Big V to 1B

by Wheelhouse on Feb 21, 2008 10:38 AM EST

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/02/21/SPRSV5PT4.DTL

Snow's tutelage: Daniel Ortmeier is not the only novice first baseman working with special instructor J.T. Snow. Later this spring, on his second visit to camp, Snow expects to work at the minor-league camp with 17-year-old Angel Villalona, the $2 million bonus baby from the Dominican Republic. He was signed as a third baseman, but as he has grown, the organization has become convinced his body is better suited for first base.

"He has good hands for a 17-year-old kid," said Snow, who had to teach Villalona everything about the position from scratch. Snow expects Villalona to pick up the techniques because there are many similarities between playing third base and first. Snow also watched Villalona bat and said, "I've never seen a 17-year-old kid hit the ball like that. Very impressive."

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well i am surprised they are moving him this quickly, but he is certainly a lot bigger then when they signed him

shouldn't effect his value at all if his bat lives up to the hype - and he could end up as a plus defender at 1B

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ETA

Have to assume his ETA to the majors will be quicker as a first baseman.

Also presents some upcoming draft questions as they had a great shot at landing one of the top college 1B's like Smoak or Alonso that could have helped quick. No good college middle infielders worth the #5 pick.
Wouldn't suprise me if they went for a college arm.

Will have to see how this develops.

by colinadam on Feb 21, 2008 11:16 AM EST reply actions

Corner OF may be an option

for big v, smoak, or alonso - not like they don't have glaring holes there as well

by Wheelhouse on Feb 21, 2008 11:44 AM EST up reply actions

Smart

I think this is a smart move by the Giants. They realized that eventually, he was going to have to go to first. They might as well get him comfortable there for a number of years in the minors instead of having to team the position in a much shorter amount of time. I feel that too many teams try and tell themselves that players like this won't have to move when it makes much more sense to accept it and get them prepared early.

Check out MVN.com/mlb-braves for the best Braves coverage

by was385 on Feb 21, 2008 1:07 PM EST reply actions

Keeping Big V at 3rd

would certainly give the Giants more position flexibility, and would make the option of drafting Smoak or Alonso more attractive, however, if management feels that the defensive challenges of manning the hot corner could adversely affect V's development as a hitter, it would not be worth it. As more than one prospect site has attested, it is V's bat that will carry him to the Show, and it would be better that he is an average first baseman than a mediocre third baseman.

DrB has flat out predicted the Giants will select Matusz if he is available at #5. Perhaps this revelation about the Giants' plan with V is a sign that they will go with a pitcher again (perhaps Crow if Matusz is gone). In this draft, perhaps going with a premium arm like Matusz, Crow, or Melville would not be such a bad idea. I would think that if this draft class is as deep in college hitters as it is thought the Giants could still get a good hitter in the supplemental round and in the 3rd and 4th rounds.

Personally, I am becoming more and more intrigued with the possibility of the Giants drafting Tim Beckham, since as a shortstop he could easily handle the outfield as well. I doubt he will be around at #5, though. Another possibility is C Skipworth who could see his stock rise leading up to the draft.

Any thoughts on non-1b hitters who could be good (and available) picks when the Giants pick at #37 and in the 3rd and 4th rounds?

by baseballjunkie on Feb 21, 2008 7:45 PM EST reply actions

Agree With All That

It appears to me that there will still be good college power hitters available in the supplemental round such as Brett Wallace, Allan Dykstra, James Darnell, and others. If a Matusz, Crow, or Melville were still there at #5, I wouldn't be at all upset if they Giants grabbed them and then got their hitter in the supplemental round. Heck, it looks to me like there will still be good players available in round 3. I was just reading BA's early draft and college issue this morning and I'm liking this draft better all the time. I don't think there are any Justin Upton types at the top, but it looks very deep to me.

There are several college flamethrowers who could move way up and challenge for top 5-10 draft slots, Luke Perry, Cody Satterwhite, and others.

by DrBGiantsfan on Feb 21, 2008 8:13 PM EST up reply actions

Addendum

That should be Ryan Perry. Add in Tanner Scheppers as a college pitcher who can hit the high 90's with the heater and could move way up draft boards.

by DrBGiantsfan on Feb 22, 2008 1:02 AM EST up reply actions

I don't like the move

Unless he was playing like crap at 3B I think they should have given him a little more time. He would be more valuable at 3B. It's not like you need 3 years to make the move from 3B to 1B.

by nyy601 on Feb 21, 2008 7:58 PM EST reply actions

He just became less valuable

Talented? Yes, definately and he'll probably put up huge offensive numbers that justify that talent. But unless he plays first base like Doug Mientkiewicz, he just lost a lot of value now that he isn't playing a more defensively important position.

Before anybody argues, the value of a good defensive third baseman with offensive capability is a lot higher then an offensive first baseman with good defensive.

by TIF @ Minor League Ball on Feb 21, 2008 10:14 PM EST reply actions

Less Valuable?

The last time the Giants had a first baseman who could hit worth a darn was when Will Clark manned the position, so a first baseman who can hit like Angel V is projected to would be mighty valuable as far as I'm concerned.

by DrBGiantsfan on Feb 22, 2008 1:04 AM EST up reply actions

The last time

Yes, the last time the Giants had a first baseman who could hit well his name was Jack Clark. And the last time they had a third baseman who hit well his name was Matt Williams, whom I believe was drafted a year after Jack.

Like you, Dr., I would be happy if Angel fulfills his potential at EITHER position. But if he defense at the hot corner were close to his defense at first base, his bat would be even more valuable at what I would like coin as the "lesser corner" (hitting-wise).

by sharksrog on Feb 22, 2008 4:30 AM EST up reply actions

Oops!

Sorry. Wrong Clark. Good catch, Dr.

Trivia question: Which batter has the second-most extra-inning home runs in history? Clue: His last name is Clark.

by sharksrog on Feb 22, 2008 3:50 PM EST up reply actions

I tried to explain

But I'll do it again. I have no doubts Angel Villalona will be an all star caliber offensive player if / when he makes the majors. The concern is purely defensive. If he was an even average third base defender he would be worth more to the team, overall, then he would be if he were a good first base defender.

Having a good defender play third base is ideal; having a good defender play third base and hit .310 /.400 /.600 is huge. Having a good defender play first base and hit .310 /.400 /.600 is not as huge. It's just the reality of the requirements of the position, not the player himself.

Defense is important. Premium position defenders who hit well are more valuable. There really shouldn't be a debate there.

by TIF @ Minor League Ball on Feb 22, 2008 9:57 PM EST up reply actions

Another trivia question

Another trivia question: Which third baseman led the Texas League in both fielding percentage and errors -- and how could that have happened?

by sharksrog on Feb 22, 2008 3:51 PM EST reply actions

And the final trivia question

And a final trivia question: Which third baseman was observed at Casa Grande, Arizona playing for the then Class A Fresno Giants team, next to shortstop Johnny LeMaster?

by sharksrog on Feb 22, 2008 3:52 PM EST reply actions