McCovey Chronicles
Where we tend to talk about the recent past a lot
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Free agent hitters who might fit the Giants’ new hitting profile
The article evaluates which free‑agent hitters could fit the San Francisco Giants’ new contact‑focused hitting philosophy. After noting the Athletic’s top‑40 free‑agent list, the author filters candidates by a .256 batting‑average threshold, emphasizing upgrades at second base, left field and catcher. Randy Arozarena (LF, .281/.381/.484 in 2026) tops the list despite poor defense, while other prospects like Jung Hoo Lee, Jonah Cox, and Harrison Bader are mentioned. The piece argues the Giants should prioritize contact over walks and avoid costly, age‑related contracts.
2027 Willie McCovey Memorial Community Prospect List No. 1
The McCovey Chronicles launches its annual Willie McCovey Memorial Community Prospect List, inviting fans to vote for the San Francisco Giants' top 44 prospects. With Bryce Eldridge now a free agent, the race for No. 1 narrows to seven candidates, including 21‑year‑old left‑hander Jacob Bresnahan (2.92 ERA/4.32 FIP in High‑A) and 24‑year‑old outfielder Bo Davidson ( .861 OPS/122 wRC+ in AA, .923 OPS/138 wRC+ in AAA). Voting occurs in the comments, where readers can recommend and debate each nominee. All stats reflect the 2026 season.
Wed/Thurs BP: World Series Game 5
Game 5 of the 2026 World Series pits the Milwaukee Brewers, up 3-1, against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on Wednesday, Oct. 27. The matchup kicks off at 5:00 p.m. PT on Fox/Fox One with ESPN Radio coverage. Brewers left-hander Jacob Misiorowski, who posted a 1.80 ERA and 252 strikeouts in the regular season, will start, while the Rays have yet to name their pitcher. The winner moves within one win of clinching the title, keeping the series alive for a potential Game 6.
The most important stories of 2026: #4 — Bryce Eldridge is a hit
Bryce Eldridge burst onto the Giants’ roster in 2026, delivering a 21‑year‑old season that matched or exceeded his top‑percentile projections. Over 443 plate appearances he posted a .269/.364/.461 slash line, 17 homers, 57 RBI and an impressive 131 wRC+, placing him alongside early‑career feats of Mike Trout, Bryce Harper and Juan Soto. Eldridge’s month‑by‑month OPS rose from .777 in May to .948 in September, earning him the 20th‑most valuable rookie by fWAR despite a season‑ending injury. The article highlights his potential as a left‑handed power hitter who could become the Giants’ next marquee bat, echoing the club’s long‑awaited breakthrough in player development.
Tuesday BP: World Series Game 4
Game 4 of the 2026 World Series pits the Milwaukee Brewers, who lead the Tampa Bay Rays 3-0, against a Rays lineup anchored by right‑hander Griffin Jax (3.53 ERA, 116 Ks). The game starts at 5:00 p.m. PT on Fox/Fox One with ESPN Radio coverage. Milwaukee has yet to name its starter, while Jax looks to keep Tampa Bay alive after his postseason loss to Cleveland. Fans debate whether to back the likely sweep or hope for a Ray comeback.
Player review: Patrick Bailey
Patrick Bailey’s tumultuous 2026 season turns a saga of failure into a surprising rebound. After slumping with the Giants—.146/.183 slugging, a wRC+ of 15 and -11 batting runs in 30 games—Cleveland traded for him on May 9. In Cleveland, Bailey posted a .228 average, .292 OBP and a .390 slugging line, raising his wRC+ to 90. He even shined in the postseason, going .273/.333/.455 with two homers in 33 at‑bats as the Guardians clinched the division series. The trade, driven by his elite defense and the Giants’ need for depth, proved defensible despite sacrificing a Gold‑Glove catcher.
The most important stories of 2026: #5 — The pitching!
McCovey Chronicles ranks the 2026 Giants' pitching saga as the fifth top story of the year, dissecting why their offseason haul—Tyler Mahler, Adrian Houser, plus relievers Sam Hentges, Jason Foley, Reiver Sanmartín, Caleb Kilian, Rowan Wick and Ryan Borucki—failed to deliver. Expected to add roughly 4 WAR, the group produced barely 2 WAR, leaving San Francisco’s staff at a disappointing 9.8 fWAR. Injuries to Logan Webb and under‑performance from Ryan Walker compounded the collapse. The piece cites Buster Posey’s remarks on rebuilding the rotation “from first principles” and contrasts the Giants’ approach with league trends toward higher velocity pitchers like Carlos Rodón and Blake Snell. The article blends statistical analysis with front‑office insight, questioning the wisdom of the Giants’ pitching strategy.
2027 Willie McCovey Memorial Community Prospect List introduction and nominees
The McCovey Chronicles revives the Willie McCovey Memorial Community Prospect List for the San Francisco Giants, inviting fans to rank the top 44 rookie‑eligible prospects in the organization. After a disappointing 2026 season, the community voting will run on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, with nominees posted in the comments and votes cast via the “rec” feature. Seven players start the poll, narrowing to four before new nominees are added, and any mid‑season acquisitions will be voted on separately. Graduated players like Bryce Eldridge and Jonah Cox are now ineligible. The initiative promises lively debate and fan‑driven insight into the Giants’ farm system.
Monday BP: World Series Game 3
The Monday blog preview covers Game 3 of the 2026 World Series, pitting the Milwaukee Brewers against the Tampa Bay Rays. The matchup kicks off at 5:00 p.m. PT on Fox/Fox One with ESPN Radio providing national radio coverage. While the author notes the lack of announced starting pitchers and the uncertainty of the series score after the first two games, the post invites fans to share their predictions and rooting interests. The article serves as a quick reminder of the upcoming showdown and encourages reader engagement.
Player review: Luis Arráez
Luis Arráez proved the surprise star of the San Francisco Giants' 2026 season, posting a .324/.360/.440 slash line, 121 wRC+, 10 FRV and 3.8 fWAR across 105 games. After a series of trades and defensive struggles that left him with a career -54 Fielding Run Value, Arráez snapped his slump with a hot June stretch (.354 avg, slugging up to .394+) and earned his fifth All‑Star nod. Despite modest power—only 10 homers and a $12 million one‑year contract—his contact skills and high average revitalized the Giants' lineup, making him the most valuable, if unexpected, player on the team.
Weekend BP: World Series Game 2
Game 2 of the 2026 World Series pits the Tampa Bay Rays against the Milwaukee Brewers Saturday night at 5 p.m. PT on Fox/Fox One, with ESPN Radio carrying the action. The Rays will send right‑hander Drew Rasmussen, who posted a 2.67 ERA and 174 strikeouts in the regular season and most recently delivered seven strong innings in a 3‑1 win over Cleveland. Opposing him is Brewers starter Logan Henderson, who posted a 2.47 ERA with 110 strikeouts and earned the win in a 7‑4 triumph over the Dodgers. The preview outlines both pitchers’ postseason records as fans await the decisive showdown.
The starting pitcher market rundown, trades edition
The article breaks down the San Francisco Giants' potential starting‑pitcher acquisitions via trade ahead of the 2026 offseason. It highlights the impact of a possible MLB salary cap on contract structures and notes that the Giants have both the financial flexibility and trade capital to pursue options and opt‑out players. Key targets include Arizona’s Corbin Burnes—who carries a $32.9 M AAV deal but is injury‑prone—and other plausible trade pieces such as Michael King. The author argues that pairing a trade acquisition with a free‑agent signing could rebuild a rotation capable of supporting Logan Webb now and succeeding him after 2028, while also freeing up bullpen resources. The piece weighs salary‑cap implications, recent market deals, and the Giants’ roster needs.
Thurs./Fri. BP: Who are we rooting for in Game 1?
The 2026 World Series pits the Tampa Bay Rays against the Milwaukee Brewers, with Game 1 scheduled for tomorrow night at 5 p.m. PT on Fox. The Brewers have announced right‑hander Jacob Misiorowski as their starter; he posted a 1.80 ERA and 252 strikeouts in the regular season and most recently tossed four and a third innings of one‑run ball in a 2‑1 win over the Dodgers on Oct. 11. The blog asks fans which team they’ll back, noting the Brewers’ recent upset of Los Angeles and the lack of prior championships for either club. Who are you rooting for?
The starting pitcher market rundown, free agency edition
The San Francisco Giants, fresh off a 65‑win season, are scrutinizing the free‑agent starting‑pitcher market for a rotation upgrade. While marquee arms like Tarik Skubal (potential $210‑$325 M) are deemed too costly and injury‑prone, the Giants favor smaller, controllable deals—think Robbie Ray, Tyler Mahle, or Miles Mikolas—to secure 100 quality innings without long‑term contracts. The piece highlights the team's reluctance to splurge on big names, emphasizing a strategy of smart, value‑driven acquisitions and development to break a decade‑long second‑division streak.
Tues./Weds. BP: World Series is set
The 2026 MLB World Series is set as the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Cleveland Guardians to face the Milwaukee Brewers, marking the first championship appearance for both clubs. Game 1 kicks off Friday night at 5:00 p.m. PT in Milwaukee, broadcast on Fox. Fans note the feel‑good storyline—neither team has ever won the title despite recent playoff runs—making the series a neutral, exciting showdown.
Player review: Willy Adames
The 2026 McCovey Chronicles piece dissects shortstop Willy Adames’s disastrous season with the San Francisco Giants. Despite a $59 million contract, Adames posted a .230/.289/.424 slash line, 0.4 fWAR and a –1.68 Win Probability Added, the lowest of his career. His defense collapsed—-14 Fielding Run Value and –17 Outs Above Average, placing him in the league’s bottom percentile. Injuries and 18 errors (10 on his arm) contributed to the Giants’ 81‑81 record, marking the first losing season of his career. The article argues Adames’s decline was a key factor in the team’s overall failure.
Monday BP: ALCS Game 6
Game 6 of the 2026 ALCS pits the Cleveland Guardians against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field, with the Rays holding a 3-2 series lead and the Guardians facing a must‑win to force a Game 7. The matchup is set for 5:08 p.m. PT on TBS/HBO Max, with ESPN Radio providing audio coverage. While the Guardians have yet to name their starter against Rays right‑hander Freddy Peralta, the stakes are high as the series could extend to a seventh game.
Weekend BP: ALCS Game 5
Editor’s note: The following article was written before Friday’s Game 4 was postponed. It will be made up on Saturday evening. Good morning, baseball fans! There is, unfortunately, no baseball to be had today (Saturday). But the 2026 MLB Playoffs will continue on Sunday with Game 5 of the American League Championship series between the […]
Petty SF Giants fan writes petty Dodgers post
In my glorious middle school prime, the be-all and end-all of t-shirt-based playground bravado was centered around the output of the No Fear T-Shirt Corporation. On the mean streets boulevards of Pleasant Hill, California, I learned valuable life lessons from reading my classmates’ aggressive clothing. I learned that if you died with the most toys, […]
Friday BP: DODGERS LOSE!
Good morning, baseball fans! The 2026 MLB Playoffs continue today with the American League Championship Series. WHICH MEANS THAT THE LOS ANGELES DODGERS HAVE BEEN ELIMINATED!!!! CELLLLLEBRATE GOOD TIMES, COME ON! This means that the only game being played today will be ALCS Game 4 between the visiting Tampa Bay Rays and the Cleveland Guardians. […]
Former SF Giants star gets Kershaw’d
It’s a tale as old as time: An All-Star left-handed starter for the Los Angeles Dodgers is dominating in a playoff start until it gets to the 7th inning. He throws a lot of pitches, maybe gets a little tired, and meanwhile Dave Roberts or Don Mattingly leaves him until disaster strikes. Usually, that pitcher […]
Thursday BP: Championship Series continue
Good morning, baseball fans! The 2026 MLB Playoffs continue today with ALCS Game 3 and NLCS Game 4! As ever, I’m writing this before Wednesday’s NLCS game has been played, but if there is any justice in the world, we’ll be looking to see a sweep from the Milwaukee Brewers! (I can try to manifest […]
Wednesday BP: NLCS Game 3
Good morning, baseball fans! The 2026 MLB Playoff continue tonight as the visiting Milwaukee Brewers take on the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 3 of the National League Championship Series. So far, Milwaukee has proven I was right to put all of my faith in them, as they currently have a 2-0 series lead. You […]
Monday/Tuesday BP: Championship Series continue
Good morning, baseball fans! The 2026 MLB Playoffs continue Monday and Tuesday, this time with the NLCS and ALCS. Fortunately for me, but unfortunately for you, today is a holiday so I’m pre-writing this a little farther in the past than usual. Which means that the ALDS has not actually concluded for me. So I […]
Sunday BP: NLCS Game 1
Good morning, baseball fans! The 2026 MLB Playoffs continue today as the National League Championship Series begins between the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers and the Milwaukee Brewers. As of the time this is being written, neither team has announced a starting pitcher for tonight’s game. Good old element of surprise. The game will begin at […]
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