My guest on this week’s podcast is Carlos Collazo, who heads up the draft coverage for Baseball America . Carlos drops by to take a look back at the Giants’ 2023 draft class which, spoiler alert, he’s a big fan of! If you prefer reading to listening, Substack now offers an AI-generated transcript of the program which you can find by clicking on the “Transcript” tab above. Carlos’ work is absolutely essential for anybody interested in the draft — as is everything that comes from the Baseball Bibl...
Nov 21, 2023•34 min
My guest this week is The Athletic’s Senior Editor and Writer Melissa Lockard who does such a great job covering the Giants’ and A’s farm systems. Melissa is also a life-long A’s fan, and we talk a bit about what it’s been like to cover the A’s in 2023 before turning to discuss the Giants’ farm. As always, it’s a thrill to get to spend time talking ball with her and hearing her insights into the system. If you prefer reading to listening, Substack now has an AI-generated transcription of the pod...
Nov 16, 2023•37 min
It’s another conversation with Kerry Crowley on this week’s There R Giants ’ podcast as Kerry and I discuss the Bob Melvin hiring and what it means for the Giants going forward. There’s also a little Rule 5 talk before we wrap things up this week. But mostly, it’s a lot of BoMel! Follow Kerry on Twitter @KO_Crowley to see all of his great work on the Giants and other Bay Area sports topics. And, of course, you can read all of my work by becoming a There R Giants’ subscriber . There R Giants is a...
Oct 31, 2023•35 min
My guest on this week’s There R Giants podcast is 2023 San Jose Giants Manager Jeremiah Knackstedt. We talk about a little about Jeremiah’s Indy Ball background and his history with Farm Director Kyle Haines, and then we plunge into talking San Jose Giants’ players — Carson Whisenhunt, Hayden Birdsong, Reggie Crawford, Diego Velasquez, Bryce Eldridge and much more! There R Giants is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscri...
Oct 26, 2023•39 min
This week’s guest is NBC Sports Bay Area’s Alex Pavlovic. The Giants’ Insider explains why he thinks the Giants managerial search will end on an external candidate (and takes a guess at who that candidate might be). Then we talk about how much change could be coming to Giants’ roster management, who the team might be adding in free agency, and who the crucial pieces seem to be going forward. Don’t forget, if you prefer to read rather than listen, Substack now has an AI-generated Transcription fu...
Oct 19, 2023•38 min
It’s time once again for the cross-over/spinoff podcast that is sweeping the nation! Or, at least, sweeping Kerry Crowley’s Soundcloud and my Substack corners of the nation. I’m half thinking, in honor of Kerry’s work in radio, of referring to our conversations as “KROG,” but that idea probably needs a little vetting before it’s ready for its coming out party. Anyway, this week, Kerry and I talk playoff baseball. We talk free-agency — and particularly the Giants’ interests in a couple of free ag...
Oct 12, 2023•38 min
My guest this week is Richmond Manager Dennis Pelfrey, who is coming off three consecutive trips to the post-season for his teams (Eugene and Richmond). Pelf talks about how he sees his role as a minor league manager and how he works to help develop both the players and coaches under his charge. He’s one of the most thoughtful coaches I’ve been around, and I loved getting the opportunity to let him talk, not about players, but about the player development process in general. There R Giants is a ...
Oct 10, 2023•43 min
This week’s There R Giants podcast is another conversation with the wonderful Kerry Crowley. We’re talking about the shocking dismissal of Gabe Kapler and the path forward. Kerry talks about what exactly clubhouse culture is and how it works. We try to sum up Kapler’s four years with the Giants. And we talk about the other changes that we think will be necessary to get the organization where they want to go. There R Giants is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my wo...
Oct 05, 2023•40 min
It’s a two pod week, as I finish uploading my player interviews from Richmond with two more highly entertaining and informative players, 1b Logan Wyatt and RHP Wil Jensen. Both have gone through injuries and pandemic in their long journeys to this point, and both were just finishing up the best seasons of their pro careers when I caught up with them. Hopefully past the health issues that have tripped them up in the past, Wyatt was able to show off his power potential this year while Jensen had o...
Sep 28, 2023•32 min
Once again, I’m teaming up with my friend Kerry Crowley to talk all things Giants. This week, we discuss whether it’s important whether or not the Giants finish .500, tell our origin stories as Giants’ fans, and delve into the all important topic of baseball entertainment. We also talk a little Brandon Crawford as the all time great Giant possibly prepares to say goodbye. There R Giants is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid ...
Sep 25, 2023•38 min
This week’s episode features my conversation with the MVP of the Richmond team, Shane Matheny, talking about the team’s run to the playoffs. I also talk with reliever Sam Delaplane who discusses his baseball journey which has seen plenty of ups and downs as he battles his way back from injury and rehab. Two great conversations with two great guys! Substack now has AI-generated transcriptions of all episodes, so if you’d prefer to read the conversations rather than listen, just click on the “Tran...
Sep 21, 2023•32 min
Today’s pod is something a little new and different. Former Giants’ beat writer and current KNBR personality, Kerry Crowley and I are going to team up for a series of conversations about Giants’ baseball, both major and minor league versions. We’re planning to do these regularly going forward. I’ll still be mixing in my minor league conversations in the podcast as well, and possibly at some point I’ll spin these conversations with Kerry into a whole new brand (you’ll also be able to find them on...
Sep 13, 2023•38 min
This week’s episode of There R Giants’ podcast features a couple of my player interviews at The Diamond in Richmond (and thanks again to Trey Wilson and Blaine McCormick, the terrific communications staff that helps me arrange these conversations). First I spoke with Giants’ reliever Tyler Myrick, a 14th round pick in the 2021 draft out of Florida International who is turning into one of the really good stories from that draft. After that, with the assistance of Richmond Fundamentals Coach Lipso...
Sep 07, 2023•33 min
This week I’m joined by Danny Emerman, the terrific Giants’ beat reporter for KNBR. We talk about Kyle Harrison’s debut — among many debuts — and the complications of trying to compete and develop at the big league level at the same time. You can follow Danny on Twitter @DannyEmerman or read all of his work at KNBR.com . And, of course, you can read all of my Giants’ prospect related work by becoming a There R Giants’ subscriber. There R Giants is a reader-supported publication. To receive new p...
Aug 24, 2023•39 min
This week we have a few recent interviews from The Diamond in Richmond. For the second time this year, I talk with Hayden Birdsong, who reflects on the amazing success he’s had in his first full season. Then I speak with reliever Ben Madison who’s had a slower path to Richmond, with injury and the pandemic halting his progress early in his career. Finally, I talk with Richmond Manager Dennis Pelfrey about a variety of players who have come through this talented roster over the course of the year...
Aug 15, 2023•44 min
It’s my very favorite annual tradition on the There R Giants’ podcast when MLB’s Jim Callis stops by to deliver his vast knowledge on the Giants’ newest draft class. Jim and I talk about the latest haul from the sluggers at the top to the sleepers down below and parse out some of the Giants’ strategies for finding talent. You can follow all of Jim on twitter @jimcallisMLB or just read his work, including his upcoming re-ranking of the Giants Top 30, at MLBPipeline.com . And, of course, you can g...
Jul 20, 2023•38 min
My guest on this week’s pod is Marc Delucchi who covers the SF Giants and their farm system for Giants Baseball Insider , a Fan Nation site. Marc and I talk about the Giants’ recent draft haul and then dive into the stories of the first half of the season on the farm. We get into how wrong we were about Patrick Bailey, the joy of watching Luis Matos, and many of the pleasant surprises of the first half of the season. Draft Talk (2:30)First Half Storylines (8:30)Major Surprise Players of First Ha...
Jul 13, 2023•1 hr 9 min
It’s time to start thinking about the upcoming draft (July 9 for rounds 1 and 2) and I can’t think about anyone better to help me get ready than my old friend Brian Recca, who does such a great job helping out with the draft coverage for Prospects Live . Brian and I talk about the Giants’ recent draft classes, Brian’s shadow Giants draft, and, of course, who they might take with the 16th pick of this year’s draft. Check out Brian’s latest “ College Fringe Five ” and definitely give the PL Mock D...
Jun 28, 2023•40 min
On this week’s podcast, Giants’ infield prospect Jimmy Glowenke talks about how cool it is to hit a championship winning home run and also the importance of failure as a tool of development. And left-handed pitcher Juan Sanchez talks about growing up on the game in Venezuela, and what it was like being stuck in a motel for months on end in 2020. Jimmy Glowenke: (1:50)Juan Sanchez (17:20) Intro/Outro: “My Shot” by Original Broadway Cast of Hamilton This is a public episode. If you'd like to discu...
Jun 22, 2023•35 min
This is going to be a fun one! My guests this week are Giants’ LHP prospect Carson Whisenhunt and Richmond Hitting Coach Cory Elasik. I caught up with Whisenhunt the morning after his Double A debut with Richmond to talk about rapid promotions and the history and evolution of his plus plus changeup. Cory Elasik was the hitting coach for Eugene in 2022, before moving to Richmond for 2023, which gives him a great perspective to talk about the developments that have led players like Patrick Bailey,...
Jun 14, 2023•45 min
It’s been a flurry of podcasts lately, I know! But when you have interviews this good in the can, you just can’t wait to space them out! So enjoy my conversations today with OF prospect Vaun Brown and RHP Carson Seymour. Why did Vaun return to “The Ninja?” What is Carson Seymour’s connection to Ted Lasso? All will be revealed! Vaun Brown (1:50)Carson Seymour (15:40) Intro/Outro: “We Looked Like Giants” by Death Cab for Cutie This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subs...
Jun 06, 2023•35 min
My guest in the latest There R Giants podcast is the voice of the San Jose Giants — as well as one of the voices of the San Francisco Giants — Joe Ritzo. Joe and I talk about what’s been an extraordinarily fun team in San Jose this year, including his thoughts on Carson Whisenhunt, Reggie Crawford, Carter Howell, Gerelmi Maldonado and many many more! You can follow Joe and his observations of the San Jose club on twitter at JoeRitzo, and of course you can follow me on twitter at rog61, or on Sub...
Jun 05, 2023•38 min
My guest this week is Richmond Flying Squirrels’ staff Nutritionist, Rachel Rodriguez . I’m SO excited to have finally gotten to sit down and talk with Rachel — this is one I’ve wanted to do for awhile now. Rachel talks about her professional journey, the unique challenges of trying to keep professional athletes fueled up, the role that food can play in bringing a clubhouse together, and the growing gender equity that is starting to take place in hiring in the baseball industry. It’s a great con...
Jun 02, 2023•24 min
On this week’s edition of the podcast, it’s more interviews from The Diamond in Richmond (which means a little more noise in the dugout, BP music on the loud speakers, Will Clark hooting and hollering, etc), but the end result is well worth it. First up, Richmond Pitching Coach Paul Oseguera talks about the performance of his staff, as well as the development elements that the Giants are looking for from their pitching prospects. We also talk a little about how technology has changed the way coa...
May 24, 2023•36 min
My guest this week is Josh Norris of Baseball America . Josh has covered the Giants’ system for BA for several years, doing the rankings and writeups for the system in the Prospect Handbook. He also made a recent visit to see Eugene take on Spokane, so we spend plenty of time talking about progress made (or not) this spring in Eugene, some of the complications involved with sharing a facility with a college, and early season risers and fallers on the Giants’ farm. The use of the word “vanilla” i...
May 16, 2023•36 min
Richmond reliever Evan Gates is my guest this week — and like most of the players in this system, he’s a terrific interview: thoughtful, funny, and engaging. Evan talks about learning the game in a cold weather area, his long journey to becoming a professional and some of the reasons behind the tremendous success he’s enjoyed in his career. We also talk about his memorable appearance with Team WBC this spring in their warm up to taking part in the World Baseball Classic. This is fun one! Intro/O...
May 11, 2023•19 min
My guest this week is fellow Substack writer (and my former colleague back in the McCovey Chronicles days), Doug Bruzzone, who writes the wonderful “It Would Be Nice If the Giants Weren’t Bad” substack newsletter (which, as I note in the show, is a factually correct statement!). Doug and I talk mostly Sacramento River Cats action this week, focusing on the improved group of home-grown prospects that are finally making it up to the top level of the farm system. We talk Heliot Ramos’ improvements,...
May 02, 2023•36 min
I’m joined this week by a couple members of the Richmond Flying Squirrels: RHP Mason Black, the Giants 3rd round pick in 2021 out of Lehigh University, and infielder Hayden Cantrelle, whom the Giants acquired from Miami last year. Mason and I talk modern training methods, arm care regime, the mental side of the game, searching for the perfect breaking pitch and much more. Hayden tells me what it felt like going through three different organizations in little more than a month’s time and how he m...
Apr 26, 2023•33 min
On this week’s episode of There R Giants podcast, I have two short interviews I did with Giants’ prospects Patrick Bailey and Ismael Munguia. I spoke to both at media day just before the new season began (with a little BP noise going on in the background). Bailey begins what is sure to be an important season for him as he climbs to the upper minors for the first time, and hopes to show a better all around offensive game to go with his Gold Glove-winning defense. Munguia, with the help of coach L...
Apr 11, 2023•21 min
I’m joined this week by my friend Wrenzie Regodon, Giants prospect writer for Giant Baseball Insider , a FanNation site. Wrenzie and I go through the opening day rosters for all four affiliate, talking surprises, guys we’re excited to see, under the radar dudes we have our eyes on and much more for each level. It’s a super stuffed edition of the pod to get you ready for the season. Surprises (who was pushed higher than expected, who was kept back) (2:30)Who were you most bummed to see start in X...
Apr 06, 2023•59 min
