Manny Burriss: Burriss could be done for the year with a strained oblique. Considering that he had just 14 games above Single-A ball before coming to the Giants, Burriss did a good job, 1/18.283 with 13 steals in 240 AB. Burriss has no power, but has the perfect skill set for someone with his outstanding speed, 65% GB% and a 90% Ct%. He should be the Giants starting shortstop next year.
Tim Lincecum: Lincecum continues to make a case for being the best pitcher in baseball, 16-3 with a 2.54 ERA. His skill set; 10.2 K/9, 3.3 BB/9, and a 44% GB%, is already among the elite of starting pitchers and at the age of 24, he could actually get better.
Luis Cruz: With Jack Wilson done for the year, Cruz will share time with Brian Bixler at shortstop. Splitting time between Double-A and Triple-A this year, Cruz showed an ability to make contact, Double-A/Triple-A Ct%’s of 90%/88%, but also a complete lack of plate patience, 5%/2%. If minor leagues pitchers can get him to chase pitches, it would figure to get worse with big league pitchers. Even if he continues to make good contact, which is no guarantee, he probably will not be hitting the ball too hard. Considering that he doesn’t offer power or speed, he should not be used in any format.
Brian Bixler: With Jack Wilson done for the year, Bixler will split time with Luis Cruz at shortstop. Bixler has not hit at all for the Pirates this year, 0/2/.161 in 103 AB. He does have speed, 23 steals in 30 attempts in Triple-A this year, but his approach at the plate is terrible, 8% BB% and a 67% Ct% in Triple-A and a 4% BB% and a 69% Ct% with the Pirates. Players with such little power, 62% GB% and 3 extra-base hits in 103 PA, simply cannot survive making such poor contact. He is not someone that you want to roster down the stretch if you are contending.
Luis Ayala: Ayala will be the favorite for saves now that Billy Wagner is done for the year. If you picked him up, consider yourself lucky that he has converted 5 of 6 save opportunities because his skill set; 5.7 K/9, 3.1 BB/9, and a 44% GB%, strongly hints that there could be rough times in the very near future.
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