2012 MLB Regular Season Running Thread

Regarding Gary Brown, I saw him play quite a bit last year in A ball and was not all that impressed. First off he doesn't look anything close to 6-1, 190. And he got his 53 steal because they were just abusing Single-A catchers with his speed, telling him to go on first movement and use his wheels to beat the weak throw. Even at that he got thrown out 19 times -- didn't look like he was bothering to actually learn anything about stealing bases. So now you see the learning curve kicking in as he is only 21 for 33 stealing in Double A.

I think he was a ballpark pick -- the Giants are hoping for an old-school leadoff hitter who can cover a ton of ground in the league's biggest outfield. Right now they're getting that out of Gregor Blanco, though, and with Brown's lack of production I don't think he'd be much of a candidate on a contender anyway.

 

Matt Kemp was dominating before he got hurt. The Dodgers have been without him for a long time. That is going to have a huge impact.

 

The Yankees' bullpen was already their strongest part of their team, so Rivera going down didn't hurt them as much, although they might have lost a couple more games if Robertson would have stayed healthy and tried to remain the closer. He's not fit for that role. Too many guys put on base.

Girardi, for all his faults for overmananging, has actually done a pretty good job mixing and matching the lineup to make sure the older guys get some rest. It's also been helped that Ibanez has been decent, although he's been in a slump, and Chavez and Jones have contributed off the bench.

Girardi also, unlike Torre has been smart about resting his bullpen. Last night was a good example. Rather than trot Soriano out there again by rote, he rested him, and it ended up costing him the game. But at least, they won't wear down.

 

Well he doesn't have Proctor to trot out there 100 games a year.

 

This foolishness again? Robertson's WHIP this season is 1.200. Soriano's is 1.465. Last year, Robertson's WHIP was 1.125 to Soriano's 1.297.

So, if Robertson puts on too many, Soriano must be complete a disaster in the role, right?

Maybe Robertson can't handle the role. His brief opportunity this year was not impressive (one shaky save and one implosion). But to say he puts on too many to do the job is just not correct, not unless you think Soriano has been terrible.

 

Gregor Blanco has been doing a fine job as a leadoff hitter for the Giants. His OBP is around .350 which is not great but pretty good compared to what the Giants were getting last year from the leadoff position.

Last year the offense was historically horrible. This year the only hole is at SS with a young Brandon Crawford who just looks like a solid fielding SS.

The Bonds years (and all the Ray Durham retreads) are thankfully way back in the rear view mirror.

Now if only The Freak can find his groove.

 

Bumgarner? If you're gonna give it to a Giant, I'd give it to Cain in a heartbeat.

 

The Giants are still 21st in the major leagues in runs scored, right behind the Mariners, so they still could use some improvement offensively. I'm sure they will be better in the second half if Sandoval can stay healthy and Belt can keep hitting, but they have also had some overachievers in the first half. I think it is a bit much to expect Melky Cabrera to hit over .350 for a full season.

 

I've seen Gary Brown once this season. Around the sixth inning, I realized that the guy who tore up the California League last year was playing for Richmond. So I checked the roster, and yeah, he had been playing the whole time.

In other words, he didn't exactly leave an impression.

 

I am surprised the Giants are as high as 21st, because that ballpark is unbelievably unforgiving right now. According to B-R the park factor is 82, which is as extreme for pitchers as Coors Field is for hitters. If they can stay 21st or so in total runs, they will be just fine.

In addition to Sandoval and Belt absences, Posey got off to a pretty slow start too, but he has been very hot lately.

 

It shouldn't be the sole method of raking players. It only shows value above a replacement player, which doesn't necessarily mean "greatness" for all people.

 

If anything, that only strengthens my argument that it is useless.