Will the San Francisco Giants be willing to move top prospect, Kyle Crick?

Today, the Houston Astros had a bit of mishaps, to say the least, having documents, which discuss all trade dialogue in a ten month span, leaked online. Within these leaked documents, it was also revealed that the San Francisco Giants were not willing to move Kyle Crick. According to the documents, San Francisco were chasing starting pitchers Bud Norris and Lucas Harrell. As expected, Houston asked for Crick, but the Giants were not willing to move top prospect, Crick.

"SF indicated to [Luhnow] that they would do Blackburn plus another piece but couldn’t include Crick."

The dialogue happened on the 28th of June, 2013. Given the Giants recent struggles, they will evidently be buyers, as the trade deadline approaches. Big names like David Price, Jeff Samardzija and many others have been linked to San Francisco. Naturally, when one demands a top player, the seller demands a top prospect. Enter; Kyle Crick.  Crick is still the Giants’ number one prospect. Given the Giants rich history of developing amazing arms, Crick is viewed as a hot commodity, and any team who does indeed trade with the Giants, will probably demand they receive Crick.

Most people – those who understand the franchise needs to worry about the future anyway – would object to the moving of our number prospect. But, let me tell you why I think the Giants, may indeed move Crick, despite their refusal to move him to Houston last year. First things first, aces like Price and Samardzija will, obviously, demand a much bigger package, than the one needed to capture Norris, and hence, Crick could be in line to be moved. But, most importantly, the one big thing that has changed in the last ten months – Crick hasn’t quite been the player the Giants once sought him to be.

Crick is the Giants number one prospect for a reason, however, control issues are a well known liability for the young pitcher. In fact, so much so, many experts believe that if Crick does actually make it to the big leagues, he could be in the bullpen. These control issues are evident, his average BB/9 is a staggering 6.37. Furthermore, Crick was able to walk only 5 batters in 25 innings over three starts last month, before walking 9 in his last 9 innings. His control issues don’t seem to be regressing in any way at all. Whilst Crick does own impressive stuff; a 96 mph heater, complemented by equally nasty offspeed pitches – a slider and a changeup, he will need to start throwing them all for strikes.

50% of the time, his changeup will be called a ball. Only 31% of the time, his fastball will be a strike. A scary 57% of the time, his slider will be a ball. On a three ball count, Crick will only throw a strike 40% of the time. Rather worrying figures, undeniably.

The positives on Crick? He has started to use his offspeed stuff a lot more. His fastball usage regressed from 93% to a, still rather high, 62.5%. Bottom line is: If Crick can work on his control, he could be an ace, if he can’t, he may end up in the bullpen, if even. The decision lies in the hands of the Giants front office, move a potential ace/reliever for a starter who could help win another World Series. One things for sure, things have changed since the Giants ruled out moving Crick to Houston. Oh – and the Astros will, in all seriousness, need to think of a better password.