2008...........In Review (I'll do pitchers at a later date)

We finished 2008 with a 72-90 record, tied for the sixth worst record in baseball, we only improved by one win at the Major League level and our 18 million dollar man was so bad at one pint he was removed from the rotation. Sounds like the script of major league doesn't it? I dare you to ask me "Henry was this season a success in your mind?" "Did we progress?"I would respond with a resounding yes and yes we did. In my mind this was the most successful season by the bay in quite some time but my friend you must look in between the numbers. 

The player that made the most progress was undoubtably 2008 cy young award winner Tim Linceceum!! Boy that makes me think of opening day............at the same time there were many giants other than the scrawny fire baller who took giant leaps forward. 

Emmanuel Burris! Most don't know this but Burris was a first round compensation pick back in 2006 out of Kent State university. He was taken 37th overall in front of a handful of players in that round who I would rather have Adrian Cardenas, Joba Chamberlain and Chris Coghlan but it's ok because Burris has actually turned out to be well pretty good. Comming into this year Burris's professional career looked to in Limbo, he had faltered terribly at High Class San Jose prompting the Giants to Send him down to Low A Augusta where he dominated the competition but still some of these players were 18 and Burris was 22. For context purposes this is where Angel Villanona played this year while he was 17 years old. This year was a make or break season for Burris and the giants pushed him harder than Salt n Pepa's 90's hit "Push it." The giants agressively skipped him past high a san jose and aa Conneticut surely developmental death right? NO! Quite the contrary Burris established himself at te major league level he hit .282 in 242 abs and even had a nifty .357 obp his slugging percentage was well a disgusting .387 but you know that's ok he was drafted for his speed (stole 68 combined bases in 07 but only 17 last year at MLB level has the speed to steal 50 consistently) and contact abilities and that's what he's proven to at the ML level thus far. He displayed great discipline and only struck out 24 times and even walked 23 times which is almost unheard of. ( To have 1 less walk than strikeout) At the same token one has to wonder if he can stay at shortstop. Yes, he probably can I'm just making things sound dramatic but it would be a stretch to call him a "good defender" or above average there he is merely mediocre or worse due to his arm. But, he would immediately be a plus defender if moved to second base due to his magnificent range and his arm wouldn't be exposed there.

Fred Lewis legitimized himself as a starting corner outfield for years to come. He put up a very respectable line of .282/.351/.440 which is good for an ops (on base plus slugging .770 is mlb corner of average) of .791. Consider this the giants had a team ops of .707 which is 28th in baseball only the Nationals and the A'S! Consider this Rowand and his 5 year 60 million dollar bag of fun put up this line .271/.339/.410 which = an ops of.............(drum roll) .749? Eww! sure he's playing center field which definetly relaxes the expectations of his offensive putout because the position emphasizes defense but still a 2nd year player (barely missed rookie eligibillity) had a far greater offensive output?  Let's take a look at Randy Winn he put up a line of .306/.363/.426 which = an ops of .789 SNAP! Fred Lewis was our most productive outfielder? That's right ladies and gentleman Freddy was the best at getting on base and slugging the crap out of the ball (Extra base hits essentially) If it were up to me/if I were Brian Sabean both Winn and Rowand would be on the way out of town.............but that's a future post..............regardless of which as you can see we have finally produced a quality major league hitter. First one since dare I say, Bill Mueller? Or you could count Pedro Feliz if your in the mood?

Pablo Sandoval! Talk about "the cream rises to the top" this guy was only known to die-hard giant minor league enthusiasts last year. (such as myself) I remember seeing him play in San Jose in 07 and remember thinking "good bat speed, good level swing that has natural loft, good arm" but then I also remember seeing him chug slowly around the field and thought to myself if he doesn't lose weight he can't stay at catcher and the bat isn't good enough to project to 1st base. Boy was I wrong this offseason he dropped 20 somewhat pounds and his bat made opposing pitchers wilt like flowers on the mound. Consider these numbers..... .350/.392/.578 20 hr 92 rbi's those were sandoval's numbers in 112 minor league games! what my friends are Albert Pujols esque, yes, yes Jay before you ruin our excitement those are in the minors but remember minor league numbers are often the best indicator of Major league success. He then went on to hit .345/.357/.490 in 145 abs in the majors it's safe to say he's arrived. I personally think he can become a .320 30 hr 100 rbi switch hitting monster remember he has played 3b in the past and it was his original position when he signed..............thank you for whomever id brave enough to read this far 

p.s FREE AGENT MARKET OPENS IN 4 HOURS AND 16 MINUTES!!! I'll make a free agent plan later ta ta!