Travis Ishikawa
Ishikawa’s first base defense has been astonishing to start the season. He has been as close to perfect as you can get. I checked out some of his defensive numbers on baseballreference.com.
’08: 213 innings, 15 unassisted putouts (tagging three runners), .984 Fielding Percentage
’09: 323 innings, 27 unassisted putouts (tagging ten runners), .994 Fielding Percentage
’08: 12.9 Rtot/Yr or runs above average, per year
’09: No value given, but I’d estimate it at a minimum of 15.
He‘s had three relay assists (with one to home) and has started four ground ball double plays.
Besides being a lights out defensive first baseman (possibly the best in baseball), Ishikawa has been making great strides at the plate. He had trouble in the early going with some off-speed pitches and hitting in two-strike counts, but Travis has adjusted his game accordingly and the numbers are showing a solid improvement.
Stats since April 22: .305 BA, .371 OBP, .484 SLG, .855 OPS (through Monday…sue me).
If you add another 15 runs saved for the year to his solid offensive run production, then Ishikawa is fairly underrated compared to the big name first basemen. His others batted in percentage (15/102=.147) is identical to that of Pablo Sandoval’s (25/169=.147). Also, Ishikawa is still only 25 years old and it’s quite possible that he will continue to improve.
Schierholtz and Lewis (fangraphs.com)
Swing Percentage
Fred-44.7%
Nate-52.8%
Outside K-Zone Swing Percentage
Fred-19.1% (59.0% contact)
Nate-39.5% (54.7% contact)
K-Zone Swing Percentage
Fred-69.4% (83.1% contact)
Nate-67.4% (93.9% contact)
Lewis has better selectivity and slightly more extension. Schierholtz is a crazy good contact hitter in the strike zone, even if he has trouble with the low and outside pitch.
Lewis is solid on defense, but Schierholtz is a shut-down corner outfielder (and likely a solid CF), with a gun for an arm. Lewis’ 56 strikeouts, .253 batting average, and .351 on-base percentage plays well in the lead-off position, but he had trouble there earlier in the season with a .197 BA in 61 at-bats.
The talented young Schierholtz has shown that he can come through in a big way with any sort of regular playing time and he’s posted a .844 OPS, so far, in the month of June. His P/PA has been steadily improving and with regular playing time, he would likely be able to work on taking pitches, extending counts, and waiting for more walks.
Uribe can play shortstop too
The Juan Uribe signing this offseason has turned into a very positive move. In addition to being a very good third baseman, Uribe has shown similarly efficient defense at second base. But the skills don't run out there. He has been a gold glove caliber shortstop in past seasons and he still possesses many of the tools to remain effective there. Uribe is similar to Renteria in terms of range at short and he has a quick glove and a strong arm. Uribe’s offense has also been solid with a .736 OPS and a positive 3.3 value above replacement player.
Rivalry bullpens
Giants: 3.33 ERA (1st), .244 BAA (6th), 194 innings (14th), 1.80 K/BB
Dodgers: 3.44 ERA (2nd), .232 BAA (4th), 235.2 innings (2nd), 1.94 K/BB
There is some big-time overuse from the Dodgers, but their 'pen has been putting up numbers that rival the Giants.
Checking in on the bust-out pitchers
Jon Lester
21.0 IP, 26 K, 1.71 ERA, 0.76 WHIP
Tim Lincecum
33.1 IP, 33 K, 1.89 ERA, 0.96 WHIP (#1)
Manny Parra
7.1 IP, 4 K, 13.51 ERA, 2.59 WHIP
Aaron Harang
24.2 IP, 16 K, 2.23 ERA, 1.18 WHIP
Gil Meche
25.1, 20 K, 3.55 ERA, 0.95 WHIP
One start: 3.1 IP, 9 ER, 2 BB, 9 H
Javier Vazquez
28.2, 31 K, 2.20 ERA, 0.80 WHIP
Justin Verlander
28.2 IP, 30 K, 2.51 ERA, 1.15 WHIP
Cliff Lee
30.0 IP, 20 K, 2.40 ERA, 1.13 WHIP
Carl Pavano
1st start: 9.0 IP, 3 H, 2 BB, 0 ER, 6 Ks
Last 2 starts: 9.2 IP, 20 H, 2 BB, 15 ER, 2 Ks
Jorge De La Rosa
20.2 IP, 25 Ks, 6.97 ERA, 1.74 WHIP
Kevin Slowey
16.2 IP, 18 Ks, 4.32 ERA, 1.44 WHIP
John Danks
27 IP, 25 Ks, 3.33 ERA, 0.93 WHIP
Felix Hernandez
30.1 IP, 26 K, 1.19 ERA, 1.06 WHIP
Randy Johnson
23.2 IP, 15 K, 3.42 ERA, 1.10 WHIP
Joe Blanton
18.1 IP, 14 K, 3.44 ERA, 1.25 WHIP
Francisco Liriano
24 IP, 24 K, 4.12 ERA, 1.46 WHIP
Ubaldo Jimenez
30.2, 24 K, 3.23 ERA, 1.05 WHIP
Josh Beckett
28.2 IP, 29K, 1.88 ERA (all 6 runs in one start), 0.80 WHIP
Wandy Rodriguez
23.0 IP, 25 K, 5.87 ERA, 1.52 WHIP
Jordan Zimmermann (not man…mann)
16.2 IP, 16 K, 2.16 ERA, 1.02 WHIP
Cole Hamels
28.0 IP, 22 K, 2.57 ERA, 1.29 WHIP
Kevin Correia (former Giant)
26.2 IP, 20 K, 2.03 ERA, 0.56 WHIP!!!
Gavin Floyd
21.1 IP, 14 K, 1.27 ERA, 0.83 WHIP
I bet the Giants are wishing they had Correia over Sanchez right about now. Of the group; only Parra, De La Rosa, and Wa-Rod have disappointed. I think Wandy will put it right back together though.
Lincecum, Lester, and Beckett have been nothing short of spectacular. I’m a huge believer in the long-term success of Jordan Zimmermann. Floyd and Correia are the surprises of this bunch and Jimenez is dominating with one of the best fastballs in the game.
The ageless wonders, Vazquez and Johnson, continue to pitch great and don‘t look to be slowing down. Johnson looks incredible in a Giants uniform. I have Meche on all of my fantasy teams and he was pitching astoundingly well until he ran into a slugger by the name of Pujols, with the bases filled.
Random players that I really like:
6) Jack Wilson, SS
5) Michael Cuddyer, RF
4) Lance Berkman, 1B
The batting average will catch up to his other stats. He has a .420 OBP and .967 OPS in June. He’s owed roughly $25M through 2010.
3) Josh Willingham, LF
2) Jamey Carroll, 2B
No power, but a .381 OBP in ’09 and some really good defense.
1) Felipe Lopez, 2B
Other guys that I sort of like
Freddy Sanchez, 2B
Offense = yay, defense = boo, good offense>bad defense
Scott Hairston, LF
VORP= 20.2. He’s likely playing above his head and isn't really getting paid that much. The Padres are last in the NL West, but probably want to re-sign him.
Marlon Byrd, RF
P/PA: 3.70 in ’08, .842 OPS, 3.41 in ’09, .759 OPS
He‘s playing below his normal defensive level, but looks good in RF. Solid doubles hitter.
Sanchez improves
Quick note on J.S.: He showed much better focus and tenacity throughout the game on Tuesday, but ran into a few jams. He can still develop into a decent pitcher. A lot of Oakland hitters have weaknesses on the inside part of the plate and Sanchez wasn’t able to take advantage—staying mainly on the outside and bottom corners of the plate.
Hitter’s Park
The Giants rank 14th in team defensive efficiency according to Baseball Prospectus, but fifth in the park adjusted version, so yeah, AT&T is a hitter’s park…at least to left field.
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