Something interesting I noticed....TI-10's first 2 years mirror Tino's... Tino Martinez: http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/martiti02.shtml#1990-1991-sum:batting_standard Travis Ishikawa: http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/i/ishiktr01.shtml#2006-2008-sum:batting_standard Travis is on pace to have a better third year than Tino, at this current pace, this is what Travis is on track to do: .258 AVG 15 Home Runs 71 RBIs .739 OPS (keep in mind, Bochy had Aurillia cut into Ishi's playing time) vs Tino's third season at: .257 AVG 16 Home Runs 66 RBIs .727 OPS Why I think TI-10's gonna be >>> Tino: >Ishikawa is a Gold Glove Caliber 1st Baseman...Tino was okay >Ishikawa is still developing his swing, eventually I see him puttin up 30 Home Runs a year...keep in mind that Tino's home run numbers got inflated after the '96 season thanks to 'roids >Ishikawa has the potential to hit in the .280's for a career (Tino has a career .270 AVG) >He's got a future Super Star teammate in Pablo Sandoval, and a Top Tier Pitcher in Lincecum which leads to the giants being a future power house...if the Giants reach their full potential (especially offensively) I wouldn't be surprised if they mirrored the Yankees of the Late '90s Keep an eye on this kid...I know he's gonna be a Gold Glove winner/All-Star in the future...this is his first full season and he's finally getting the into the groove of things lately...
He is improving slowly but surely. Getting more power lately and just looking a little more comfortable. His great defense makes it easier for me to be patient with his offense. At this point I'm starting to lean toward the "don't make a trade" camp because whoever we get probably won't be much of an upgrade over Ishikawa offensively (assuming he keeps getting better) and Ishikawa's defense is great. We're not getting a legit cleanup hitter since we don't want to trade anything valuable. Might as well just stick with TI because he could end up being as good or better than a lot of the names being floated out there in rumors. Sandoval and Schierholtz have also made me a little more patient with Ishikawa.
Hell yeah, Schierholtz seems legit so far....and who woulda thought that Sadowski would look like Greg Maddux 2.0 out there? lol This year the Giants are gonna be special, and for many years to come if their potential pans out....they're gonna be SCARY.
If Ishikawa starts the rest of the season and continues on his current pace he will win the Gold Glove this year. His Ultimate Zone Rating at 1B is #1 in the entire MLB at 7.1 with a min of 400 innings at 7.1 UZR. Konerko is 2nd at 4.6 and the 1st NL 1B comes in at 3.8 UZR by Derek Lee.
Yeah, his 'D' at first is top notch...hopefully Frisco doesnt end up trading him...offensively he's starting to pick things up, as of July 9th he's hitting at a more respectable .273 clip and is on pace to hit 16 home runs and knock in 66 RBI's, some people are quick to point out that bowker hit 10 during his rookie season, but Travis hasn't had as many at bats this season compared to bowker at last season, I think Travis is doing pretty solid for a first full season player, I'll definitely be following tonights game.
I'm comfortable enough with him that I really don't want to trade for Johnson or some other mediocre first baseman, but I don't see 30 HRs in his future anytime soon. I just hope he can keep 1B from becoming a liability in the lineup until Villalona takes his place.
If the Giants traded for Nick Johnson, the Giants would go from the best defensive 1B to the worst defensive 1B in the MLB. His UZR is -4.6 compared to -4.3 to Prince Fielder and Travis with a UZR of 8.6
