Giants shore up pitching with Franklin, Estrella

By Jim Callis
March 30, 2004

On the same day that the Giants placed Robb Nen and Scott Eyre on the disabled list, and continued to wonder whether they'll have to do the same with staff ace Jason Schmidt, they did find some mound reinforcements. San Francisco picked up Wayne Franklin and Leo Estrella from Milwaukee on Tuesday for minor league righthanders Glenn Woolard and Carlos Villanueva.

Franklin, a 30-year-old lefthander, could replace Schmidt in the Giants rotation if Schmidt's shoulder soreness persists. Franklin went 10-13, 5.50 in 36 games (34 starts) for the Brewers in 2003, his first full season as a big league starter. His ERA was the highest in the National League, as were the 34 homers he allowed, and he also finished last in strikeout-walk ratio (116-94 in 195 innings). Opponents hit .268 against him. Franklin lacks an out pitch, working with a high-80s fastball, a slider and a changeup. He'd fit better as a lefty specialist and spent the first six years of his pro career in relief. He has a career 12-14, 5.29 record in 76 big league games (38 starts).

Estrella, a 28-year-old righty, finally stuck in the majors last year, his 10th in pro ball. He began the year at Triple-A Indianapolis but was called up in late April and went 7-3, 4.36 with three saves in 58 games. In 66 innings, he had a 25-21 K-BB ratio, while opponents hit .290 with 10 homers against him. Like Franklin, he has marginal big league stuff. His fastball is more notable for his velocity, and his best pitch is his splitter. He also throws a slider and changeup. Big league hitters caught up to Estrella, as he posted a 6.59 ERA after the all-star break, so he'll have to prove himself once more.

Woolard, 22, was a 10th-round pick in 2002, when he was the NCAA Division II pitcher of the year and led Kutztown State (Pa.) to that level's College World Series. He led D-II in wins (14-2, 2.81) and strikeouts (148 in 106 innings) that spring. His best pitch is a knuckle-curve, and he has the ability to change speeds with it. Woolard's changeup is also a strength, but his fastball sits at 89-91 mph and he must generate more life on it and keep it down in the zone. He spent 2003 at low Class A Hagerstown, going 8-9, 3.44 in 26 games (25 starts). He had a 135-43 K-BB ratio in 144 innings, and opponents batted .236 with 10 homers.

Villanueva, 20, signed out of the Dominican Republic in March 2002. He has an advanced feel for pitching and an 89-92 mph fastball. He went 3-6, 3.97 in 12 games (10 starts) in the Rookie-level Arizona League last year. His K-BB ratio was 67-13 in 59 innings, and opponents hit .277 with one homer.