Actually I’m still getting back into the swing of things. The last two weeks without internet have been surprisingly undull– I got a lot of reading done– and with the Giants decidedly out of the playoffs, I haven’t felt the need to follow the games online. But now that I’ve got ole lappy back from the shop, its back to feeding my baseball obsession.
One thing I am thinking about now that the minor league season is over. Would you consider the past year a successful one for the minor league system? The explosion of Bumgarner and Sandoval onto the scene have to be the highlights of the year. Burriss, Alderson and Ishikawa were also pleasant surprises. But what about Villalona, Noonan and Fairley? Has Schierholtz’s stock fallen?
I will say this: even though it’s early yet. I’m willing to count the 2008 draft as a success. I’m not sure Gillaspie is better than Noonan (or even better than Frandsen) and there’s no indication yet that Crawford or Kieschnick will ever make it to the Bigs, but I like the philosophy behind the picks. For the first time in a long while, I feel that the Giants are (competently) addressing their positional needs. Couple that with their prowess in selecting and developing pitchers, and the future for the Giants looks quite bright.
September 16, 2008 at 4:17 pm
You obviously watch the Giants – any idea why Matt Downs wasn’t sent to the Fall League in AZ? Seems like he earned a shot with his MVP award and a good job in AAA.
September 24, 2008 at 6:18 pm
It’s hard to rate a minor league system when the deficiencies at the major league level mean that any minor leaguers having a good year at high-A level or above goes immediately to the majors. There are certainly signs of better quality than in most recent years, with pitchers Bumgarner, Alderson, Barnes, even Maday and Tanner making strides, and several position players having solid if not spectacular years.
What troubles me–and it may just be a side effect of good performances earning instant promotions–is that SF’s minot league success continues to be at the A level and below. I’ll be a happier fan when that success starts showing up at AA and AAA.
October 25, 2008 at 4:34 am
Any winterball updates? Do we need to worry about Kieschnick’s insane K rates?