Give Giants Credit for Choosing Burriss
May 11th, 2009
I admit I was one of those who was hoping Kevin Frandsen would win the second base job in spring training. Frandsen appeared to have the better offensive potential, and it seemed like it was his time to prove whether he was a worthy major leaguer. I was, however, excited about the defensive potential of Emmanuel Burriss. I just never thought Burriss was going to hit much and was expecting a .230-.250 batting average.
After yesterday’s four-hit effort, that average is up to .287 (17 for his last 33) and Burriss is almost putting on his own Juan Pierre show (speaking of Pierre, I prefer if I don’t see that again.). He’s not trying to drive the ball, but just going with the pitch, often hitting the ball on the ground, and he’s getting results. Granted, the overall offensive numbers, outside the batting average aren’t that impressive. Burriss’ slugging percentage is only .307, he has an OPS of .658, and just five RBI’s (still three more than Fred Lewis). You can live with these numbers out of someone in the bottom of your lineup, as long as that player is a excellent defensive player.
Burriss, of course, is a very good defensive second baseman. Giants fans are probably most pleased with how he turns a double play. He takes ownership of the second base bag, hangs in there, and usually unloads very strong throws to first base. As a former shortstop, he has one of the strongest second base arms in the league. Burriss also displays great range and is running down a lot of balls that other second basemen wouldn’t get to.
Good defense makes solid pitching look even better. That’s part of the Giants identity: Good defense (except for Lewis in left), solid pitching, and timely hitting (well, two out of three isn’t so bad). It’s easy to be critical of Bruce Bochy and Brian Sabean, but we have to give them credit when credit is due, and selecting Burriss as the second base starter from the outset was a good decision.
If you’re wondering about Frandsen’s numbers in the hitter-friendly PCL, here they are. The .295 average is alright, but you’d like to see a little better than a .772 OPS in that league.
McCovey Chronicles with an “I Told You So” about Burriss. While I wasn’t in favor of Burriss winning the job outright, I never wanted the Giants to send him down or bench him, either. His defense was still good enough when he was hitting .220.
And, having said all that, I don’t like the idea of moving him up in that lineup.
I hate getting carried away with wins in the first couple months of the season, but considering the Manny Ramirez circumstances and the Giants getting swept in L.A. earlier this year, yesterday’s win was HUGE. It was a small-ball series win, writes Andrew Baggarly.
Casey Blake has pissed off Brian Wilson. It was a dick move by Blake, no question. With all due respect to Wilson, this rivalry could use a little more juice. I want the Giants vs. Dodgers of old, and this helps. Next time the Dodgers are in San Francisco, Blake should hear plenty of ribbing from fans on the third base side of the field.
At Inside Baggs, the postgame notes include Travis Ishikawa’s struggles and Adam Dunn.
A week after saying the Giants were a 78-win team, Tim Kawakami now links them to a pennant race.
It was also a great day for the Giants minor league system. How about Tim Alderson’s awesome Double-A debut (6.2 no-hit innings).
A’s
After getting nailed by a long drive in yesterday’s loss, Dallas Braden is bruised but okay. The A’s are having their own problems hitting lefties as Brett Cecil, of all people, shut them down.
In Curtis Pashelka’s notebook, Bob Geren discusses his rotation with the couple days off the A’s have this week.
Justin Duchscherer is going to go through his rehab as a starter, not a reliever. That’s simply the best move the A’s can make. If they’re going to do anything this season, The Duke is going to have to have a couple of big months as a starter.
It’s a not-so-rosy outlook for this and next season from Athletics Nation, saying the A’s are missing key pieces over the next couple of years.
Scott Ostler caught up with former Athletic Marco Scutaro.
49ers
Function and Fashion were part of the 49ers new uniform design, writes Matt Barrows.
Barrows also does a Q&A where he addresses Ahmad Brooks among others.
The team is leaving themselves open to be questioned for not addressing priorities, writes Kevin Lynch.
Raiders
Darrius Heyward-Bey got a welcome to the NFL from Nmandi Asomugha.
As minicamp concludes, Jerry McDonald is all over it. David White has his own notes.
Warriors
Marcus Thompson throws out a Jamal Crawford to the Blazers trade. I like it, but don’t see the Blazers agreeing.
A look at the Warriors cap situation, from Adam Lauridsen. No matter how many times you see it, it’s always painful to look at Corey Maggette and Jamal Crawford’s salaries.
A draft history of trading picks from Golden State of Mind.
Other Items
Manny Ramirez is a coward, writes Bruce Jenkins.
Kawakami gets reaction to his NBA No-Defense Team.
Cam Inman tries to touch on everything, including Derrick Burgess missing minicamp.
The Cal men’s hoops team is twelfth according to SI.com
The Stanford softball team enters the NCAA’s with a high seed and a losing streak, writes Michelle Smith.
Game Today
Giants (Randy Johnson) vs. Nationals (Daniel Cabrera) 7:15 PST
Categories: San Francisco Giants | Tags: 49ers, A's, Adam Dunn, Ahmad Brooks, Bob Geren, Brett Cecil, Brian Sabean, Brian Wilson, Bruce Bochy, Cal, Casey Blake, Corey Maggette, Dallas Braden, Darrius Heyward-Bey, Emmanuel Burriss, Fred Lewis, Giants, Jamal Crawford, Juan Pierre, Justin Duchscherer, Kevin Frandsen, Manny Ramirez, Marco Scutaro, Raiders, Stanford, Tim Alderson, Travis Ishikawa, Warriors
