As the 2008 season comes to a close, I wanted to reflect on the new faces that have been revealed to us as San Francisco Giants fans.
Who are the Giants of the future? And even if they’re not young, who are we going to be looking forward to in the future?
This isn’t as much a prospect report, but more of a “New Giants Report.”
Emmanuel Burriss, 2B/SS
Burriss was recently told that next year’s shortstop job is all but his. After the news went public, he then goes and gets hurt the next day against the Diamondbacks.
Disregarding that, he was still my favorite rookie to get the call this season. He’s smooth. He plays both sides of second exceptionally well, and he is a scrapper at the plate.
He doesn’t strike out a lot (1:10 at-bats) and walks just as much, which shows he already has maturity at the plate. He also knows how to steal a bag once in a while, and that will factor in to his success as a major leaguer.
To quote this young stud from Washington DC, when the Giants play the young guys, “We get victorious every now and then.”
Brian Wilson, Closer
Wilson is hardly a new face, but 2008 was his first full year in the majors.
I’ll say two things right now: He’s badass, and he loves his faith, two things that might not seem to go together, but I don’t think anyone who’s seen Wilson knows exactly what to really expect. His assortment of tattoos, his heavy metal entrance song, his postgame “X” with his arms, his thundering 98 MPH fastball...He’s a prototypical closer.
He is right behind a proven veteran, Jose Valverde, for the lead in saves in the National League, going 37-40 in his first year as a closer.
He’s also a tantalizing interview, never really answering a question and saying ridiculous stuff like this, when asked what makes him unique in Major League Baseball: “(I am the only player in MLB) to levitate.”
Alex Hinshaw, LHP
Hinshaw is another kid that I really like this year. Another one of the many in the Giants' bullpen who have gone through Tommy John surgery, he came up and started mowing people down with ease.
Hinshaw has 44 strikeouts in only 35 innings and has come in 41 times his rookie season. But I think my favorite part of Hinshaw’s game is his swag. He comes in from the bullpen with knee-high socks and a hat with a totally flat brim that looks a size too big.
He handles his business quietly, but always seems to make hitters look silly in the process.
Pablo Sandoval, SUPERUTILITY
Since being called up, people have been raving about Sandoval’s torrid batting average and power numbers. But, let’s just remember, he’s just picking up where he left off.
Sandoval is hitting .358 with 14 RBI in only 22 games with the big club. Before he got his call, he was hitting .359 with 59 RBI in High-A San Jose in only 68 games and .333 with 26 RBI in only 28 games at Double-A Connecticut.
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2 months ago
Burriss is my No. 1 guy. Lewis is a close second. Sandoval is just a beast. Things may take a little bit, but looks good to me.
2 months ago
Sandoval is my No. 1 then Burriss. Sandoval is so valuable because having a starting 3B or 1B that can be a backup catcher when Bengie needs rest next year frees up a roster spot to have an extra bullpen arm or a utility player/pinch hitter like Rich Aurilia.
Great article. My only issue is Rowand was as advertised in the first half. In the second half, he's been horrible and added a pathetic bases loaded strikeout today.
2 months ago
Burris & Lewis are done for the year
Burris Oblique muscle pull, he probably wont play this winter ether. those will keep you quite for awhile.
Lewis Operation on his bunion on foot. removal and screw put in place of bone.
This will be good for Velez & Schierholtz guys on the bubble.
My book Velez has allways been in but I dont think the Giants fill the same way. A lot of his defensive lapses are easily correctable he has great hands and footwork around the bag.playing time will improve his game. Have to love all 4 rbis today and his ability to come thru in the clutch. +++ his speed and AT&T is a perfect match. gap hitter with pop to gaps and speed.
Scheirholtz thou he has been hitting the ball hard. I dont like his arm in right field been very eratic and wild and weak. He threw short hop to the cut off man this week in a game that cost the Giants a run and likely the game. The Giants announcers love him so they blew over it like it never happened even thou score keeper gave him the error. They tried to put blame early on Velez. but killed the conversation when error went to Schierholtz. watch cause he will be in the line up pretty much regularly from now to close.
Brian Wilson I said it before on another forum mlb.com I dont like this guys act. Wait tell there is real pressure and a pennent race. Then I will annoint him King Closer if and only if he gets the job done. Right now its real foggy cant see it happening. Bad body language all over the place. I may be way off on this one but I dont think so. 98 mph fastball nice but when its right over the plate ML players make a living hitting that pitch.
2 months ago
Rael
Rowand the second half of the year has been pathtic at best. situation hitting abissmal. throwing to the wrong base little leagueish. right now Rowand should be hitting 7th behind Velez who is a better situational hitter in his youth.
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