Kuzul

Brandon Belt has been on the radar of die-hard San Francisco Giants fans since the start of the season when he established himself, at least statistically, as the best hitter in the entire organization.

What’s hard to believe is that the guy can sustain his amazing performance because it just is never done much past high school and to a lesser extent college.

At High Single-A ball in San Jose, Belt had a .383 BA, 1.121 OPS, 10 HR, 18 SB, 62 RBI, and 62 Runs in 77 games. These are ridiculous numbers at any level of baseball.

By comparison, in 2009, Buster Posey for the same team and in the same league had a .326 BA, .967 OPS, 13 HR, 6 SB, 58 RBIs, and 63 Runs in 80 games.

Similar numbers, but with a .60 point lead in BA and .150 point lead in OPS, one of these guys’ numbers are significantly superior to the others, and it’s not Buster Posey!

That’s an extraordinary phenomenon to think about.

Instantly, skeptics will point out that Belt is 6’5″, 195 lbs., and anecdotally players with that build seem to rarely if ever sustain long, productive Major League careers.

It seems like tall guys need to bulk up and become power hitters. But there are some exceptions to this less than scientific observation of mine.

Off the top of my head, the best example is Darryl Strawberry, the 6’6″, 190 lbs. fellow lefty, who was on course to have a career like Barry Bonds.

Drug and personal issues derailed him, but when healthy in mind and body, he was a monster for opposing pitchers and teams. His tall, lean stature never prevented him from being highly productive.

So why did I write this article now and not a month or two ago?

Well, it is only High Single-A Ball data, so it’s impossible to draw a direct line to success at higher levels.

But now with Belt’s promotion to Double-A Richmond and his instant domination of the pitchers there, it’s becoming impossible to ignore.

In 11 games, he has a .409 BA, 1.277 OPS, and 5 HRs. Ridiculous.

He seems to be better than Travis Ishikawa, Brett Pill, heck, maybe even Aubrey Huff and Posey.

Despite being picked 147th in 2009’s draft, the former Texas Longhorn is putting up serious first round numbers that deserve commendation.

Here’s hoping we see him in San Francisco in September.

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Dear SF Giants Offense,

We’re writing this letter to express our deep concerns over a growing team problem: good offense.

In 2010, the Giants’ offense has scored less than three runs accordingly:

April: 9/26  34 percent.
May: 11/28  39 percent.
June: 1/12  8 percent. 

The offense is currently riding an 11 game streak of scoring three runs or more.

Before we dive in, let us remind you since the departure of Barry Bonds, we have become accustomed to sluggish inconsistent limp offenses.

Like a farm dog with ticks dug into our behind, we came to accept our cursed fate and that the world was generally a cruel place.

What do you expect, we have paws! How were we gonna reach back and pull the ticks out? You think biting helps, it only makes it worse.

At this point, our ticks are actually a source of comfort.

Now you’re back there digging around at the ticks and we have to tell you, don’t tease us. Don’t act like you’re finally going to screw them out, relieve our pain, and actually become a good offense.

Because the only thing worse than getting used to the pain and cruelty, would be thinking it’s finally going away and finding out it’s not.

Think of us as the sensitive girl who has always been a bridesmaid and never a bride. Men have been disappointing us our whole lives and now here you are acting like Mr. Wonderful.

If you let us down: look out! J-Wow’s right hook on The Situation will look like a tender kiss compared to the hell-fire scorn we will unleash on you.

Looking at your lineups recently and your numbers, we’ve been thinking, “What team is this?” And excuse us, but where are the gaping holes we have become accustomed to?

You know, we had gotten really used to cuddling up next to our teddy bear, then we slip into bed one night and find Bradley Cooper. Are we dreaming, are these hard, lean, rippling Runs, RBIs, and HRs really ours?

We call up some 15 year old looking kid from the minors (Posey), then we find some bruised and beaten up old mutt abandoned in an alley (Burrell), and presto, voila – we’re great!

And where do these slum dog cast-offs get off acting princely? Huff, Torres, Uribe…All Star caliber play? And we didn’t even know Sanchez was still alive – we thought compound injuries had killed him!

But come on, this is like a Cinderella story. And Giants fans do not believe in fairy tales.

Please go back to your old ways, so we can all just relax and accept the cruelty of the world.

Thank you.

Giants Fans

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Ten Points

1. Approach: Sandoval is a hacker and has always been. When he’s hot, look out, but when he’s not, it’s uuuuugly, like the 7 outs on 12 pitches night .

Posey is the polar opposite, a patient, strategic hitter. He takes huge swings ahead, takes some off behind. He has a hit in every game since being called up, except against U-boat Jimenez.

In 2010, Posey sees 3.83 pitches per plate appearance. Sandoval, on the other hand, sees 3.26 pitches per plate appearance. And that’s down from 3.44 last year.

The more pitches a hitter sees the better chance he’ll see a pitch he can do something with.

2. Discipline: Posey routinely works counts. In fact, he rarely swings at the first pitch, and because he’s confident hitting from behind in the count, he’s able to stick to his game plan.

Sandoval routinely swings at first pitches. Last year, when he was raking most of the year, he hit higher on both 0-1 (.383) counts and 1-0 (.519) counts than on 0-0 (.357) counts.

It’s not intuitive to say he shouldn’t swing at the first pitch, but statistically it is illogical to say he should swing at the first pitch.

3. Hitting With Runners In Scoring Position: Posey in 2010 (Fresno and SF): .328 BA; Sandoval in 2010: .183 BA

4. Strike While The Iron is Hot: The Giants finally have a great 1-2 punch in Andres Torres and Freddy Sanchez…they need a guy right now who will deliver while Torres and Sanchez are setting the table (no eating pun intended, Pablo, we know you’re good at eating).

Plus, Posey is raking but getting almost no RBIs. Torres and Sanchez are much more likely to score on a Posey base hit than Huff or Uribe.

5. The Double Plays Are Killing: Last year Sandoval hit into 10 all year. He’s already at 15 right now and leading the National League. Posey has not hit into one this year on the big league club.

6. Protection: Even though Molina came through versus Cincinnati after Baker intentionally walked (pitched around) Posey, better protection is needed other than the seventh hitter. Huff, Uribe, or Sandoval should protect Posey, otherwise, opponents will pitch around Posey more and more.

7. Vision: Sandoval has gone from no eye augmentation, to contacts, to goggles, back to contacts, and clearly he’s been struggling this year with eye/vision issues. If Giants fans should pray for anything, it’s Sandoval’s eyes.

8. Being a Rookie Notwithstanding: Rookie status is not a valid reason to keep someone down in the order.

When Sandoval first came up he raked and instantly hit third. He became the king of the hackers—Molina, Rowand, Uribe all got hacked down.

When it’s obvious, like it was with Pablo, then you’ve got to pull the trigger.

Now the Giants have “professional hitters” like Huff and Sanchez, and Posey appears to be the king of the professionals.

9. Fitness: Posey might not be Jane Fonda, but because the Panda still eats too much and ironically refuses to eat bamboo, Posey gets the edge here.

10. Super Hero Status: Sandoval is the Kung Fu Panda, but Posey is Ironman. Who do you think would win in a battle?

Once Posey does go in the three-hole, Bochy will have more and better options in making his lineup. And if Sandoval heats up Bochy should have no problem putting him back in the three-hole as mixing and matching has been his signature as Giants Manager. But overall, Posey will eventually hit third.

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Todd Wellemeyer continued his Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde routine in Pittsburgh on Saturday, giving up six runs, nine hits, and three walks in three innings of work. Actually, work might be the wrong way to phrase it…it was more a vacation.

The contrast of his home and road numbers is mind-boggling at this point.

Dr. Jekyll: 3-1, 2.94 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, .213 BAA

Mr. Hyde: 0-4, 10.62 ERA, 2.21 WHIP, .305 BAA

Mr. Hyde put on quite a show in Pittsburgh, ostentatiously strutting out his schizophrenic demeanor and homeless-man composure.

At one point, he even started laughing at himself and his ill fate. In true Mr. Hyde fashion, he was the only person laughing.

Asked after the game what he was laughing at, he replied, “all of the sudden I realized it wasn’t batting practice. I can’t believe I didn’t catch that until the third inning. Too funny.”

Manager Bruce Bochy described Wellemeyer’s particular deficiency as a mental disability.

He clarified that Wellemeyer is both getting treatment and on medication.

Even more optimistically, he explained because Wellemeyer’s disability falls under the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Giants have petitioned MLB to have a 25.5th player allowed on the roster.

The player will be a pitcher who travels with the team and takes the 5th starters’ rotation spot. Meanwhile, Wellemeyer will remain in San Francisco and start all of the home games as the stable Dr. Jekyll.

The disability itself is technically called “Cantpitchontheroadism,” although it’s also referred to as Mr. Hyde syndrome.

Moreover, hip writers have begun calling any strong disparity or contrast Wellemeyerian as in “J-Lo’s behind is way bigger than her chest; that’s Wellemeyerian.”

Lawyers for the Giants defiantly stated that if they are not granted the exception by MLB, they will have no problem taking their case to the courts, and even to the highest court if necessary.

Justice Antonin Scalia was asked about Mr. Hyde Syndrome: “I haven’t read the research and test cases myself, but I did catch the first three innings of Saturday’s game. It’s real.”

If Judge Scalia is already on board, MLB will have little choice but to grant the exception.

The Giants are likely to call up Madison Bumgarner from Fresno, who was interviewed about the prospect of being the 25.5th guy.

Bumgarner: “I can’t wait. It’s a dream come true.”

Reporter: “Pitching in the big leagues?”

Bumgarner: “Not living in Fresno anymore. Have you ever been there?!”

Reporter: “You’ll have to get used to the Four Seasons, huh?”

Bumgarner: “Are you kidding me? I’d settle for a Howard Johnson’s in Hell’s Kitchen.”

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With more hype than a Paris Hilton sex tape, Buster Posey made his 2010 debut with the San Francisco Giants.

Before the game, reporters swarmed him to find out the truth about his mysterious identity.

At first, he shyly answered questions as diplomatically as possible. But upon more thorough investigative questioning, he could no longer issue denials.

“I am Ironman,” he calmly proclaimed.

The reporters gasped, and a few passed out from excitement and disbelief.

Seriously, the only thing that could injure Posey’s development is unfair messiah expectations.

But if Giants fans and media can follow Posey’s lead, it will be a cool summer.

As for Posey’s debut performance, he unfortunately didn’t do a very good job of assuaging expectations, going 3-for-4 and knocking in three runs.

Hopefully, he’ll go 2-for-4 in his second game.

In the end, baseball’s a game of failure, so even if Posey does as well as can be expected he’ll screw up 70 percent of the time. There will be growing pains, slumps, and unmitigated failure at times.

That said, lead us to the playoffs, Buster!

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With the roller coaster ride that the San Francisco Giants pitching staff has taken fans on this year, it’s hard to tell if they are heroes or villains.

Here’s a rundown as of May 27th, 2010.

Note: this slide show was supposed to feature pictures of the actual comparisons, but those pictures, while widely available on the Internet, are not available for publication here on Bleacher Report.

Use your imagination.

Begin Slideshow

A five game skid will do wonders for local bars and corner stores. Just today, before the Giants got healthy on the Nationals 4-2, I wandered into the convenience store and they were clear out of alcohol, not a single drop… not even an O’Douls or Vanilla or Nyquil!

The bandaged and bruised grocer explained, “Giants fans have raided. It’s crazy, I haven’t seen this much chaos since prohibition!” Yes, he’s old enough to remember the 1920s.

If you fell off the wagon or suffered a heart attack during the losing streak, you might want to keep the following facts in mind to avoid future pathofanaticism:

In a 162 game season the statistical probability of avoiding a respectable losing streak is extremely low, as low as say the Cubs winning the World Series or Gary Radnich staying on topic.

In 2008, the Giants lost 6 games in a row yet stayed competitive all year and managed their first winning season since 2004.

In 2003, the Giants dominated their division winning 100 games, but still found time to lose 6 games in a row.

In 2002, the Giants went to the World Series after posting a 95-66 record. One bad pitching change away from being world champions, yet they lost 4 games in a row—twice.

In 2000, the Giants won their division with a 97-65 mark. Yet somehow they managed to lose 8 games in a row. Many fans were flattened by the sky.

In 1962, the Giants went 103-62, lost to the Yankees in the World Series, and came within three feet of being world champions. Strangely enough, they lost 6 games in a row during the regular season.

In 1954, the NY Giants won the World Series after posting a 97-57 record. They dropped 6 in a row during the regular season.

And so on and so on…

More extreme?

In 2009, the Colorado Rockies fired manager Clint Hurdle on May 29th and replaced him with Jim Tracy. They won 2 games, then lost the next 4. At that point, they were 15.5 games behind.

Every one wrote them off. Then they won 17 of 18, played solid the rest of the way, and made the playoffs.

Actually, there were probably a handful of Rockies fans who still believed after being 15.5 down. They all turn nine this year.

Bottom line: baseball is very hard to predict and the sky seems to fall down every year.

Don’t confuse the last example with me advocating Bochy’s firing. I’m not. His overall progression in SF is good.

This may be a make or break year for him, however, so I hope he starts cracking the whip a little more.

Along these lines, I would like to petition Giants fans to start a fund dedicated to paying the fines Bochy should get for abusing umpires when the Giants are getting the short end. With no fear of a fine and the fans behind him, he’ll have no excuses.

In exchange for the fans paying the fine, they would be guaranteed at least one chest bump and one shoe spitting before the All Star break.

* pathofanaticism – mental or physical sickness caused by one’s favorite sports team losing.

Answer to Poll: 8, 2006 St. Louis Cardinals

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Written: 4 pm, 21 May 2010

With the recent trade request of Roy Oswalt, the maximum security prison that is the Houston Astros may soon have a break. Since Oswalt has been one of the most consistent aces over the last ten years, there should be plenty of teams willing to drive the getaway car. But due to his no trade clause and wish to play for a contender, jalopies need not apply.

The SF Giants aren’t exactly a Ferrari, but hovering near first for most of the year they are at least a 2006 BMW 330i.

The Giants most glaring deficiency is fifth starter Todd Wellemeyer, whose road numbers of 0-3, 9.35 ERA, and 17 walks in 17 innings are deplorable. Most of the talk in the Bay Area has focused on calling up either Eric Hacker or Madison Bumgarner from AAA Fresno.

But neither one has proven they can get it done at the highest level. Assuming or projecting they would is simply wishful thinking masquerading as reason.

Meanwhile, Oswalt’s putting up some of the best numbers of his heralded career, 2.66 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 8.85 SO/9. Plus, he offers serious playoff experience having won the 2005 NLCS MVP.

Replacing Wellemeyer with Oswalt would be like finding a cooler of Fiji water in the desert.

If the Giants want to be a playoff team they need to act like it and keep working to improve the team.

Moreover, the Oswalt request could be the opportunity the Giants need to cut ties with some of their iffy signings the last few years, specifically Edgar Renteria, Freddie Sanchez, and Mark DeRosa. None of them has really got it going in San Francisco, so maybe a change of scenery would be best.

Furthermore, with Matt Downs looking like an everyday player lately, putting him on the bench to make room for Sanchez’s paycheck, I mean Sanchez had to be painful . He comes up with the key hit versus the Giants’ Kryptonite, San Diego, then scores the winning run on a clutch hit by Eugenio Velez. His reward, hit the bench, kid.

One solution solves many problems: trade De Rosa, Sanchez, Renteria, and their high salaries to Houston for Oswalt and his high salary.

The salaries are comparable with Oswalt owed 33M over the next two years and 34.5M going to Sanchez, Renteria, and DeRosa.

The trade is actually a win win since Houston just released 2B Kaz Matsui and starting SS Tommy Manzella is hitting .190. Insert Sanchez and Renteria and juggle them with 2B/SS Jeff Keppinger and the Astros’ infield just got a lot better. Once DeRosa comes back from the DL he would provide some pop as a utility player.

Furthermore, the Giants get better by subtraction. Juan Uribe has just about been their best hitter going back to the second half of last year, yet he’s behind Renteria and Sanchez on the depth chart.

Since Houston needs to rebuild and Oswalt is the prize jewel in the trade, the Giants would have to offer some respectable prospects.

Fortunately, their farm system has a plethora of them.

The AAA Fresno Grizzlies are so stacked with talent they boast a MILB best record of 28-12 and could probably beat the Astros in a best of seven series. Hacker, Bumgarner, Velez, Waldis Joaquin, Brett Pill, Tyler Graham, and Brock Bond stand out. 

Barring Buster Posey, the Giants could trade anyone on the farm.

Brandon Belt, .381BA, 1.051OPS, 10SB, is destroying Class A Advanced for San Jose, and at 22 years of age is an intriguing prospect.

Despite Astros GM Ed Wade’s obstinate attitude, “Roy’s contract has a no-trade clause, not a trade-me clause,” the Astros are likely going to have to make a move.

They might prefer packaging Oswalt with Carlos Lee and Lance Berkman who make an inflated 19M and 14.5M this year, respectively. But with both players underperforming that seems unlikely.

ESPN’s Jayson Stark originally reported Oswalt was most interested in St. Louis, Atlanta, and Texas, but as the situation has escalated he’s presumably open to more teams now.

Realistically, the Giants are a dark horse, thanks to their sometimes fangless lineup. But should that keep them from trying?

After all, with one of the most potent rotations around, adding Oswalt would surely upgrade the team from being a 2006 BMW 330i to a

2010 BMW M6 Convertible , and make it possible to execute Oswalt’s prison break smoothly.

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