Hitting Shoes
Screenshot from the box score yesterday. Man, how glorious it would be if they could hit like this when it counted. Ruf ‘Round The Edges is Rakin’. Billy Hamilton is hitting .294, lol. Oh well, enjoy it now, it’s all going away soon.
As much as I can’t stand the idea of an older dude like Solano on the team I’m leaning towards keeping him. For whatever reason this guy has hit for a high average since we got him. We need more guys like that. He was definitely a good find last season.
A Place To Talk About Giants Baseball 
On a day when score was 12-7 Cahill opened game with 3 no hit innings. Green could be interesting; he has played some 1b too. Maybe starts in Sac and comes up later. Second one of Ruf’s bombs went over batter’s eye in CF @430 ft according to Chron. Even for AZ that’s quite a bomb. If this guy (or a BHam) makes the team would it be at expense of Slater or other younger OF?
Btw long story on Belt from Shea, who mostly props him up due to bad luck numbers last season per times he hit ball hard with nothing to show for it.
He hits the ball hard, but right into the shift.
Solano seems to be a professional hitter…what is the consensus here at the Flap about Zach Green. Chances he can be a legit 3b starter??? Would that not be a godsend if he could be an every day starter by next year?
mm just turned 26 yesterday. Lit up Sac last year–.282/.380/.659 for over 1.000 OPS with 25 bombs in 250 ABs. 39 walks 99 Ks in 300 PAs. Giants only gave him 14 total ABs, with Longo and Sandoval taking up most of 3b/1b behind Belt. PCL numbers, idk how much you can go off but like to see him be in mix. Giants have lot of IFs, just not that many good young ones.
That would probably take an injury to Longo which could easily happen, I suppose. At some point the law of averages will kick in and we’ll start to see the Flab Four start to get hit with nagging shit that might open the door for someone like Green.
Nothing in the article about Belt making adjustments against the shift other than Shea to say Belt was a ‘victim’ of it. Come on, man.
“This is my 10th season. There’s a reason I’ve stuck around so long,” Belt said. “At the same time, they’re bringing a lot of stuff to that table you’ve got to listen to. They do their research, so if they have an adjustment they think will help, dang right we’re going to be open to it.”
The reason you have stuck around is there hasn’t been much competition for that spot. Ditto with Craw. Sure, I hope he does good, as I do with Crawfish, it’s just that we’ve seen so little from both for so long that it seems wholly unexpected.
J. Boo stuck around for 11…
He’s been no more a victim of hitting the ball to the right side than any other pull hitter. When he hits the ball on the ground, good things do not happen. That was true even before the shift:
https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/split.fcgi?id=beltbr01&year=Career&t=b#hitlo::none
Grounding outside pitches for occasional singles to the left side against the shift when no one is on base isn’t any more effective than drawing those boring walks.
it can absolutely be more effective than those boring walks. For starters, often that ball grounded into no man’s land turns into a double. Secondly, putting a ball in play can lead to a errant throw that can lead to an extra base which can lead to a run.
Tim Flannery sez right on, while Zaidi laughs.
actually if you think Zaidi doesn’t say “right on!” when Belt niggles a double against the shift when it should have been an out you’re foolin’ yourself. And if you think Z would have rather had him take a walk instead of hit the double, man, I can’t help ya there…..
Hopefully Belt’s stubbornness grates on Kap and the coaches at some point and they finally jettison his ass somewhere else. I’m obviously thankful for his contributions over the years, he’s been critical to a couple of our titles. But everyone needs a change. Nothing lasts forever.
They’ll jettison him for being washed up, but probably not for his approach. They realize that Belt does exactly those things that offenses are built on today. The fact that he’s never been as good at executing on that approach as the elite players is a different matter.
Here’s a photo of someone with coronavirus being transported in Nebraska.
Univ. of Nebraska bigwigs were probably freaking out over this photo. They count on a full football stadium for lots of $$$.
https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/fremonttribune.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/8/e4/8e4a3e94-45b5-5e3b-8323-2444cc927a99/5e63f5c34132b.image.jpg?resize=1024%2C592
It wouldn’t be a shock if the photographer wins a Pulitzer for the photo. It does capture a particular moment in time.
Shea points out Belt had some of worst luck in league by making high pct. of outs on hard hit balls and ones he “barreled.” Also BABIP at .275 way off career level of .322. Belt said he is trying to hit more line drives and not lift ball high in air so much, which cost him some distance on long fly balls.
Shea said, “This isn’t an excuse. This is the data.”
Belt said, “I know I’m doing the right thing. I know I have the right approach.”
Wait and see guys with options will be shipped out for the likes of Hambone, Ruf,Sanchez.. Can’t stand they guaranteed Pence&Panda automatic roster spots while you watch Davis&Green&Slater start in AAA…
I don’t get vibe that Kap is going to be hard on vets; so far he’s saying the exact opposite, sticking up for them and praising them. Plus, all of these guys including Belt have said how much they are into new approach by hitting coaches, at least for publication lol.
Belt: “…they’re bringing a lot of stuff to that table you’ve got to listen to. They do their research, so if they have an adjustment they think will help, dang right we’re going to be open to it.”
Belt is what he is. below average now. I’m with Craig. Was a good player who was solid in getting us a few titles, but now that was a long time ago.
His last 5 seasons. This as a 1b in MLB homer era. Hitting in the middle of the line up most of the time. HR RBI
18 68 in 2015
17 82 16
18 51 17
14 46 18
17 57 19
Ages 27-31. In his prime. Time to move on. On a good team he is a late inning defensive replacement with some pop off the bench and good for an occasional start.
exactly.
OK break from Belt wars:
Who is the only Rookie of the Year in Utah Jazz history?
Because I do not recognize the name/term Utah Jazz, I have to go with No Fuckingbody as ROR.
I remember the Jazz having a SG in the 80’s named Darrell Griffith? who was a solid player for them for years..
yeah Kat that’s it, their only one. cool player before knees gave out after 5-6 years.
Hey Davis just went yard to opposite field.
Pence is ripping the ball today. Do we believe in him?
Posey and Ruf smoked ball off Richards too. 6-1 Giants.
Harris is talking to Miller and Kruk right now.
Harris is one of the new era of young GMs who look like college kids.
I’ve decided I want a dude named Ruf on our team.
So did they:
It may not mean all that much in the big picture, but the Kings and Warriors both had great wins yesterday.
25-22
His brain was squirming like a toad.
If you give this man a ride, sweet memories will die . . .
Where’s Blade and Paul in BangBong?
I would never have guessed Gary Templeton’s career BA was only .271…
I remember his great talent being hampered later in his career by a sore knee.
Today’s medical practices probably could have helped him.
This is some dedication to a theme . . .
Yeah I’m digging the 1988 theme, the last time when they didn’t suck!
I guess a Dodger fan could say that the team on the front of those uniforms sucks, too.
But that would be childish…
Mr. Kotter can blow as much smoke as he wants up Belt and Crawfish’s ass as he wants. It’s the first week of March and nothing matters at this point. I supremely hope he doesn’t hold even a birthday candle to their hopes and dreams about this season and plants their asses on the bench should they come out slow.
Shit, DJ, Ozzie’s BA was .260 or some shit. Fucking Kuip had a higher BA iirc. Back when shortstops were no-hit all-field.
Zumie’s gotta be right about his knees, Chuck. Check out those first few seasons.
50 triples in 3 years!
https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/templga01.shtml