Impact Analysis: San Francisco Giants youth movement

August 28, 2008 @ 10:01:44

By Bryce McRae
Edited by Herija C. Green and Nicholas Minnix

The youth movement is well underway for the San Francisco Giants. It was bound to happen sooner or later as the club ranks near the bottom of the National League, and their playoff hopes ended around the same time as Hillary Clinton's presidential bid.

However, out of the chaos have emerged some decent fantasy plays. Gone from the lineup are veteran shortstop Omar Vizquel and third baseman Jose Castillo (Houston Astros), who was released. Infielder Rich Aurilia has also seen a bit of a reduction in at-bats.

In place of the vets have emerged such household names as catcher/corner infielder Pablo Sandoval, first baseman Travis Ishikawa and second baseman Emmanuel Burris. OK, household only if you reside in the shadow of AT&T Park, and for most it's not on an everyday basis. However, you should definitely be aware of these players, especially as the fantasy season enters its stretch run.

In addition to fantasy implications, the moves have to be encouraging for Giants fans as the young guys have responded with a 14-11 record in August.

The veterans

Rich Aurilia, first base/third base - Aurilia is hitting .270 on the season, which is six points lower than his career average. However, his average is only that "high" because of a resurgent June (.359-1-14). He turns 37 Tuesday, Sept. 2, and returns minimal power for a corner infield spot.

Omar Vizquel, shortstop - The former Gold Glove Award winner missed the first five-plus weeks of the season and has never settled in. Vizquel has an atrocious .180-0-13 line with 17 runs and four stolen bases in 68 games.

Jose Castillo, third base - Claimed off waivers before the season, Castillo hit just .244 with six home runs and 35 RBIs as San Francisco's primary third baseman. He was designated for assignment Aug. 13.

The new guys

Pablo Sandoval, first base/third base/catcher - Sandoval has received work at three positions, which is great for his eligibility. He has great offensive potential, carrying a .303 career average in the minors and posting a .350-20-96 line in 448 minor league at-bats this season. The versatility should help the switch-hitting Sandoval stick in the majors as the Giants have a top prospect, infielder Angel Villalona, playing for Class A Augusta. However, his ETA is likely 2010, at best.

Travis Ishikawa, first base - The Washington native returned to the majors after spending his entire 2007 season with high Single-A San Jose and Double-A Connecticut. The 23-year-old infielder has some solid offensive ability, which he displayed with a .310-16-46 line in just 48 games with Triple-A Fresno this year. He is rough defensively but has shown maturity at the plate, hitting .333 with runners in scoring position since joining the club. Ishikawa also has some experience in the majors as he hit .292 over a few brief stints with the Giants in 2006. If he shows something, Ishikawa could find himself in a competition with Sandoval and first baseman John Bowker next season.

Emmanuel Burriss, second base - When veteran Ray Durham was shipped to the Milwaukee Brewers in late July, it opened up time at second base. Burriss has snagged the starting job thanks to a .350 on-base percentage and 12 steals in 80 games. He possesses a .347 career on-base percentage in the minors, so there is reason to believe he can keep up his current clip. Plus, he stole 105 bases in 204 career minor league games.

Eugenio Velez, second base - Velez is another promising youngster, though he has managed just a .222 average and a .272 on-base percentage in 189 career at-bats over the last two seasons. However, he is a huge threat on the basepaths with 131 stolen bases in the minors since 2006. Velez is currently serving in a reserve capacity but could push for a job next spring if he can raise his offensive game.

Ivan Ochoa, shortstop - Ochoa has taken over for Vizquel at short, receiving 20 starts there in August. However, he has not shown much offensively, hitting just .236 (.203 in August) and having failed to swipe a base in 30 games. Ochoa displayed limited offense in the minors, where he carries a .255 career average, though he has hit .302 in 510 combined Triple-A at-bats. Stolen bases were his primary contribution (168 in 701 career games) in the minors, but as noted he has yet to notch his first major league theft. Burriss could end up taking over at shortstop in place of Ochoa if the team wants to get Velez into the lineup at second.

Ryan Rohlinger, third base - The 2006 sixth overall pick earned a call-up after hitting .296 with six home runs and 19 RBIs in 44 games with Double-A Connecticut. He started seven games in his first eight days in the majors, but he has just one at-bat since Aug. 21 after going 3-for-25 with seven strikeouts. Rohlinger offers potential at third, but he is likely a year or two away from making a meaningful impact.

John Bowker, outfield/first base - Bowker was hot for the Giants in May and June (.312-5-26 combined) before hitting the rookie wall in July and August (.186-1-5 combined). He's currently at Triple-A Fresno but figures to return when the rosters expand. He should have a shot at a spot in the starting lineup next season.

Fantasy outlook

In an offense near the bottom of the league, you will need an alchemist's touch to make fantasy gold with this team. Sandoval has been the best of the bunch offensively and is someone to target in NL-only and two-catcher mixed leagues, mainly for those owners trying to make up a few points in the average department.

Burriss is a solid option in NL-only leagues, while Ishikawa and Velez are more speculative options in deep NL-only formats. Bowker could hold value upon his return, but it remains to be seen if he'll get enough at-bats to be worth adding. Each of these players has value in deep keeper leagues.

Ochoa could also be a desperation option in NL-only leagues based on playing time, but the way he's swinging the bat right now he'd be a detriment to most clubs. Rohlinger should not be considered in single-year leagues.

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Bryce McRae
Bryce McRae is a Managing Editor with KFFL and has been involved in fantasy sports since 1999. He joined KFFL as a volunteer writer in March 2005 before becoming a Hot off the Wire Analyst in March 2006. He began working in his current capacity in September 2008. His work has appeared on fantasy sports sites such as Yahoo! and CBS Sportsline as well as in print. He graduated from the University of British Columbia in 2008 with a B.A. in History and U.S. Studies.

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