Andrew McCutchen won a lot of fans with his play and demeanor in his short time in San Francisco. Predictably he was traded before the deadline after he cleared waivers. The business part of the game still intrudes rudely despite five decades of fandom. I knew the odds he would be in another uniform by the end of the season were pretty good, and it is a move the organization has to make, but it still stinks. Cutch played with grace and class and was well-liked almost immediately. At 31 and in his tenth season, he's not the 7+ WAR player he was from 2012-2014 when he won the MVP ('13) and finished third in the voting twice ('12, '14). But that doesn't mean he isn't a good player! He leaves leading the team in hits, runs, doubles, homers, RBIs, total bases, and stolen bases. Of the Giants 135 games Cutch has started in 128 and appeared in 130 (most on the team), and also has the most plate appearances. The guy has been a rock in a season of inconsistency. So, farewell to our short-timer, and I would normally wish him well but he wound up on the Yankees, and they're no fun to root for. Maybe he'll hit a bunch of homers in the playoffs but the Bombers will still lose. That'll be OK by me.
McCutchen was the 11th pick of the 2005 draft. Here are some guys drafted ahead of him: Justin Upton, Alex Gordon, Ryan Zimmerman, Ryan Braun, and Troy Tulowitzki. Here are some guys drafted after him (still in the 1st round): Jacoby Ellsbury, Jay Bruce, Jed Lowrie, Clay Buchholz, Colby Rasmus. The Giants did not have a pick until the fourth round that year, and the only significant piece from that draft came with the 852nd pick (28th round): Sergio Romo. The Giants had to give up their picks in the first three rounds as free agent compensation for Armando Benitez, Mike Matheny, and Omar Vizquel.
In return the Giants get two youngsters from the Dominican Republic. One is a 23-year old utility infielder named Abiatal Avelino. He's been in the Yankees system since he was 17 and has some time in the Dominican Winter League but no ML service. The other is an almost-21-year old right handed pitcher named Juan De Paula. He was in the Seattle organization and has seen some time in the Domincan Summer League as well as low-A ball with New York. He also has no ML service. Welcome aboard, FNGs!
--M.C.
Showing posts with label Cutch. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cutch. Show all posts
Friday, August 31, 2018
Wednesday, June 6, 2018
Giants Bite Back
SF 5 AZ 4 (10)
The Giants snatched victory from the jaws of defeat this afternoon in San Francisco with three runs in the final two frames. Trailing 4-2 in the 9th with one out Mac Williamson drew a walk. With two outs and down to his final strike pinch-hitter Alen Hanson blasted a game-tying homer to right field. That was some big-time last-gasp heroics! It almost didn't work: Hunter Strickland walked the first batter in the top of the 10th and wild-pitched him to third base (and walked another batter) before wriggling out of the jam. That set the stage for Andrew McCutchen who blasted what looked like the winning homer with two out in the bottom half only to see it stay in the park for a double. He probably should have had a triple with that one but he jogged out of the box before accelerating to second. Centerfielder Jarrod Dyson might have misplayed it, perhaps losing it in the sun, or was victimized by a gust of wind, but it mattered not. Next batter Brandon Crawford ripped a single to right to plate Cutch and the Giants had a sensational win.
The 31-31 Giants are off tomorrow and then hit the road for three in D.C., four in Miami, and three in LA. Let's hope they play better ball on this trip. Andrew Suarez faces off with Stephen Strasburg on Friday at 4:05 Pacific. GO GIANTS!
--M.C.
The Giants snatched victory from the jaws of defeat this afternoon in San Francisco with three runs in the final two frames. Trailing 4-2 in the 9th with one out Mac Williamson drew a walk. With two outs and down to his final strike pinch-hitter Alen Hanson blasted a game-tying homer to right field. That was some big-time last-gasp heroics! It almost didn't work: Hunter Strickland walked the first batter in the top of the 10th and wild-pitched him to third base (and walked another batter) before wriggling out of the jam. That set the stage for Andrew McCutchen who blasted what looked like the winning homer with two out in the bottom half only to see it stay in the park for a double. He probably should have had a triple with that one but he jogged out of the box before accelerating to second. Centerfielder Jarrod Dyson might have misplayed it, perhaps losing it in the sun, or was victimized by a gust of wind, but it mattered not. Next batter Brandon Crawford ripped a single to right to plate Cutch and the Giants had a sensational win.
The 31-31 Giants are off tomorrow and then hit the road for three in D.C., four in Miami, and three in LA. Let's hope they play better ball on this trip. Andrew Suarez faces off with Stephen Strasburg on Friday at 4:05 Pacific. GO GIANTS!
--M.C.
Sunday, June 3, 2018
Philistines Sent Packing
Less than one month ago, the Philadelphia Phillies scored 32 runs against the Giants in 4 games in Philly, completely humiliating them and making our season look dismal. Today, the Giants gave up the only run in the visit by Philadelphia, sweeping them in a 3 game series by a final score of 6 - 1.
Dereck Rodriguez, son of Pudge Rodriguez, started for the Giants. He looks really very good. I know it is a small sample size, but he looks like he is poised on the mound, mixes pitches extremely well and doesn't look like the kind of guy you would want to charge the mound against. He threw 85 pitches to get through 6 innings, struck out 6, gave up 1 on a home run and walked 2. Kudos on the offensive side to Joe Panik (2 for 4 with the tying rbi), Buster Posey (2 for 4 with 2 rbi including a solo shot for the 6th run), Andrew McCutcheon (2 for 4 with a 3-run blast to right to significantly alter the Giants probability of a win) and Brandon Crawford (2 for 4). Mark Melancon pitched for an inning, striking out 3 guys in balls that were not close to the strike zone.
Did I mention that we swept the Filthies? We allowed 1 run on the weekend. We move up 3 games this weekend on the 1st place Roxies, who lost 3 to LA. The smog-suckers are neck-and-neck with us. We have used young talent that looks like real talent. Stratton, Suarez, and Rodriguez. Feel free to discuss what a stud Rodriguez is in the comments.
Dereck Rodriguez, son of Pudge Rodriguez, started for the Giants. He looks really very good. I know it is a small sample size, but he looks like he is poised on the mound, mixes pitches extremely well and doesn't look like the kind of guy you would want to charge the mound against. He threw 85 pitches to get through 6 innings, struck out 6, gave up 1 on a home run and walked 2. Kudos on the offensive side to Joe Panik (2 for 4 with the tying rbi), Buster Posey (2 for 4 with 2 rbi including a solo shot for the 6th run), Andrew McCutcheon (2 for 4 with a 3-run blast to right to significantly alter the Giants probability of a win) and Brandon Crawford (2 for 4). Mark Melancon pitched for an inning, striking out 3 guys in balls that were not close to the strike zone.
Did I mention that we swept the Filthies? We allowed 1 run on the weekend. We move up 3 games this weekend on the 1st place Roxies, who lost 3 to LA. The smog-suckers are neck-and-neck with us. We have used young talent that looks like real talent. Stratton, Suarez, and Rodriguez. Feel free to discuss what a stud Rodriguez is in the comments.
Saturday, June 2, 2018
Another Shutout!
SF 2 PHI 0
The Giants pulled the little-ball arrow from the quiver tonight and eked past the Phillies in a taut, well-played game. Joe Panik and Andrew McCutchen had a nifty hit-&-productive out combo to get one in the 6th and did it again for one more in the 8th and that was enough. Credit has to go to Andrew Suarez for his best start (7 IP, 3 H, 0 W, 5 K) so far in the bigs in this his rookie season. The Phillies are a good club and clobbered the Giants last month in Philadelphia. They look like they have a lot of young talent like their starter Vince Velasquez who struck out nine in his 6-1/3. But Suarez was up to the challenge and faced only 24 batters and dispatched them on a mere 86 pitches. Tony Watson and Hunter Strickland got the last six outs on 17 pitches.
Joe Panik on the radio post-game called his slick slide in the 6th to score the Giants first run a "hook" and commented that with his thumb injury there was no way he was going head first. Flemm called it a "fadeaway" but the point is it was nice execution at a critical time. It's good to have Panik back! Another highlight was Cutch's catch in the 3rd which saved a run, Flemm called it "his best play as a Giant."
The Giants are a different team at home (16-10) than on the road (12-20). Tomorrow afternoon (1:05 p.m.) it is Dereck Rodriguez getting his first career start. He's matched up with Jake Arrieta who will be making his 202nd career start.
GO GIANTS!
--M.C.
The Giants pulled the little-ball arrow from the quiver tonight and eked past the Phillies in a taut, well-played game. Joe Panik and Andrew McCutchen had a nifty hit-&-productive out combo to get one in the 6th and did it again for one more in the 8th and that was enough. Credit has to go to Andrew Suarez for his best start (7 IP, 3 H, 0 W, 5 K) so far in the bigs in this his rookie season. The Phillies are a good club and clobbered the Giants last month in Philadelphia. They look like they have a lot of young talent like their starter Vince Velasquez who struck out nine in his 6-1/3. But Suarez was up to the challenge and faced only 24 batters and dispatched them on a mere 86 pitches. Tony Watson and Hunter Strickland got the last six outs on 17 pitches.
Joe Panik on the radio post-game called his slick slide in the 6th to score the Giants first run a "hook" and commented that with his thumb injury there was no way he was going head first. Flemm called it a "fadeaway" but the point is it was nice execution at a critical time. It's good to have Panik back! Another highlight was Cutch's catch in the 3rd which saved a run, Flemm called it "his best play as a Giant."
The Giants are a different team at home (16-10) than on the road (12-20). Tomorrow afternoon (1:05 p.m.) it is Dereck Rodriguez getting his first career start. He's matched up with Jake Arrieta who will be making his 202nd career start.
GO GIANTS!
--M.C.
Saturday, May 26, 2018
Wrigley Win
SF 5 CHC 4
The Giants looked good in sunny Chicago this afternoon and held on to beat the Cubs. Gorkys Hernandez flashed some mad small ball skills and Brandon Crawford dazzled with the bat and the glove and the visiting squad snapped their three-game skid. Contributions from Brandon Belt, Andrew McCutchen, and Mac Williamson did the rest of the damage as the Giants overcame 2-0 and 3-2 deficits. Hernandez is slashing .311/.333/.505 with 12 hits in his last eight games so I think he's earning his playing time. Chris Stratton faltered, but didn't fall apart, and finished strong, striking out six in his five innings (21 batters, 88 pitches) and leaving with a 4-3 lead. Reyes Moronta and Sam Dyson put up zeroes in their frames but Tony Watson gave us a scare with two hits and a run in the 8th. Fortunately Hunter Strickland had a 1-2-3 9th to seal it and the Giants had an impressive, well-played win.
Ty Blach tomorrow at 5:08 Pacific. GO GIANTS!
--M.C.
The Giants looked good in sunny Chicago this afternoon and held on to beat the Cubs. Gorkys Hernandez flashed some mad small ball skills and Brandon Crawford dazzled with the bat and the glove and the visiting squad snapped their three-game skid. Contributions from Brandon Belt, Andrew McCutchen, and Mac Williamson did the rest of the damage as the Giants overcame 2-0 and 3-2 deficits. Hernandez is slashing .311/.333/.505 with 12 hits in his last eight games so I think he's earning his playing time. Chris Stratton faltered, but didn't fall apart, and finished strong, striking out six in his five innings (21 batters, 88 pitches) and leaving with a 4-3 lead. Reyes Moronta and Sam Dyson put up zeroes in their frames but Tony Watson gave us a scare with two hits and a run in the 8th. Fortunately Hunter Strickland had a 1-2-3 9th to seal it and the Giants had an impressive, well-played win.
Ty Blach tomorrow at 5:08 Pacific. GO GIANTS!
--M.C.
Tuesday, April 10, 2018
Snakebit Giants Still Prevail!
SF 5 AZ 4
The Giants didn't need more bad news but they got some anyway--starter Johnny Cueto hits the DL with an ankle injury. Rookie Tyler Beede made his ML debut a night earlier than he expected to and had a rough time of it. He gave up two quick runs in the 1st and labored (20 batters, 82 pitches, 5 walks) through four. Reyes Moronta added two scoreless. Down 2-0 in the 6th the Giants rallied against Patrick Corbin who had been overpowering to that point. Up 3-2 a two-out hit by Brandon Crawford sent Andrew McCutchen home with what looked like run number four. The safe call, alas, was overturned by replay and some of the happy buzz from the rally was killed a bit. The Diamondbacks tied it up immediately against Josh Osich but fine relief work from Cory Gearrin and Tony Watson kept it knotted 3-3 into the 8th. In the bottom half, a walk to McCutchen and a single by Buster Posey put men on first and second for Evan Longoria with one out. He struck out, but with the runners going, Alex Avila chucked it into centerfield and Cutch came around to score to make it 4-3. The old double-steal/catcher-error play! Hunter Strickland got the first two outs in the 9th but gave up a bomb to--who else?--Paul Goldschmidt and the game was tied, again.
That crushing blow merely served to set up the winning rally in the bottom of the 9th. A walk to Kelby Tomlinson, a sacrifice bunt by Gorkys Hernandez, a walk to Austin Jackson, and a walk to Brandon Belt loaded the bases for Cutch. He delivered the game-winner on the first pitch and the Giants had a dramatic, hard-fought, much-needed victory.
On the radio Flemm said at the end of the game "in the NL West this year there will be a lot of games like this." I think he's right. This Giants team has a chance to be really good. They are holding their own with three starters and two relievers on the shelf and a team OPS in the bottom third. If they can get the offense warmed up a bit imagine what they could do. The pitching has been very tough overall considering the injuries, and the fielding looks very good. Rookie Andrew Suarez will most likely make his ML debut tomorrow. We wanted the team to get younger, didn't we?
GO GIANTS!
--M.C.
The Giants didn't need more bad news but they got some anyway--starter Johnny Cueto hits the DL with an ankle injury. Rookie Tyler Beede made his ML debut a night earlier than he expected to and had a rough time of it. He gave up two quick runs in the 1st and labored (20 batters, 82 pitches, 5 walks) through four. Reyes Moronta added two scoreless. Down 2-0 in the 6th the Giants rallied against Patrick Corbin who had been overpowering to that point. Up 3-2 a two-out hit by Brandon Crawford sent Andrew McCutchen home with what looked like run number four. The safe call, alas, was overturned by replay and some of the happy buzz from the rally was killed a bit. The Diamondbacks tied it up immediately against Josh Osich but fine relief work from Cory Gearrin and Tony Watson kept it knotted 3-3 into the 8th. In the bottom half, a walk to McCutchen and a single by Buster Posey put men on first and second for Evan Longoria with one out. He struck out, but with the runners going, Alex Avila chucked it into centerfield and Cutch came around to score to make it 4-3. The old double-steal/catcher-error play! Hunter Strickland got the first two outs in the 9th but gave up a bomb to--who else?--Paul Goldschmidt and the game was tied, again.
That crushing blow merely served to set up the winning rally in the bottom of the 9th. A walk to Kelby Tomlinson, a sacrifice bunt by Gorkys Hernandez, a walk to Austin Jackson, and a walk to Brandon Belt loaded the bases for Cutch. He delivered the game-winner on the first pitch and the Giants had a dramatic, hard-fought, much-needed victory.
On the radio Flemm said at the end of the game "in the NL West this year there will be a lot of games like this." I think he's right. This Giants team has a chance to be really good. They are holding their own with three starters and two relievers on the shelf and a team OPS in the bottom third. If they can get the offense warmed up a bit imagine what they could do. The pitching has been very tough overall considering the injuries, and the fielding looks very good. Rookie Andrew Suarez will most likely make his ML debut tomorrow. We wanted the team to get younger, didn't we?
GO GIANTS!
--M.C.
Saturday, April 7, 2018
FNG Supreme
SF 7 LA 5 (14)
Andrew "Clutch" McCutchen clobbered a three-run homer, a walk-off winner, to cap a 6-hit game that led the Giants to an epic extra-inning win. It all seemed lost in the top of the 14th when the Dodgers scored against Roberto Gomez, the Giants ninth pitcher. He gave up three hits to the first three batters but then retired the side with only the one scoring. The second out was a whiff of Clayton Kershaw, pinch-hitting as the Dodgers had run out of players. It was that kind of game. The Giants had a lot of chances, particularly in the 12th against Kenley Jansen, but obligingly struck out (18 K by LA) whenever they needed a big hit. Overall the Giants bullpen delivered an amazing performance despite blowing the lead after picking up for a flagging Chris Stratton in the 6th. In the end it was a battle of wills as both rosters were running on empty.
Kelby Tomlinson led off the winning sequence with a single, Joe Panik followed with his third hit, and Clutch got his chance to be a hero. It was a magnificent 12-pitch battle that ended with the big bomb and a happy home crowd. A memorable performance by our new right fielder!
Friday's rainout will be made up as part of a double-header on April 28th. Tomorrow Ty Blach matches up with Clayton Kershaw at 1:05.
GO GIANTS!
--M.C.
p.s. Buster Posey hit a two-run homer in the 4th, his first of the season.
Andrew "Clutch" McCutchen clobbered a three-run homer, a walk-off winner, to cap a 6-hit game that led the Giants to an epic extra-inning win. It all seemed lost in the top of the 14th when the Dodgers scored against Roberto Gomez, the Giants ninth pitcher. He gave up three hits to the first three batters but then retired the side with only the one scoring. The second out was a whiff of Clayton Kershaw, pinch-hitting as the Dodgers had run out of players. It was that kind of game. The Giants had a lot of chances, particularly in the 12th against Kenley Jansen, but obligingly struck out (18 K by LA) whenever they needed a big hit. Overall the Giants bullpen delivered an amazing performance despite blowing the lead after picking up for a flagging Chris Stratton in the 6th. In the end it was a battle of wills as both rosters were running on empty.
Kelby Tomlinson led off the winning sequence with a single, Joe Panik followed with his third hit, and Clutch got his chance to be a hero. It was a magnificent 12-pitch battle that ended with the big bomb and a happy home crowd. A memorable performance by our new right fielder!
Friday's rainout will be made up as part of a double-header on April 28th. Tomorrow Ty Blach matches up with Clayton Kershaw at 1:05.
GO GIANTS!
--M.C.
p.s. Buster Posey hit a two-run homer in the 4th, his first of the season.
Tuesday, January 16, 2018
Cutch
I've always coveted Andrew McCutchen. Now he is on the Giants! He's an outstanding player and even in the so-called "decline phase" of his career he's better than most. Same goes for Evan Longoria, although the Giants are committed to him for five seasons (through 2022 and an option for '23) which I'm still getting used to. Cutch is here for one year and then is a free agent. Figure the Giants to give him a qualifying offer this fall and if he goes that fattens up the draft picks. So a win right now--an improved club. And a win later--QO draft compensation.
I'm not sure how the Giants will use the veteran centerfielder. As it stands the team is better with him in CF than is was last season with Denard Span and Gorkys Hernandez. Ideally Cutch would move to RF and Hunter Pence would move to LF. Jarrett Parker backs up both corners and we get a defensive specialist for center. Is Hernandez still part of that plan? Is Steven Duggar ready for the majors (probably not, he's only had a month in AAA)? Regardless, the coaches will figure that stuff out in Spring Training. Right now the Giants have a new right-handed power bat to plug into the 3-4-5 part of the lineup and that's a huge boost. In fact, I'm starting to like this lineup. Considering how anemic the offense was last season that's something. Obviously healthy lefties like Brandon Belt, Joe Panik, and Brandon Crawford will go a long way to improving things. But Buster Posey finally gets some "protection" from two other accomplished career hitters (Longo and Cutch) and that has to help.
The Giants have not acted on the bullpen and in fact they had to let go of a promising young piece in Kyle Crick. But I think they believe the return of Will Smith and a full season of their shiny bauble from last season (closer Mark Melancon) will make a big impact on roles and outcomes. Sam Dyson was a nice pickup and complements guys like Hunter Strickland and Cory Gearrin very well. With Law/Okert/Osich/Blach/Moronta you've got some depth to build from. I'm not concerned with the pitching side as long as MadBum and JohnnyC are healthy and available all season long. And I do believe Longo and Cutch improve the team's fielding (the Giants infield looks really strong) and that of course will help the pitchers.
I did not expect another big move after Longo so getting Cutch is a nice surprise. I'm starting to feel a lot better about 2018.
--M.C.
I'm not sure how the Giants will use the veteran centerfielder. As it stands the team is better with him in CF than is was last season with Denard Span and Gorkys Hernandez. Ideally Cutch would move to RF and Hunter Pence would move to LF. Jarrett Parker backs up both corners and we get a defensive specialist for center. Is Hernandez still part of that plan? Is Steven Duggar ready for the majors (probably not, he's only had a month in AAA)? Regardless, the coaches will figure that stuff out in Spring Training. Right now the Giants have a new right-handed power bat to plug into the 3-4-5 part of the lineup and that's a huge boost. In fact, I'm starting to like this lineup. Considering how anemic the offense was last season that's something. Obviously healthy lefties like Brandon Belt, Joe Panik, and Brandon Crawford will go a long way to improving things. But Buster Posey finally gets some "protection" from two other accomplished career hitters (Longo and Cutch) and that has to help.
The Giants have not acted on the bullpen and in fact they had to let go of a promising young piece in Kyle Crick. But I think they believe the return of Will Smith and a full season of their shiny bauble from last season (closer Mark Melancon) will make a big impact on roles and outcomes. Sam Dyson was a nice pickup and complements guys like Hunter Strickland and Cory Gearrin very well. With Law/Okert/Osich/Blach/Moronta you've got some depth to build from. I'm not concerned with the pitching side as long as MadBum and JohnnyC are healthy and available all season long. And I do believe Longo and Cutch improve the team's fielding (the Giants infield looks really strong) and that of course will help the pitchers.
I did not expect another big move after Longo so getting Cutch is a nice surprise. I'm starting to feel a lot better about 2018.
--M.C.
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