Hard to believe when the temps up here in Illinois are 32 degrees or less, but it's that time of year again. Everybody starts 0-0 and every fan starts the season with visions of playoff berths dancing in their heads.
Maybe even the Giants. It just won't be this year. Perhaps 2010.
So what do we have to look forward to this year Giant fans? More Dave Roberts, Randy Winn, Rich Aurilia and Bengie Molina? More of the struggles of Barry Zito? YES. But wait, there's more.
Waiting in the wings are the eventual replacements for the pile of wasted salary mentioned above.
THE GIANTS TOP TEN PROSPECTS FOR 2009:
1. Madison Bumgarner LHP 6-5, 225
2. Buster Posey C 6-1,190
3. Tim Alderson RHP 6-6, 220
4. Conor Gilaspie 3B 6-1, 200
5. Angel Villalona 1B 6-3, 240
6. Pablo Sandoval C-1B-3B
7. Nate Schierholz RF 6-2, 215
8. Henry Sosa RHP 6-2, 185
9. Kevin Pucetas RHP 6-4, 225
10. Nick Noonan 2B 6-0, 180
The list is more than half-filled with guys who could help this year and others who are 2010 prospects and beyond, but it is shaping up to be the beginnings of transforming the franchise into one that builds more from within.
Bumgarner, Alderson, Villalona and Noonan are futures.
Schierholtz has to be in his put-up or shut-up year. They have to make room for him or move him.
They need to figure out what is going on at the corners (1B and 3B) so they can decide where to slot Sandoval. Pablo seems like he can hit at any level. He is a defensive plus behind the dish and a minus at 1B or 3B. So why he is going into the season as the projected 3B, I don't know. I'm sure the entire pitching staff is hoping Gilaspie can hit enough to play at third.
If Gilaspie fits at third, Sandoval perhaps shares time with Ishakawa at first until Posey is ready to take the reins from Molina behind the plate.
Eventually Noonan takes over at 2B and Ehire Adianza, a defensive wizard, takes over for Renteria at SS. Adianza seems to have risen ahead of Charlie Culbertson and Brandon Crawford as heir-apparent at SS.
Among the pitchers, Sosa helps fill middle innings in the bullpen and Pucetas is rising as an insurance policy against Noah Lowry not returning at 100% from elbow surgery. Pucetas works fast, has a good mix of pitches and competes well. His size is a plus, but he may need more seasoning at AA or AAA before arriving later in the year.
Scott Barnes, a LHP from St. John's impressed enough that he will get a solid look in camp as well as LHP's Ben Snyder and Clayton Tanner. You can never have too many left-handers. From the right side Kyle Nicholson seems to be the most impressive RHP that could earn a spot.
The Giants 2009 season may be much like this nations economic woes, we're just looking for signs of a turnaround. EEEEEEKKKKKK!!!!!!!
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