Here are some notable players headed to big league Spring Training camps…
- The Giants announced the names of 22 non-roster invitees to their Spring Training camp, some of whom are former Major Leaguers new to the organization. This group includes infielder Brad Eldred, catcher Chris Stewart, outfielder Terry Evans and right-handers Casey Daigle, Shane Loux and Ryan Vogelsong. Also on the list is Guillermo Mota (who re-signed with San Francisco last month) and Waldis Joaquin, who was claimed on waivers by the White Sox in November but rejected the claim to sign a minor league deal with the Giants. MLB.com's Chris Haft has the full list of invitees here.
- The Angels have signed Kevin Melillo, Kevin Richardson and Gil Velazquez to minor league contracts with Spring Training invites, reports Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times. Velazquez, a 13-year veteran, leads the trio in career Major League plate appearances (11) and joins the Angels after three years in Boston's organization. Richardson, a catcher, has spent his entire nine-year pro career in the Texas organization while utilityman Melillo played for Pittsburgh's Triple-A affiliate last season.
exciting moves angels…
Nooooo, not Gil Velazquez!
There it is. The Angels big off-season splash!
This is exactly what I was going to post.
Can’t wait to see what Brandon Belt can do.. Will Clark himself thinks that Belt has a better swing then he did… should be great
I just got my tickets for the 1st day of spring right in the front row right by the giants dugout and 1st base. The giants complex is the only spring facility to charge the same as it would be to watch a regular season game. These same tickets at the mariners complex would be a fraction of the cost. The giants have had the best spring facility until this year though. The diamondbacks are opening a new one this year that’s supposed to be unreal. But opening night of spring is going to be insane. They normally are insane every day at the Giants complex anyway but coming off a World Series title it should be AMAZING!
Nice to see Mr. Jennie Finch still potentially in the game…
Reagins is on fire!
I think ZIPS projects belt at something like .266/.320/.470 with 18-22 HR.
.266/.357/.440, 14 HRs in 500+ AB. A .320 OBP would be… not so good.
I’m skeptical of putting too much investment in the projection, though, given that Belt has had almost no adjustment time at AAA, where his AVG was very anemic but his OBP was very healthy. The sample size is really small right now, and while I’m excited to see what he can do, I’m tempering my expectations.
Oops. .320 was a typo. I meant to type .340
I am more than aware that a .320 OBP sucks.
Ive never heard of any of those minor league invites for the giants . Mota will make the team im almost positive . As for Jaquin ? he has a nasty sinker and throws 95+ but i remember control being an issue. Im glad he stayed with the giants though and didnt go to CHIcago
I’ve heard of Ryan Vogelsang. He was once a top prospect in the Pirates organization. He’s been injured, I’m pretty sure he’s been oversea, and a member of several organizations, spinning his wheels.
What to say? I admire his tenacity. Who knows? I will never write off any pitcher as long as he’s got a mound to pitch on.
If he’s 1) not terrible, 2) willing to pitch in the minors, and 3) cheap, I’d sign him in a heartbeat. An emergency starter or three is the organization’s most pressing need.
And more than just an emergency starter
Good to see Brad Eldred back in the swing of things. Here’s to hoping he can finally get some solid at bats. I’d like to see someone give him a shot to be at least a minor league everyday player. I can see him garnering comparison to Mark Reynolds due to his high power numbers and higher strikeout numbers. He hit 12 home runs in just about 210 plate appearances. Granted that is a very general comparison. Just glad to hear he’s making strides towards making a team again
I was going to post yesterday but didn’t want to extend a final comment until well after the posting was over.
Now that I’ve posted here I think I’ll go right notes on my desk and wait until mid-season to decide whether I should post again, or not.
sf giants -ITS GOOD TO CHAMPS