On Greg Golson

Other Stuff

I’ve gotten a handful of e-mails in the last few days, plus comments in various posts, about Greg Golson, and asking how I felt now that he’s played well, and how I’m probably bummed because I’m “anti-Greg Golson”. I’m not anti any of our prospects. In fact, I probably support all of our prospects more than anyone outside of their respective families and friends, and Golson is no different. When you follow the minor leagues closely and you invest time in learning this stuff, you grow attached to these guys. And much like the girl/guy you chase in high school and can’t ever seem to get, you start protecting yourself from getting hurt. Golson has not lived up to expectations yet, and he has a few very clear flaws in his game. Even so, I never stop hoping he’s going to flip the switch and suddenly put it together. He’s Phillies property, and I’ve spent 4+ years hoping he’d make passing on Phil Hughes look smart. I hope he does. But I’ve tempered my expectations, and I still have my doubts that he can recognize/hit a curveball. Do I want him to? Of course. Will I be extremely excited if he turns into the next Eric Davis? Absolutely. I’m far from anti-Greg Golson. I’ve just toned down my expectations to about as low as they can go. Whatever he becomes, as long as it happens in the major leagues at some point, will be a bonus. He’s had a bright spring, lets hope it carries over.

23 thoughts on “On Greg Golson”

  1. JUST SHUT UP, YOU CLEARLY JUST HATE GOLSON AND THAT’S IT!

    In all seriousness, it’s kind of sad you have to keep repeating this, but as long as somebody’s saying something, there will be another person misinterpreting what they say.

    As far as Golson goes, I commented a few posts back that I’m encouraged about his progress to the point where I now see his floor as that of a backup outfielder (this is to say nothing of his ceiling which, of course, hasn’t really changed). Even if he struggles to hit .230 in the bigs, the fact that he has decent pop, a good glove and good speed means that he’ll at least be a somewhat useful fourth or fifth outfielder. Would you share in that view — regarding his floor as a player, I mean?

    Like

  2. Just reread the Wednesday roundup thread and I know SteveB was joking. Some people don’t though and actually think you’re anti-Golson for whatever reason. Such is life I suppose.

    Like

  3. That Golson has actually talked about drawing more walks, and that he is by all accounts a fairly bright guy, gives me some grounds for hope. I do think this year will tell the tale, one way or another.

    Like

  5. Because he was drafted in 2004, he needs to be placed on the 40 man after this season, which he almost certainly will be. He then has 3 option years. During those 3 seasons, he can be left in the minors the entire time, or shuttled up and down to Philly. After those 3 seasons, he’ll be out of options and need to remain on the 25 man roster or pass through waivers. So the Phillies have plenty of time with him.

    Like

  6. I’m cautiously optimistic about Golson. 4 or 5 ABs doesn’t make or break you. That diving catch he made against the Yankees was spectacular. He’s definitely a prospect and I think we’d all like to see him break-out this year. Burrell’s in the last year of his contract. Nobody else in the organization looks like the heir apparent. If Golson can boost his confidence and have it just click, then the Phillies and the fans would be ecstatic. Cautious but optimistic. Maybe hopeful is the word.

    Like

  8. RT:

    Re: “Is there any precedent for a guy to generally be mediocre throughout his minor league career and then become a legit pro/all-star?”

    Can’t come up with examples off the top of my head, but I recall many instances over the years of seeing that a player is better in majors than minors. Many reason, IMO:

    –The light just goes on with toolsy guys in hitting or pitching delivery.

    –Personal maturity starts getting the most from the physical potential

    –Some players like the far greater precision and accuracy of the major league game. Some hitters like more predictable strikes, even if they are tough strikes. Kind of like a talented basketball player who hates playing in pickup games where people foul because they just can’t control their bodies. A cripser, higher-level game makes some players thrive more.

    –The stability of staying in one city with one team over a few years helps. Some guys have a tough time adusting to new towns.

    –Dollar motivation to stay gets some guys serious for the first time.

    –Probably a lot more reasons.

    Like

  9. Wow – hope this isn’t my fault!! I was trying to be wittingly sarcastic in my comment about the site being “anti-Golson” because, well, so many accuse you of that. I don’t think you are – I think you are what most Phillies fans (like me)struggle with – a realist:-) I’ve never gotten the sense that if Golson does “flip that switch” and turns into a 30/30 guy that folks on this site would be sitting around hoping he blows out a hammy:)

    Hope my bad joke didn’t cause too much trouble!!

    Like

  10. RT: Oh wait. Here’s an obscure instance: Chase Utley. Batted around .257 at Clearwater, as I recall, with many consecutive ofers. Also struggled at AAA. Of course the talent was flowing liberally in between the times he struggled. I think he was mostly struggling to adjust to a full season. Much of his current success is from his conditioning. Which allows him to get the most from his talent all 6 months and not slump too much, as he did at Clearwater. But it’s not an uncommon story.

    Another obscure example: Ryan Howard. Some people saw him as a Dave Kingman all or nothing type as he entered AA. Maybe he would hit .230 with 28 HRs, some people said, and it was a reasonable argument at the time. Then he just exploded.

    Like

  11. Nah, I knew you were being sarcastic, but I have received a number of emails that I took as being serious asking me what I thought now that Golson was playing well, so I figured this would work just fine.

    Like

  12. Cool – thanks.

    P.S. Oh, and by the Phuture – I had to cancel our meeting of IHGG (I Hate Greg Golson) for this Saturday – had to push it to Sunday – can you make it? I’m bringing potato salad…

    Like

  13. Like the Friar, I am starting to see Golson’s likely worst case scenario as a 4th or 5th outfielder who can field and run like hell and can, occasionally, drive a pitch way out of the park. His likely best case scenario is something like Mike Cameron (perhaps with a little more power). The doubts about him are understandable, but he seems to have his head screwed on right, which is a very big plus, but he’s still very much an intrguing mystery.

    Like

  14. I don’t even see Golson as a major leaguer. He’s Reggie Taylor II, only worser. Who is he hitting aganst this spring? What pitchers? Any curves, sliders? He hit his home run off Dan Guise, for crying out loud!!! And the video of it had him lunging over the plate hooking it like it was a ball out of the zone . This is the third year that everyone anticipates him “getting it” or “breaking out.” Cracks me up. Again, his ratios are too poor for the major leagues, no matter what Arbuckle or Wolever or Wojotyka say. They’re too poor for the minor leagues, too. Heck, just the last two days those guys have Chuck Lamar looking like the greatest scout since slice bread was invented. The proof and what they are saying about Chuck are two completely different things. Even Amaro is saying great things about him. Now how would he know anything about this guy? Parrotting?

    Like

  15. I am assuming there are lots of instances of players having mediocre minor league careers and then surpassing expectations in the majors. Torii Hunter is an OK comparison. His minor league career started a year younger, so he looks good on an age comparison to Golson. But if you add one year (Hunter turned 18 in July of his rookie season) the comparisons are much closer:

    http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/H/torii-hunter.shtml

    He is not a perfect comparison as his K rates are much more within reason, but he is an example of a player not really putting it together till he was 24. Number one picks get lots of chances, but their tools do matter and sometimes that put it together after 3 or 4 mediocre minor league seasons.

    Like

  17. Golson is a bright kid with a good head on his shoulders. He is also as physically gifted as anyone you will find. Unfortunately he has had problems pressing to hard and over thinking since he was in high school. Would not be suprised to see him emotionally mature and start putting things together. Could be an average MLB player.

    Like

  18. Rico Brogna
    I remember ready a long time ago that you contracted Anklyosing Spondilitis. I did to in the 60’s that ended my baseball career. However, I had two sons who were ballplayers (of course) who were free from the awful thing. One pitched for Bologna in Italy for four years. The other was drafted by the Phillies out of high school in 2006. He hopes to make a run at the big leagues so I have never let my shortcomings get in the way of my passion for baseball. I am sure you feel the same way. I am heading to Arizona to watch Nick play at the end of the month. Stay strong and last long
    Mr. Morreale

    Like

  19. Golson = average MLB player. I think if he did that, he would still be considered somewhat of a disappointment, given that he was a first rounder. However, if he puts up numbers similar to Shane Victorino (aka a good example of an average MLB player), I’d be okay with that kind of production. If you compare both of their stats last year, they are pretty similar

    – Jeff

    Like

  20. I am not sure I would ever consider someone that works hard, puts in time and has truly dedicated theirselves as a disappoinment. Reality is the Phillies made a huge gamble drafting a project so high. Their fault, not Golson’s.

    Like

  21. True – it’s not his fault that he was drafted where he was. Unfortunately, his #1 pick status comes with expectations. Personally, if he becomes a decent major leaguer, then I’m fine with it. The baseball draft is such a crapshoot anyway.

    – Jeff

    Like

  22. I think the expectations, the fans and Golson’s, were weighing heavy. He seems to be coming to an understanding of both and getting beyond them and concentrating on just playin ball. If he does that, good things could happen.

    Like

  23. I think Dennis Diaz was a great player and he never got a shot because of Greg Golson. The year Dennis was in Lakewood Greg Golson was suppose to have 50 AB and hand over the position, but due to 40 K’s out of 50 AB and hitting 0.95 he stayed nearly the entire season. It’s to bad that these minor leagues are ran purely on money, politics, and not on what it should be ran on, TALENT and who is the better player. Personally that’s why I love college baseball. That is all.
    My 2 cents

    Like

Comments are closed.