After not getting a whole lot going in Saturday's Cactus League opener, the Giants' bats got on track Sunday in a split-squad scrimmage vs. Arizona, and to script, the pitching wasn't too shabby either.
Unfortunately, I wasn't able to watch this one on MLB TV or listen to much of it, but I've read the game reports just like everyone else, and the first thing I noticed when reading it, was the fact that Hector Sanchez is a force to be reckoned with! Remember last year, how strongly he started, then only slowed a bit after the Giants started bouncing him around their system. Now, like Brandon Belt, he appears a lot more comfortable going up
against major league pitching and this is exactly what I was hoping would happen. I want Sanchez on the opening day roster, for one simple reason, the Giants need hitters and Sanchez can rake. The doubters will say "well, he can't handle the staff like Whiteside." Well, my counter to that would be that the Giants pitchers are all now being paid very handsomely, sans Bumgarner, but he's experienced with Sanchez. Each and every one of them are good veteran arms, and if they can't figure out how to throw to Sanchez, or if they "love" to throw Whiteside, then they'll love losing games, 2-1! I haven't heard any pitcher actually mention it, but I know Giants beat writers think that Sanchez needs work on his game calling skills. He's got the arm and is a good defender, obviously can hit, and would be just fine catching 2 games a week in my opinion. To prepare him, why not start him every game this spring that Buster doesn't, just to get him into that rythm? Then again, if the Giants are truly worried about Buster, and don't feel like he'll be able to catch around 70-75% of their games this season, then I think the decision should be made to at least start the year with 3 catchers and 6 relievers, then see how things fall into place. Hopefully though, this will all be figured out by April!
I just have a feeling it's going to go down to that final weekend; the decision on 3 catchers or 12 pitchers? Other than Sanchez, the Giants really had their bats working for them Sunday, as the three newest Giants, Pagan, Cabrera and Theriot, combined to go 6-11 with 3 runs and 2 RBI. I know it's only spring, but Theriot has
looked strong early on, in BP and in this game here, and Brandon Crawford will be feeling the pressure if he keeps it up. Luckily for Crawford, he's started the spring out solidly as well at the plate, so after two in the books and one scheduled for this evening, not a whole lot has changed in terms of the Giants roster possibilities. Luckily for Giants fans, you won't need MLB TV to watch tonight's game as it will be televised on Comcast. Matt Cain will try and continue the Giants string of solid starts in this one as the Giants take on the Prince Fielder-less Brewers for the first time. The one things that Giants fans are still waiting patiently for though, is the spring debut of their star catcher, Buster Posey, which should happen any day know. The Giants originally planned to keep him out of the first week to 10 days of Cactus League, but he could be in a lineup by the end of the week. What a sight that will be to see that guys name penciled into the Giants lineup for the first time in almost a year! Maybe he surprises everyone and debuts tonight for the televised game, but it wouldn't surprise me if his first few games where as the team's DH.
Also wanted to note that we'll be starting our divisional and team previews a littler earlier than normal this spring so we have more open time at the end of the month to talk about final roster decisions and what not. We'd typically start our team-by-team previews on around March 20th, but look for those to start around the 15th this spring. We'll still be talking Giants in separate and double-posts, but one of the way I get to know the league and you guys get to know what's going on in baseball is doing these divisional previews and we'll be sure to continue that tradition this Spring!
Unfortunately, I wasn't able to watch this one on MLB TV or listen to much of it, but I've read the game reports just like everyone else, and the first thing I noticed when reading it, was the fact that Hector Sanchez is a force to be reckoned with! Remember last year, how strongly he started, then only slowed a bit after the Giants started bouncing him around their system. Now, like Brandon Belt, he appears a lot more comfortable going up
against major league pitching and this is exactly what I was hoping would happen. I want Sanchez on the opening day roster, for one simple reason, the Giants need hitters and Sanchez can rake. The doubters will say "well, he can't handle the staff like Whiteside." Well, my counter to that would be that the Giants pitchers are all now being paid very handsomely, sans Bumgarner, but he's experienced with Sanchez. Each and every one of them are good veteran arms, and if they can't figure out how to throw to Sanchez, or if they "love" to throw Whiteside, then they'll love losing games, 2-1! I haven't heard any pitcher actually mention it, but I know Giants beat writers think that Sanchez needs work on his game calling skills. He's got the arm and is a good defender, obviously can hit, and would be just fine catching 2 games a week in my opinion. To prepare him, why not start him every game this spring that Buster doesn't, just to get him into that rythm? Then again, if the Giants are truly worried about Buster, and don't feel like he'll be able to catch around 70-75% of their games this season, then I think the decision should be made to at least start the year with 3 catchers and 6 relievers, then see how things fall into place. Hopefully though, this will all be figured out by April!I just have a feeling it's going to go down to that final weekend; the decision on 3 catchers or 12 pitchers? Other than Sanchez, the Giants really had their bats working for them Sunday, as the three newest Giants, Pagan, Cabrera and Theriot, combined to go 6-11 with 3 runs and 2 RBI. I know it's only spring, but Theriot has
looked strong early on, in BP and in this game here, and Brandon Crawford will be feeling the pressure if he keeps it up. Luckily for Crawford, he's started the spring out solidly as well at the plate, so after two in the books and one scheduled for this evening, not a whole lot has changed in terms of the Giants roster possibilities. Luckily for Giants fans, you won't need MLB TV to watch tonight's game as it will be televised on Comcast. Matt Cain will try and continue the Giants string of solid starts in this one as the Giants take on the Prince Fielder-less Brewers for the first time. The one things that Giants fans are still waiting patiently for though, is the spring debut of their star catcher, Buster Posey, which should happen any day know. The Giants originally planned to keep him out of the first week to 10 days of Cactus League, but he could be in a lineup by the end of the week. What a sight that will be to see that guys name penciled into the Giants lineup for the first time in almost a year! Maybe he surprises everyone and debuts tonight for the televised game, but it wouldn't surprise me if his first few games where as the team's DH.Also wanted to note that we'll be starting our divisional and team previews a littler earlier than normal this spring so we have more open time at the end of the month to talk about final roster decisions and what not. We'd typically start our team-by-team previews on around March 20th, but look for those to start around the 15th this spring. We'll still be talking Giants in separate and double-posts, but one of the way I get to know the league and you guys get to know what's going on in baseball is doing these divisional previews and we'll be sure to continue that tradition this Spring!
Comments
If Crawford's at .190 and the Giants are struggling to score again, then yes, more than likely, Theriot will be out there. If Crawford even gets up to .235 or so, he's worth playing based on his glove and sneaky pop! I wouldn't be surprised if he popped out 10-12 bombs if playing everyday.