaPorta I like lots, too, though it's probably dreaming to expect him at #22. Still, it's plausible.

by wcw on Jun 6, 2007 10:23 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Oh, come on...

Benitez will dominate SF when he faces them. Hasn't being a Giants fan taught us anything?

The Giants will finally get to crowd around the plate after one of their teammates hits a walk-off home run on June 19, 2013 against the expansion Des Moines Demonics.

Bruce Bochy gets his big head from me.

by Stuttering John Tamargo on Jun 6, 2007 10:44 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Re: Two-part....

I am becoming more open to the thought of drafting Casey Weathers out of Vanderbilt with our #22 pick given the state of our bullpen. At the very least, he will be a good late innings bullpen arm. And hopefully, he can become a good closer. I also think that he can reach the majors rather quickly and hopefully help out the major league squad at least by next year.

He is sturdy and was consistently hitting 96 mph on back-to-back nights. He also has another plus pitch which is his slider that he throws in the 84-86 mph range. I am not aware if he throws any other pitches. The main knock against him is that he does not have the best command, but I think he has what it takes. He has two great pitches and he has durability. He pitched well all season for Vanderbilt, which was a top college team all year long.

What do you guys think about him at #22? Or should we just concentrate on hitters, like LaPorta?

Sabean stop giving away our first round draft picks!!

by z4 landshark on Jun 6, 2007 11:08 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Re: Two-part....

I was actually thinking about Weathers at 29 but who knows how the draft will play out.

by giants92388 on Jun 6, 2007 11:12 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Two-part....

I'd be overjoyed to get Weathers at 22. He might be ready quickly and that would help the bullpen a ton. I wouldn't be upset if the Giants went for a hitter at 10 and then Weathers later.

Strikeouts are boring. Besides that, they're fascist. Not boring: Emmanuel Burriss. Not fascist: SF Dugout

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Jun 6, 2007 11:24 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Two-part....

Forgive me for regurgitating the points of your comment. It's a challenge to type about draft stuff while paying legal bills at work.

Strikeouts are boring. Besides that, they're fascist. Not boring: Emmanuel Burriss. Not fascist: SF Dugout

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Jun 6, 2007 11:26 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Two-part....

If Weathers fails as a closer, will he become known as "Stormy?"

by sharksrog on Jun 6, 2007 8:44 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Two-part....

For what it's worth, Weathers is a huge Barry Bonds fan.

Who dat is? That's just Ortmeier's daddy.

by rotorueter on Jun 7, 2007 7:32 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Two-part....

I hope the Giants come away with Michael Main in the draft. That's because I expect either Mills or Wieters to have already been drafted at #10.
The Giants will finally get to crowd around the plate after September call-up Nate Schierholtz hits a walk-off home run on September 8th against the Dodgers.

Your 2012 NL ERA champion: Sergio Romo

by Lyle on Jun 6, 2007 12:04 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Re: Two-part....

Normally, I'd say telling people to STFU is pretty rude, but since you did prefaced it with "please", I'm perplexed.

Carol Midgen takes calls from Ryan Klesko when driving. (.308/.383/.477 as of 6/5/07)

by Goofus on Jun 6, 2007 12:11 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Re: Two-part....

I believe there are less than 10 hitters in the majors from the 04-06 drafts, several of whom are up by just days (Ryan Braun) or weeks (Hunter Pence). A couple more like Longoria, Breignac, and Josh Fields are close. You think we're going to be in a position to get hitterS -- plural -- who can be in the majors within 2 years?

by Roger on Jun 6, 2007 12:27 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Fields was called up earlier today

by awesomer on Jun 6, 2007 1:02 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Fields was called up earlier today

and an even 10.

by Roger on Jun 6, 2007 1:05 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Fields was called up earlier today

Interestingly, several of the guys who are close from the 04 draft are HS hitters, Briegnac, Neil Walker, Billy Butler (who has already made his MLB debut). Similarly Colby Rasmus has gone from HS draftee in '05 to tearing up AA in '07.

by Roger on Jun 6, 2007 1:16 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sleeper

This may sound off the wall, but the 3 first round picks have been discussed to death, especially #10. I'd like to see us pick up Nevin Griffith in the supplemental round. Travis Mattair at #51 is something that intrigues me. Todd Frazier at either #29 or #32 would please me.

Here's 3 players I'm hoping we can nab from round 5 on:

Blake Stouffer, 3B/1B/OF, Texas A&M. B-S, T-R. .400 BA with some HR and definite doubles power. Fast enough to steal a base and get some triples. Off the charts plate discipline. .400 BA. Not listed in BA's Top 200. PGCrosschecker lists him as a later round sleeper. If he's there at #164 in round 5, which it seems he may be, I'd take him in a second. My #1 wish for round 5 on- Blake Stouffer.

Wes Etheridge, RHP, UC Irvine. Again, not in BA's Top 200, but check out his stat line. Also check out his last game in the college playoffs.

Reid Fronk, OF, UNC. Kind of a Clay Timpner type OF. Not the kind of guy you want to draft in the top 5 rounds, but good roster filler and enough of a prospect to make it worth a flyer.

by DrBGiantsfan on Jun 6, 2007 12:28 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Re: Sleeper

Thanks Dr. B, for bringing up names we can find later in the draft. I can't find a lot on the later rounds!

Strikeouts are boring. Besides that, they're fascist. Not boring: Emmanuel Burriss. Not fascist: SF Dugout

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Jun 6, 2007 12:32 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Sleeper

Don't forget to draft some pitching

I hope the Giants come away with a player a perennial All-Star in the draft. Will settle for even one of them.
The Giants will finally get to crowd around the plate after one of their teammates hits a walk-off home run on against the Dodgers. Don't care about take as long as against the Dodgers.

I read somewhere that less than 12% of drafted players ever play in the MLs. I have lived thru the multiple early SF draft choices of the 1998 draft. Please excuse if I am not as excited as most that this will be the draft that will turn the franchise around.

And with the cancer of Benitez cut out, I do not see how this team has improved or changed. Please draft some more pitching - take a hard long look at Jarrod Parker.

by wilriv21 on Jun 6, 2007 1:27 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

1998..

..there's a difference between #10 and #19.

Carlos Pena
Josh McKinley
Adam Everett
J.M. Gold
Jeff Weaver
Clint Johnston
Kip Wells
Brad Lidge
Seth Etherton

You could have picked from those eight at random and bested Torcato. I only count three flameouts.

by wcw on Jun 6, 2007 2:20 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Two-part....

Kevin Goldstein at BPro has a mock draft today with the Giants taking:

#10 Casey Weathers (??)
#22 Beau Mills (the guy plays 3B and can't handle 1B? I doubt that)
#29 Todd Frazier

He has the Cubs taking Parker at #3, and the Nats taking Wieters at #7.

by North Side Chicago Expatriate Giants Fan on Jun 6, 2007 2:46 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Re: Two-part....

That should be the Nats at #6

by North Side Chicago Expatriate Giants Fan on Jun 6, 2007 2:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Two-part....

Casey Weathers at 10, God Lord! I'm officially not reading any more mocks lest I get mock-sick.

by Roger on Jun 6, 2007 3:08 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Two-part....

That is really frightening, isn't it?

by North Side Chicago Expatriate Giants Fan on Jun 6, 2007 3:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Two-part....

Oh man. Cheaping out with a relief pitcher at number 10 would destroy the last of my good will for Giants management.

On the other hand, Goldstein not only has the Giants landing Mills at #22, he calls him a slight overdraft there!

by Evan on Jun 6, 2007 5:28 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Two-part....

Oh man. Cheaping out with a relief pitcher at number 10 would destroy the last of my good will for Giants management.

On the other hand, Goldstein not only has the Giants landing Mills at #22, he calls him a slight overdraft there!

by Evan on Jun 6, 2007 5:28 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Two-part....

and I'll say it again if I have to

by Evan on Jun 6, 2007 5:29 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Two-part....

Yeah, I don't get that lousy-3B-maybe-lousy-1B. It takes more athleticism to play 3B than it does to play either of the corner OF positions---if Mills ended up in LF or RF, it would be fantastic.

Who dat is? That's just Ortmeier's daddy.

by rotorueter on Jun 7, 2007 7:36 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Two-part....

Yahoo's mock draft has the Giants taking this guy @ 10:

Jarrod Parker, RHP, Norwell High (Ind.) - Tim Lincecum Jr.? Somehow Parker pumps out 98-mph heat from his 6-foot frame. The Giants would be thrilled if he dropped past the Cubs and Diamondbacks.

I would personally like to see them take the best hitter available at 10.

http://giantsbaseballblog.blogspot.com/

by trecole696 on Jun 6, 2007 3:05 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Re: Two-part....

I'd prefer a hitter, but I like Parker a lot.

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

by jponry on Jun 6, 2007 3:58 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Two-part....

Lincecum didn't throw high 90's out of HS. Although I'd love a hitter, I really wouldn't mind Paker at #10. He has an incredible amount of upside.

by mxmob33 on Jun 6, 2007 3:58 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Two-part....

mlb.com seems to think wieters will fall to us which would probably make him the best catcher we've ever had

by Mike on Jun 6, 2007 7:42 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Re: Two-part....

I agree it would be improper to blame Brian Sabean for every game the Giants lose. It is much more proper to blame him for their being a mediocre team with a barren farm system.

by sharksrog on Jun 6, 2007 8:42 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Re: Two-part....

Is the farm system barren, or is all the talent just in the lower minors?

by North Side Chicago Expatriate Giants Fan on Jun 6, 2007 9:30 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Year after year

For many years the talent in A ball seems promising. Maybe it is because SF organization drafts college level prospects who are ahead of their peers in the minor leagues. As the SF prospects advance they seem to top out at the AA or AAA levels.

by wilriv21 on Jun 6, 2007 9:42 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Year after year

Maybe. There are definitely some interesting middle infielders and arms in the lower levels though.

by North Side Chicago Expatriate Giants Fan on Jun 6, 2007 9:53 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Let's hope so

by wilriv21 on Jun 6, 2007 9:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Two-part....

I think it's a combination of both. Nearly all the talent is in A ball, and it's not that impressive there either. There are some interesting players and arms but they all fall under the B-/C prospect file, I'd say. So, at the lower levels we have some depth in middling, low-upside players. The only exception I'll still make to this is Sanders, but I'd like to see them push him. Or put this way, if Emmanuel Burriss is in your organization's Top 5 (and he definitely is at the moment) your organization is pretty barren at least in impact players, if not in depth.

On the bright side, seeing Velez leap from Augusta to Norwich and not look overwhelmed is really encouraging. This kid could turn out to be a great story.

by Roger on Jun 7, 2007 6:11 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs