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merkin
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Re: Meet your new Giant..... Brian Wilson
Strengths: 89-94 MPH fastball and two types of sliders (78-81 and 85-86 MPH). Throwing strikes. Setting-up pitches. Aggressiveness
Weaknesses: Repeating arm speed on 81-84 MPH change-up. Rotation of curveball
Comments: Arm strength and confidence returned after ligament transplant surgery on his elbow in 2003. Threw strikes consistently, knows how to pitch, and gets strikeout with both fastball and slider. Will need to develop change-up or curveball, and work corners of plate more often.
MLB Debut: 2007
Potential: Setup reliever/closer
--- "...the best evaluation of players is subjective judgment...The real baseball world is inevitably going to be hundreds of times more complicated than the model that we construct...." -Bill James
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4/23/2006, 12:23 pm
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merkin
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Re: Meet your new Giant..... Brian Wilson
Brian Wilson is a relief pitching prospect in the San Francisco Giants organization. The 2003 23rd-round pick out of LSU played at three levels in 2005, beginning in Low-A with Augusta and finishing in Triple-A with Fresno. For the year, the 23-year-old had a 1.35 ERA and 21 saves with 68 strikeouts in 60 total innings.
--- "...the best evaluation of players is subjective judgment...The real baseball world is inevitably going to be hundreds of times more complicated than the model that we construct...." -Bill James
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4/23/2006, 12:28 pm
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merkin
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Arizona Fall League JOURNAL..... Brian Wilson 09/28
Hello, this is Brian Wilson here currently in Arizona awaiting the Fall League. Fortunately, I had a season that was worthy of an invitation to represent the Giants in the AFL. Besides being 108 degrees every day until midnight when it drops to 98, I would say things are great. It is a wonderful baseball atmosphere to be playing in and I'm looking forward to getting another season under way.
For those of you who do not know me, I was the pitcher on the unforgettable Hagerstown team in 2004 that was one of the worst teams in baseball. I would have to say that I contributed well to the many losses we came across. After being selected in the 24th round out of Louisiana State University in 2003, I felt unhittable. What I faced when I went to Hagerstown in the Low A South Atlantic League was that I was hittable.
In fact, I think people wanted to face me so they could raise their stats a few more points. It was inevitable that if I came into a game, I'd get hit and give up runs. Instead of getting holds or stops for the game, I was witness to a lot of third-base coach windmill arm movements. Things like that were kind of comical for about three minutes until the realization of being a terrible pitcher set in. Then, pitching was not so funny anymore.
When the season ended, I told myself that embarrassments like the previous season would never happen again. I started eating quality foods instead of the usual road game diet that consisted of Taco Bell or the closest fast-food chain around. Most of the time, that fast-food restaraunt would be closing at 10 p.m. and our games were over around 9:30. So, it was a race just to get dinner in. Half the time you never tasted the food because you inhaled it and an hour later you figured out why you were getting out of shape.
On top of cutting the ever-so-tasty fried slop out, I began to work out harder. Granted, it cost more money than I anticipated. Getting a membership, clothes and a trainer ended up being all I could afford in the offseason.
For the next six months of strict offseason training, I could feel myself improving in health and baseball. I went to Spring Training completely confident of my ability to compete. Unfortunately, I did have a horrible season from the previous year weighing me down a little. I knew I would probably repeat the same league and it did not bother me when I was told that I was. Let's be honest, 3-5 with a 5.34 ERA is not a typical means for promotion. So I sucked my pride back in and packed for Augusta, Ga.
Now I'm on the mound in Charleston, S.C., playing the Riverdogs in the bottom of the eighth when a little memory popped in my head. "Do not have another embarrassing season," I'm saying to myself as my pitch was then shattered to center field, scoring three runs and ultimately losing the game. Wow, that was fun. I put that moment on the back burner and tried to pitch without fear from then on.
Needless to say, I did not give up an earned run for the rest of that month. Apparently, my offseason training was kicking in because my mechanics were fluent and my velocity was climbing each outing. Three-and-a-half months later of putting up numbers consistently I was promoted to Double-A Norwich.
After about a month of pitching in Norwich, I was then promoted to Triple-A Fresno in the middle of August. Talk about being shocked: I couldn't believe that I was even playing in Double-A, let alone being called up another level. Playing there was a little bumpier than I would have liked, posting a high-three ERA and going 1-1. All in all, it was a great tool to be learning from some of the organization's veterans of the game. Just watching the way teammates were pitching to hitters and the mindset they would carry out on to the field was something I wanted to learn.
Even though I was only in Fresno for about two-and-a-half weeks, I feel I learned a great deal about myself pitching-wise. Before I would throw mostly fastballs and sliders and, in Triple-A, I learned that you cannot get away with that all the time. There is more pitching involved than throwing and I could only imagine what it is like another level further than that.
Coming into the Fall League I feel pretty confident and at ease with my abilities. The learning process this year has taught me to stay true with myself and fear not. So I will carry my knowledge to Mesa, Arizona, and see how far it will take me. I'm going to try to work on my location and develop a third pitch. I do not know what that third pitch is at the moment, but I'll let you know when it gets hit around a bit.
Last edited by merkin, 4/23/2006, 12:44 pm
--- "...the best evaluation of players is subjective judgment...The real baseball world is inevitably going to be hundreds of times more complicated than the model that we construct...." -Bill James
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4/23/2006, 12:41 pm
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merkin
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Re: Arizona Fall League JOURNAL..... Brian Wilson 10/05
When it comes down to it, this league is made up of each organization's best players. So, naturally each game will be a blood-hungry battle. Whether each team's thirst for that victory is the same, we shall find out.
Workouts have come to an end and, for the most part, the Mesa Solar Sox look just like the other remaining teams. We are comprised of All-Stars, top rounders, organizational bests and non Taco Bell eaters (that is, until night games begin). To say one team is stacked is unrealistic at this particular time. The only way to determine this is to play one another, and we started doing that on Tuesday.
One factor to include in these games is that each organization has their players either working on unfamiliar things or polishing skills. Some players might struggle because they are working on the unfamiliar part. These things may include a new pitch, stance, position or getting more innings. Others will continue to overpower the competition because they are just here to polish their skills and move on to the next level in the upcoming year or years.
As for myself, I have been dipping into my bag of tricks. The bag happens to be empty at the moment, but I have decided to work on a changeup. This changeup can mean one of two things and hopefully not both. One, it is a good pitch that fools players, or two, it could turn the game into a neck-bracing merry-go-round where the other team is having fun and you are not. I opt for No. 1 myself. That being said, let's move on to some of your email questions.
Brian's Mailbag / Send Brian an email
What would you say are the most important lessons you learned from Ross Grimsley and Bob Stanley, and what is the major difference between hitters in low A and Triple-A? -- Jeffrey, New Jersey
Both of these men are two exceptionally well-known pitching coaches. I would sum it up by saying they both wanted me to trust my stuff and not worry about getting hit or doing too much. Also, I learned when and why to throw a certain pitch at a particular time. The major difference in the levels is the discipline around the plate. As you progress from level to level, you notice that most everyone has power. The difference between that power is the ability to recognize a pitch. I noticed that the higher I went up, more often than not, hitters would take anything that had spin to it. Basically, they would take my slider and wait for the fastball. In given situations, this would hurt me if the taken slider was not called a strike.
Do you throw both a two-seam and a four-seam fastball now? -- John D.
I do throw both, and it depends on the situation or the feel for either pitch that day.
Do you prefer to start or come in from the bullpen? -- Larry
After this year's success, I feel I am more valuable as a reliever. And let's face it, my career record as a starter is 0-3 ... not too much potential there, must have been the chalupas.
Why did you not use more pitches at lower levels? -- Steve
Well, when things are working there is no sense in trying to fix it or break it. I've been around baseball awhile and when your stuff is working, you just go with it. There are a thousand variables to consider. Success rate is the No. 1 reason why people pitch what they pitch. Most of the pitchers in the Minor Leagues want to make it to the Majors fast, no matter how it happens. More often then not, pitchers are less apt to learn new pitches and risk jeopardizing their path to the Grande Ligas (Major Leagues for you non-Spanish readers).
Do you listen to or like the music of Brian Wilson? -- Bill
Who in their right minds are not fans of the Beach Boys? Does the utopian world they created in their music sound displeasing? I'll answer that with a NO!!!
In the AFL, you have pitchers from different organizations -- Do you learn from them as much as you did in Norwich and Fresno? -- Jerry, Raisin City
Every pitcher is another tool for learning no matter what skill they possess. The name of the game is getting people out. The game is a constant and never-ending book of knowledge, always being critiqued and never ceasing to amaze.
I was wondering if you have any guess at all as to which level you'll be assigned next year? -- Lyle
Anything goes at anytime in this sport. Reasons for why things happen are changing every minute. I honestly could not say where I will be next year, but I will tell you that I am going to pitch no matter what.
It seems that it is hard for pitchers to develop effective changeups, but pitchers with good ones are dramatically improved. Why is that? -- Raymond, Oakland
Pitchers with good changeups will always baffle hitters because it looks like a fastball. When a pitcher is able to create that effect, a hitter has limited success. It is hard to develop a good one because pitchers try and do too much with it instead of trusting that it will do what it needs to do by itself. I was always told that if I were to throw a changeup, I would need to grip a changeup and throw a fastball.
How do you get prepared for each game as a reliever, not knowing if you might get to pitch? -- Michael
I put on my uniform, stretch and then sit down until my name is called upon to go in. When the season gets underway, you develop a role amongst the pitching staff and you usually have an idea which days you will pitch. Even with that mindset, it is still difficult to really know when you are pitching. It is just one of those perks that come with the job, if you want to see it as a perk.
When did you realize you like being a closer, and what kind of traits do you need? -- Sheila, San Francisco
The adrenaline rush of being on the mound with the game on the line is sort of addicting. But a pitcher also needs to be able to overcome losses and failures and bounce back quickly. Fear is not an option. Lastly, you have to be intimidating in some way.
Thank you for your concern, and if I did not answer all your questions, I'll do my best to cover them next week.
Last edited by merkin, 4/23/2006, 12:51 pm
--- "...the best evaluation of players is subjective judgment...The real baseball world is inevitably going to be hundreds of times more complicated than the model that we construct...." -Bill James
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4/23/2006, 12:42 pm
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merkin
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Re: Arizona Fall League JOURNAL..... Brian Wilson 10/12
We meet again ... except this time games have been going on. The Mesa Solar Sox are off to a less-than-par start, but there is still a lot of season and potential left.
There is a winning agenda in mind with the managers. As for the players, we have to adjust a little more before we really turn things on. We might make a solid comeback or lose out. In baseball, everything and anything is possible. I know the attitude is great, and no one is really just going through the motions.
The Sox have a great club with some great prospects, and we might have not put the numbers up yet, but we are waiting to come alive.
My performance over my last two games has been fairly decent. The first outing was exactly how I didn't plan. I was unfocused and a little rusty after a month off. Fortunately, I bounced back and battled with three quality innings.
There was a healthy amount of questions this week, and I will do my best to answer them with as much knowledge and articulateness as possible.
Brian's Mailbag / Send Brian an e-mail >
How much time do you spend on bunting, hitting and fielding your position? -- Clay, San Mateo, Calif.
Pitchers spend a great deal of time on fielding their position. We call it PFPs, which is translated into Pitchers Fielding Practice. Every pitcher can relate to PFPs, and the general consensus is nothing short of dread. Pitchers never like spending a half an hour on covering first base, fielding bunts and comebackers. Unfortunately, it is one part of the game that really needs development. The reason why pitchers dread PFPs is because it is monotonous and aggravating to stand in line behind the mound and wait your turn. In a given situation, it is nice to know you have knowledge and practice for what could be a potentially humungous out in the game.
Could you tell us fans in San Francisco how the whole process was from injury to signing with the Giants and whether you have become a different pitcher because of it? -- Danny
Well, I hurt my arm in April of 2003 at Alabama in conference play. I felt a burn in my elbow in the second inning and decided to pitch until the eighth, figuring it was my last outing that year with a healthy arm. I decided to go with Dr. Andrews, a well-renowned surgeon based in Birmingham, Ala. It was standard that I ask the state that hurt me to mend me.
The Giants decided to draft me in the 24th round later that June. Being the recipient of a red shirt and having the ability to be a junior over again, I opted to mull over the situation. At the summer's end, I decided to sign with the Giants and head to rehabilitation in September at the Scottsdale, Ariz., facility.
I began my career slowly as a starter with constant arm pain. With time, I was able to regain strength and pitch pain free. Unfortunately, my pitching ability was not ready to handle a full season. My focus and drive to succeed in baseball changed and I turned my career around before this past season. I kept my arm healthy and learned how to pitch again, except this time as a reliever. My future as a certain type of pitcher is up in the air, but the Giants are fully aware of my capabilities and we will have to wait and see what my role will be next year.
When you are on the mound, what goes through your head? Do you hear any of the crowd, or do you just slip into the zone? -- Amanda
The only specific thought that enters my mind on the mound is focus and the ability to get the opposition out. I never try and mess with the crowd because that will just amp you up in the wrong way. Playing ball for so long, you just block any unwanted noise out and try to maintain composure and the agenda of getting the hitter out. Sometimes I tell myself I need to get this game over with so I don't have to rush out of the clubhouse scrounging for food at the local "GET FAT QUICK" drive-thru. I can actually recall a time where I was pondering whether I had even eaten that day and maybe I was dizzy and faint for a reason. Needless to say, food is always on my mind, so on the mound I think about getting hitters out and eating.
As I recall, your curveball was rated the organization's best coming out of the 2003 draft. Why not consider throwing that pitch instead of the changeup? Even better, why not both? -- Mark, NH
Excellent question. I am dumbfounded. With respect to that question, earlier in the week I decided to implement the curveball and the changeup in my last performance. It just goes to show you that my fans control the way I pitch. All kidding aside, I thought it was a marvelous idea and decided to test out the pitches and with much surprise they both held their own. So, maybe instead of developing a third pitch, I am really going to try four. Thank you for waking me up a little.
Stretching out to three, working on a changeup, you thinking about rejoining the gainful-employed starting pitching ranks?
I personally like relieving much more than starting. I'm stretching out the innings to get a feel for my command and pitching repertoire. But if being a starter is like being at the beach and soaking the sun, then I'll be happy to relocate into the rotation. Also, if that is my only opportunity to have a full-time job in the Major Leagues, then I'll sign at the dotted line.
One last question for today, and it is a real serious matter that I would be happy to elaborate on. Sports fans and audience members are sometimes left in the dark as to what an athlete really goes through in his/her lifetime in sports. Although the question is directed towards a different meaning, I would like to enlighten many that have asked about the alternate meaning:
Is it difficult to go from game to game trusting your ability to get hitters out? -- JWC, Syracuse, N.Y.
That answer has many variables, and it all depends on how the pitcher wants to ride the rollercoaster. Many times a pitcher will go from game to game with no fear or no recognition of failure. It is often called riding with your stuff and not trying to fix anything. Unfortunately, success rates in baseball are not in an athlete's favor. For example, a hitter will make out seven times out of 10 and become a Hall of Famer one day if he consistently does that.
With this in consideration, a hitter will know that he will fail seven times and each out is a continuing blow to their ego and self-esteem. Even though there is prior knowledge of failure it is still heartbreaking to go through it. If a hitter is having a bad year he is likely to fail somewhere between 360 to 380 times out of 500 at-bats. You also have to consider the amount of errors they might make during the course of a season.
In relation to trusting your stuff, many times the heartache of failure continues into the offseason, sometimes developing into a serious problem. Regarding a pitcher, you might see someone get pulled from a game before he can succeed and not get called upon to do his job for another week or two. If that pitcher has a string of bad luck, then an entire month has gone by with no success and nothing but failures.
So the next time you see a ballgame and a hitter or pitcher is struggling, you might want to consider it may go deeper than just that game. Maybe it would be considerate to understand what a ballplayer goes through during his season before ridiculing him in the open.
Last edited by merkin, 4/23/2006, 12:52 pm
--- "...the best evaluation of players is subjective judgment...The real baseball world is inevitably going to be hundreds of times more complicated than the model that we construct...." -Bill James
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4/23/2006, 12:44 pm
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merkin
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Re: Arizona Fall League JOURNAL..... Brian Wilson 10/18
The Solar Sox have had a productive week thus far. We won three games in a row with a combined effort of timely hitting and pitching.
Then our game was cut short on Monday (Oct. 17) because of rain. Of course, the rain stopped the minute the game was called after the sixth inning. I'd have thought that would never happen again since I've seen rain once in three months. But we were rained out again on Tuesday.
I have seen some great ballplayers here in Arizona. Most of these players will be on 40-man rosters next year, if not the Major League 25-man roster.
The Solar Sox have a lot of catching up to do if we want to make it to playoffs. Although this league is basically a showcase, some of the players do have a drive to win something while here in Arizona. As for myself, I live here, so I would not mind playing in a championship game.
I feel that playing in this league is great experience for the future to come. Playing against the Minor League's best is a great learning tool on how to develop mentally as a pitcher. Most of the players are here to work on the physical aspect of the game, but at the same time they are readjusting their mental capacity. The mental part is something you either have or you do not. It lives deep beneath the surface, and some people can reach it more easily than others. I have seen a lot of good, talented ballplayers waste their talents because they were not able to fathom the pressure or reality of the game.
Brian's Mailbag / Send Brian an email >
In a situation like the Arizona Fall League, do you make any special effort to get to know your fellow Giants prospects (assuming you haven't played with them before)? Or is the future so uncertain and the time so short that you try to refrain from making friends with someone with whom you may never play again? -- Lyle
It is basically impossible to ignore or not befriend a teammate of the same organization or others. In baseball, burning bridges is never a good idea because eventually you will run into these people you have burned one time or another. Everybody has their own opinions and/or rituals about befriending people they may never play with again. My philosophy is to try and be kind towards all the players so that one day down the road they might remember me and do the same thing.
Are there times when you are warming up and you can just tell that all your pitches are working and are there times when nothing seems to be working? In the second instance, what do you do? -- Andre
Of course, I have times when I am warming up and my pitches are looking pretty nasty ... and there are times where I picture my pitches being shattered around the yard and everybody on the other team having a high-five fest on my behalf. In that situation, you just need to go into the clubhouse and take your uniform off and then sprint home without being seen. Maybe call a friend and lay low for awhile until things look safe again. All kidding aside, I usually take deep breaths and try to remain calm. I try not to focus on the entire game resting on my shoulders and having my pitches not be there. It is part of the game and being perfect is not, so you have to roll with the punches.
What has been the funniest thing that you've seen happen down in the Minor Leagues? -- Joe
I would say charting an instructional league game two years ago and watching the pitcher hit a bird in mid-air with the ball. The bird flew back behind the batter and hit the fence where it fell to its death. The funny part about that is witnessing some of my teammates eating that same bird for dinner later that night ... or was it me? We will not pay attention to the particulars.
There are a lot of statistics surrounding pitchers: wins, losses, ERA, strikeouts and walk totals. Which of these do you feel gauges your pitching ability the best? Do you actively care about your statistics or just making your individual pitches? -- David
There are so many variables in statistics with pitching. Strikeouts are one of the only stats that are positive towards the pitcher's sole purpose. It is one of the only stats that shows how a pitcher does on his own. Unfortunately, you could lead the league in strikeouts and home runs. I think wins are probably the most important stat because it shows that whenever a pitcher throws, he is bound to win. Like all the stats, there can be weird circumstances involving the reasons why a pitcher's stats are the way they are. I do care about my stats to a certain extent. I care about whatever stat pertains to the situation I am involved in. If I am closing, then I want to make sure my blown saves are non-existent. Also, if I am pitching in a tied ballgame, I want to make sure my losses are non-existent as well. As for the rest of the statistical realm, I honestly want to make sure each pitch I throw has a purpose and is positive for the team.
What is your take on lifting during the season and offseason? Is it healthy for a pitcher or is it just for a hitter? Is there such thing as too much lifting? -- Dwayne M.
Well, to each his own. Everyone is built differently, and I guess they will have to find out on their own if lifting too much is detrimental. I enjoy lifting all the time because it is my alone time to get the negative energy out of my system. I feel that lifting heavy is only to be used for legs, as far as pitchers are concerned. I have lifted extremely hard before, and now I lift light weights and do a lot of cardio. I have seen no difference in my pitching, but I have seen a difference in my energy levels. When I lift light and do cardio, my body responds well and distributes enough energy for everyday activities like baseball. Again, each individual has to learn their bodies' abilities and limits and until then, there is no saying how it affects a pitcher.
--- "...the best evaluation of players is subjective judgment...The real baseball world is inevitably going to be hundreds of times more complicated than the model that we construct...." -Bill James
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4/23/2006, 12:46 pm
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The Jacq
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Registered: 03-2006
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Re: Meet your new Giant..... Brian Wilson
OK Merkin... Quit stalking the poor guy.
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4/23/2006, 2:02 pm
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merkin
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Re: Meet your new Giant..... Brian Wilson
Hey
Just because im the president of the Brian Wilson fan club.... doesnt mean im a stalker....
--- "...the best evaluation of players is subjective judgment...The real baseball world is inevitably going to be hundreds of times more complicated than the model that we construct...." -Bill James
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4/23/2006, 2:17 pm
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Monkey51
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Re: Meet your new Giant..... Brian Wilson
quote: merkin wrote:
Hey
Just because im the president of the Brian Wilson fan club.... doesnt mean im a stalker....
yes it does...the jacq is correct!
--- Hamels started toward the dugout after what he thought was a strike. Lincecum didn't get the call & buzzed ump Dana DeMuth w. a fastball that slammed off the backstop & then froze Hamels w. another 3rd strike. 4/28/10 Timmy the ump killer.
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4/23/2006, 2:56 pm
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