Brandon Crawford - Sleeper or Undermatched?

by gore51 on Apr 28, 2009 5:29 PM EDT

Crawford has always been a tools guys. At UCLA he was praised for his raw tools, but it seemed like he never put it all together in a season; I mean he was good, but just not as good as his abilities could make him. The Giants took a shot on him in the 4th round last year but he only appeared in 4 games. This season he is starting out in High-A San Jose (part of the mega-prospect infield/team). So far, he is absolutely raking:

Team	League	AVG	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	TB	BB	SO	SB	CS	OBP	SLG	OPS
SJ	CAL	.389	18	72	15	28	2	2	5	14	49	9	23	2	2	.476	.681	1.157

What do you think of him going forward? Did he put all of his stuff together now that he is pro? Or will he falter in higher levels? One thing that really sticks out to me is his 9 BB/23 K, which to me shows me that he has decent discipline, but still strikes out a bunch. Unfortunately I haven't been able to make it up to Muni so far this year so any first-person knowledge would be appreciated.

John rated him outside the top-20 Giants prospects to begin the year. Does he have a shot to crack the top-5 (behind Bumgarner, Alderson, Posey, and Villalona) this year?

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He'll hit a wall.

He consistently was held in check by good pitching in college, and I’d expect more of the same in the pros. His power will fade away in a less hitter friendly league and against more advanced pitching. Facing good secondary pitches is his huge weakness, and he’ll get a more consistent dose of that at higher levels. He does have the tools, but his strikeouts and baserunning efficiency numbers are the same as they were in college, so expect some regression. His BABIP is huge as well. Nice player, but he’ll come back down to Earth.

by Andy Seiler on Apr 28, 2009 5:35 PM EDT reply actions

AA

I think in a few months, he’ll be bumped up to AA. His performance in the EL will tell us a whole lot more about his prospect status.

The Dodgers won't win a playoff series until the Cool-a-Coo returns.

by mckeeno on Apr 28, 2009 5:55 PM EDT reply actions

Doubt it

The Giants tend to avoid AA with their hitting prospects, and before you throw Pablo Sandoval in my face, 1. I know, and 2. he’s an exception.

Linda's in the cold ground, won't see her anymore
Somewhere out on the highway tonight, the drunken engines roar
It's just one of those things, one of those things
-- Al Stewart, "Accident on 3rd St."
In memory of Nick Adenhart and all victims of drunk driving

by PaulThomas on Apr 30, 2009 9:48 PM EDT up reply actions

He's in Double-A now

for those that find this thread through Google.

http://firstinning.com/players/Brandon-Crawford-a

by FierceLikePaulPierce on May 15, 2009 6:28 PM EDT up reply actions

I don't recall any who skipped AA

I am pretty sure all of the recent ones had to go through that hellhole, are you talking before 2002?

Adoptive parental unit of Ehire Adrianza.
Godfather of Travis Ishikawa.

"I'm really proud to be on this team." - Nate Schierholtz
"Woo hoo" - Tim "The Kid" Lincecum
"Let's go get them in 2009!" - The Kid
"He got his pitch; he did not miss it" - Cainer
"Kung Fu Panda don't get hurt" - Cainer

by obsessivegiantscompulsive on May 19, 2009 2:44 PM EDT up reply actions

Maybe?

I think this one is a bit of Column A, a bit of Column B. He’s still pretty raw obviously. But at the same time I don’t think it’s right to deny that he’s stepped up his game a notch. He’s flashing the ability to produce in a way he never did in college, and against competition that’s better than what he saw at UCLA.

I wouldn’t push the guy too aggressively, might not even push him up to AA this year even if he continues to beat up on Cal League pitching. He needs time to harness his talent.

As for whether he’ll crack the top 5 . . .seems very unlikely even with a big year. Spots 1-5 will probably be occupied by the four players you mentioned and the guy the Giants select at #6 in the draft.

by mrkupe on Apr 28, 2009 8:03 PM EDT reply actions

Top 5

Giants Top 5 (or even 10) next year should be an exciting one. They will have Bumgarner, Posey, Alderson, Villalona (showing improvement), guy at #6, and Crawford. Not to mention the rest of their talent; Nick Noonan, Conor Gillaspie, Henry Sosa, Ehrie Adrianza, and Scott Barnes.

Adoptive parent of Kyle Nicholson

by gore51 on Apr 28, 2009 9:32 PM EDT up reply actions

You forgot Kyle Nicholson!

Sergio Romo: striking out professional hitters since 2005. And winner of the 2012 NL Fireman of the Year Award!

by Lyle on May 19, 2009 12:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Completely agree.

Adoptive Parent of Francisco Peguero. He can throw, he can run, he can hit(fastballs), and he's Dominican. What else do you need to know?

by haverecords on Apr 29, 2009 2:08 AM EDT up reply actions

i've known brandon since i was in elementary school

and he has always been the kind of guy who thrives when being challenged. he had better seasons his sophomore and junior season than his senior year, when he just cruised and still warranted a first-team all-league selection in a deep league. he played better (more evenly), iirc, his freshman and sophomore years than his junior season at ucla.

however, i would keep him at san jose for the season to keep him away from connecticut, and also to have all the prospects (you all know who they are so i won’t list them) play in the playoffs together, kind of like the rays at montgomery a couple years ago.

definitely rooting for craw, hope he can keep it up.

"If you hit .440 with 20 bombs, you don't have to do s---. You don't have to bring a glove to practice, just hit and leave whenever you want. You can bring a 40 and smoke a cigarette and call me from the parking lot asking me what time the game is, and I'll tell you. You can even say 'F--- you, Steve!' Actually, don't say that, that wouldn't be very nice." -Steve Friend, Head Coach, Chabot College Gladiators Baseball

by flipgatey3 on Apr 29, 2009 3:49 AM EDT reply actions

I’ve seen all of his home games so far, and he has been by far the most impressive player on that San Jose Giants team. His power has been impressive, as his homeruns have been to center, opposite field, and right as well, with and without the wind. His defense has been outstanding. Sure he’s struck out more lately, but the plate discipline looks fine.

I think he’s for real and will get better with some minor refinements. I definitely believe he’ll be in the Giants top 10 prospects.

Awaiting his arrival in SF: Jesse English

by henwo on Apr 29, 2009 12:54 PM EDT reply actions

Nice

I’m planning on going to a game this FRI, SAT, or SUN now that I am back in town, which game would you recommend? I’ve been out of town so I don’t know who’s scheduled to pitch any of these games.

Adoptive parent of Kyle Nicholson

by gore51 on Apr 29, 2009 5:04 PM EDT up reply actions

which would be more impressive folr a prospect

tearing it up in a higher offensive minded league in high A

tearing it up in a lower level but tough hitting league in low A

by Asfan4ever723 on Apr 29, 2009 1:24 PM EDT reply actions

Crawford is really powering the ball. He’s range of pull- and gap-power has surprised me. He’s a solid shortstop, but he may hit enough to play as a legit third base bat. As for being undermatched, he — like a lot of the San Jose roster — is starting his first full pro season in the California League, which means he’s presently ahead of the growth curve.

by StickRat on Apr 29, 2009 3:45 PM EDT reply actions