Tuesday, October 14, 2008

GIANTS LOOK TO THE FUTURE



Although I am really happy for the success of the Rays this season, it strikes me as sad that I have to hope that an organization with a history and tradition as rich as the Giants may have to follow the Rays path to success.

Lord knows the current game plan of searching out every washed up, has-been, aged free-agent veteran and overpaying him has not been working lately. Unfortunately, the latest rumors have the Giants interested in Derrek Lee, Paul Konerko and Dan Uggla.

Now Uggla might make an impact and he is still young enough, but not if the G-men have to give up any young pitching. PLEASE!!!

A small ray of hope for the organization is contained in the most recent edition of Baseball America (Oct 19th) minor league post season scouting reports. The cover of the issue features "teen sensation" lefty Madison Bumgarner. Great, first a romance novel name and now the term "teen sensation". With all this attached to his name, is this guy destined to flame out like Leif Garret or what?

Seriously though, BA has him ranked as the top Sally League prospect this year. Other quotes I liked attached to his name were "94-95 MPH fastball", "ever-improving breaking ball and change up", "pounds both sides of the plate", "hits his spots with precision" and exhibits a killer instinct".

All good things to hear about the organizations top pitching prospect.

Others mentioned:

Arizona Fall League Participants:
Kelvin Pichardo, P (AA)
Kevin Pucetas, P (A-San Jose)
Ben Copleand, OF (AAA-Fresno)
Emmanuel Burris, INF
Ryan Rohlinger, INF



Nate Schierholtz, OF - 13th ranked PCL (AAA) prospect


Tim Alderson, RHP - 6th ranked California League prospect
"best attribute is impeccable command", "dominates without overpowering stuff", "fastball sits at 88-92", "aggressive and willing to work inside", "changeup is developing".

Pablo Sandoval, C/1B - 7th ranked California League prospect
"equally adept from either side of the plate", "can pull the ball to hit for power or take pitches the other way", "shows good discipline", "looks less comfortable on defense", "threw out 46% of base stealers".

Angel Villalona, 1B - 6th ranked South Atlantic League prospect

"showed tremendous raw hitting ability", "several observers questioned conditioning", "hitting will improve once he gets a better grasp of the strike zone".

Nick Noonan, 2B - 9th ranked South Atlantic League prospect
"sweet swing that produces line drives to all fields", "plus runner", "sound offensive mechanics", "plate discipline slipped", "going to hit for more power".

Conor Gillaspie, 3B - 5th ranked Northwest League prospect

"consistently put the barrel of the bat on the ball", "should hit for average with gap power", "speed and athleticism play up thanks to his instincts and aggressiveness", "so-so range", "soft hands and solid arm strength", "has necessary work ethic to get better defensively".

Ehire Adrainza - SS 4th ranked Arizona League prospect
"terrific instincts, quick first step, above average range and soft hands", "switch hitter with smooth stroke and good bat speed","extreme contact hitter..can develop enough power to hit 12-15 homers per year".

Jose Casilla, RHP - 9th ranked prospect Arizona League

"90-95 MPH fastball", "pitches down in the strike zone", "hard, late braking slider.

Kyle Nicholson, RHP - 17th ranked prospect Arizona League


Maybe in the future, with all these prospects, I'll have something more constructive things to write about the Giants season into October.
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Giants Top Minor League Prospects

  • 1. Joey Bart 6-2, 215 C Power arm and a power bat, playing a premium defensive position. Good catch and throw skills.
  • 2. Heliot Ramos 6-2, 185 OF Potential high-ceiling player the Giants have been looking for. Great bat speed, early returns were impressive.
  • 3. Chris Shaw 6-3. 230 1B Lefty power bat, limited defensively to 1B, Matt Adams comp?
  • 4. Tyler Beede 6-4, 215 RHP from Vanderbilt projects as top of the rotation starter when he works out his command/control issues. When he misses, he misses by a bunch.
  • 5. Stephen Duggar 6-1, 170 CF Another toolsy, under-achieving OF in the Gary Brown mold, hoping for better results.
  • 6. Sandro Fabian 6-0, 180 OF Dominican signee from 2014, shows some pop in his bat. Below average arm and lack of speed should push him towards LF.
  • 7. Aramis Garcia 6-2, 220 C from Florida INTL projects as a good bat behind the dish with enough defensive skill to play there long-term
  • 8. Heath Quinn 6-2, 190 OF Strong hitter, makes contact with improving approach at the plate. Returns from hamate bone injury.
  • 9. Garrett Williams 6-1, 205 LHP Former Oklahoma standout, Giants prototype, low-ceiling, high-floor prospect.
  • 10. Shaun Anderson 6-4, 225 RHP Large frame, 3.36 K/BB rate. Can start or relieve
  • 11. Jacob Gonzalez 6-3, 190 3B Good pedigree, impressive bat for HS prospect.
  • 12. Seth Corry 6-2 195 LHP Highly regard HS pick. Was mentioned as possible chip in high profile trades.
  • 13. C.J. Hinojosa 5-10, 175 SS Scrappy IF prospect in the mold of Kelby Tomlinson, just gets it done.
  • 14. Garett Cave 6-4, 200 RHP He misses a lot of bats and at times, the plate. 13 K/9 an 5 B/9. Wild thing.

2019 MLB Draft - Top HS Draft Prospects

  • 1. Bobby Witt, Jr. 6-1,185 SS Colleyville Heritage HS (TX) Oklahoma commit. Outstanding defensive SS who can hit. 6.4 speed in 60 yd. Touched 97 on mound. Son of former major leaguer. Five tool potential.
  • 2. Riley Greene 6-2, 190 OF Haggerty HS (FL) Florida commit.Best HS hitting prospect. LH bat with good eye, plate discipline and developing power.
  • 3. C.J. Abrams 6-2, 180 SS Blessed Trinity HS (GA) High-ceiling athlete. 70 speed with plus arm. Hitting needs to develop as he matures. Alabama commit.
  • 4. Reece Hinds 6-4, 210 SS Niceville HS (FL) Power bat, committed to LSU. Plus arm, solid enough bat to move to 3B down the road. 98MPH arm.
  • 5. Daniel Espino 6-3, 200 RHP Georgia Premier Academy (GA) LSU commit. Touches 98 on FB with wipe out SL.

2019 MLB Draft - Top College Draft Prospects

  • 1. Adley Rutschman C Oregon State Plus defender with great arm. Excellent receiver plus a switch hitter with some pop in the bat.
  • 2. Shea Langliers C Baylor Excelent throw and catch skills with good pop time. Quick bat, uses all fields approach with some pop.
  • 3. Zack Thompson 6-2 LHP Kentucky Missed time with an elbow issue. FB up to 95 with plenty of secondary stuff.
  • 4. Matt Wallner 6-5 OF Southern Miss Run producing bat plus mid to upper 90's FB closer. Power bat from the left side, athletic for size.
  • 5. Nick Lodolo LHP TCU Tall LHP, 95MPH FB and solid breaking stuff.