Yup, I used +/- and then did the * .8 trick that you showed me to convert the totals into runs. Very cool.

What did you use for defense, +/-?

It’s interesting that, as lamented as his defense has been – he’s been about twice as good as Ray Ray. I would not have expected that.

Velez still has a lot to prove w/ the bat, but he took big steps doing so since Fresno. Hey may not make the starting 9 in 2009, but he should be on the 25.

Predicting an appropriate sample size for Sandoval is hard because he isn’t your typical hitter. He doesn’t seem to swing and miss at any particular pitch, and as such it might be a while before the scouts figure out what his weakness is.

But rest assured, he has a weakness. Once it is established, it then is just a question of how effectively pitchers can exploit that weakness.

I think he will regress significantly in 2009, but would not be overly surprised to see him keep the BA a little over 300 for the whole season. (And I use BA as a metric because he’s not gonna walk much, so BA == OBP)

I’m interested in your thoughts on Molina re: trading him. According to Sabean (yesterday’s press conference that I read on Baggs’ blog), Sandoval is “penciled in” at first. I believe Sabean also said that any movement would happen more through trades than the free agent market. Should they choose to move Molina, who do you think they could get for him, and how would they fill the gap at catcher? Posey?

If Molina is traded, Sandoval goes to C and the Giants can move Ishikawa to 1B.

@Delorean

The one guy I really got wrong was Erick Threets. Left-handed power pitchers don’t grow on trees, and I thought his stuff would be good enough to get hitters out at this level. Whoops on that.

I, too, have been guilty of liking Threets in the past. I’ve always liked his arm more than his actual pitching ability.

@Back to Wax

Do you guys think Sandoval has passed the “He’s had enough ABs for pitchers to adjust to him–now how’s he gonna do” test?

I sorta do and I’m not sure how much he has left to learn in the minors. He’ll be a big part of the Giants team next year and any steps he takes forward will greatly help out the team. I think he’ll have to adjust his plate approach some but he can hit.

I remember this being a criticism of Bowker–he tore it up the first couple of weeks or so, then cooled off considerably.

Did Sandoval get enough of a look to “prove” he can put up numbers like he did consistently? I’m definitely not doubting that he can. I’m just not knowledgable enough to really make a prediction, but I’m guessing more than a few posters here are.

I’ve been a big Sandoval booster since I saw him rake in SJ last year, but no one could have predicted what he would do in the bigs this year!

The one guy I really got wrong was Erick Threets. Left-handed power pitchers don’t grow on trees, and I thought his stuff would be good enough to get hitters out at this level. Whoops on that.

I also figure Bowker would not leave Fresno tell September.

Waxpack: I think the Giants are in a position of strength here. If the offer does not suit the Giants just wait. With Pablo the Giants should be able to keep Molina nice and fresh and his number decent well into the season. Someone will want to give a decent inf. ( hopefully left side) help for him to charge after a pennant eventually.

I’m interested in your thoughts on Molina re: trading him. According to Sabean (yesterday’s press conference that I read on Baggs’ blog), Sandoval is “penciled in” at first. I believe Sabean also said that any movement would happen more through trades than the free agent market. Should they choose to move Molina, who do you think they could get for him, and how would they fill the gap at catcher? Posey?

I think this could be an interesting, even exciting off-season for the Giants.