Top 30 Prospects: 2008

[McCovey]

Ok, I'll be posting the Giants' top 30 prospects according to Baseball America in the next days. Stay tuned! :beerbang:

[Bear]

Ok, I'll be posting the Giants' top 30 prospects according to Baseball America in the next days. Stay tuned! :beerbang:


I will be waiting! http://www.augk18.dsl.pipex.com/Smileys/waiting.gif

[SF Kid]

Mmmmm that should be interesting and give us something to really talk about.

[McCovey]

I will be waiting! http://www.augk18.dsl.pipex.com/Smileys/waiting.gif

Come on Bear. Give me a little bit of time to get set up and ready to go! :p

[Bear]

Come on Bear. Give me a little bit of time to get set up and ready to go! :p

OK, you have 36 hours!:D

[McCovey]

Mmmmm that should be interesting and give us something to really talk about.

My plan is to give updates on the entire Giants minor league system and track the top prospects. I think this could draw in lots of Giants fans to this forum. Plus, it's a passion of mine so I'll keep up with it because simply I enjoy it. :)

[SF Kid]

My plan is to give updates on the entire Giants minor league system and track the top prospects.That's cool.

You're a better man than the Bear. :pound:

[Bear]

That's cool.

You're a better man than the Bear. :pound:
What ever that means?:pound:

[McCovey]

Sorry for the delay. I finally got a copy of Baseball America's 2008 Prospect Handbook. I love this book. It discusses the top 30 prospects of every major league team. That's 900 prospects.

Here are the Giants top 30 prospects going into the 2008 season.


. Name Positon Age Notes:
1 Angel Villalona 1B/2B 17
2 Tim Alderson RHP 19
3 Madison Bumgarner LHP 18
4 Nate Schierholtz OF 24
5 Henry Sosa RHP 22
6 Nick Noonan 2B/SS 19
7 Eugenio Velez OF/2B 26
8 Wendell Fairley OF 20
9 John Bowker OF 24
10 Emmanuel Burriss SS 23
11 Brian Bocock SS 23
12 Clayton Tanner LHP 20
13 Mike McBryde OF 23
14 Charlie Culberson SS 19
15 Waldis Joaquin RHP 21
16 Nick Pereria RHP 25
17 Osiris Matos RHP 23
18 Jackson Williams C 22
19 Wilber Bucardo RHP 20
20 Erick Threets LHP 26
21 Ben Snyder LHP 22
22 Pat Misch LHP 26
23 Kelvin Phicardo RHP 22
24 Merkin Valdez RHP 26
25 Brett Pill 1B 23
26 Brian Anderson RHP 25
27 Travis Denker 2B 22
28 Sergio Romo RHP 25
29 Brian Horwitz OF 25
30 Ben Copeland OF 24
What's interesting about this list is that Pablo Sandoval, the catcher destroying pitching at single A San Jose, is not on this list! :pound:

I'll add notes to each player on an ongoing basis.

[Bear]

Wonderful information. It is posts like this that make a board like this so special!

[McCovey]

Wonderful information. It is posts like this that make a board like this so special!
I want this board to be special. I want this board to be the #1 SF Giants board on the Internet. :beerbang: I feel if this board offers Giants fans info they cannot find anywhere else then we will attract lots of hardcore Giants fans. Remember, "If we build it, they will come". :awesomework.gif

[McCovey]

Bear,

Did you notice you boy Pat Misch is at #22? :D

[Bear]

Bear,

Did you notice you boy Pat Misch is at #22? :D
No, but that does not say much for the list or anyone lower down on the list. Misch will never be a winner on the major league level!:nono:

[McCovey]

No, but that does not say much for the list or anyone lower down on the list. Misch will never be a winner on the major league level!:nono:
These kinds of list are always in flux. Case in point Pablo Sandoval is not even listed. I'm sure if Baseball American were to rank the Giants' prospects today, Sandoval would easily be in the top 10 at least.

[Bear]

These kinds of list are always in flux. Case in point Pablo Sandoval is not even listed. I'm sure if Baseball American were to rank the Giants' prospects today, Sandoval would easily be in the top 10 at least.


I am not sure what his age is but if he is above 28 that might hold him back.
:twocents:

[McCovey]

I am not sure what his age is but if he is above 28 that might hold him back.
:twocents:
Sandoval is 21, born 8/11/1986. He's currently batting .415/.465/.715 (62 for 151), 8 HR, 39 RBI, 36 R, 18 doubles, 15 BB, 24 K in 36 games. I expect him to be at double A Connecticut Defenders by early summer I would think. A kid batting .415 at A ball needs to move up.

[McCovey]

Giants #1 Prospect: Angel Villalona

Position: 3B/1B
DOB: August 13, 1990
HT: 6'3"
WT: 210
Bats: R
Throws: R

Giants special assistant Felipe Alou spent nearly two decades in player development with the Expos and considers Andres Galarraga the best young power hitter he ever came across. When Alou watch Villalona take batting practice for the first time, he had visions of the Big Cat dancing in his head. With a barrel chest and strapping body, Villalona looks like a premiere power-hitting prospect and he takes batting practice to match. He doesn't look like he's 17 years old, which is what the Giants must keep reminding themselves as they develop their $2.1 million bonus baby out of the Dominican Republic. "If he's a 17 year old high school prospect right, I don't know how much money he'd get," retiring farm director Jack Hiatt said. "He's got unbelievable power." Though his major league debut is years away, San Francisco fans already consider Villalona the shining savior in a system that hasn't produced and impact position player since Will Clark and Matt Williams in the mid-1980s. Villalona made his pro debut in the Rookie-level Arizona League, where he was both the youngest player and the No. 1 prospect, and earned a late call up to short-season Salem-Keizer.

The Giants wanted Villalona to concentrate on developing good habits as he acclimated to life int he United States, including basics like taking productive batting practice and learning to compete. They noticed major improvements form his first instructional league in 2006 to the next, especially with his hitting approach. He's able to hang in tougher on breaking balls, and shown ability to hit to the opposite field with runners on base and no longer swings out of his shoes on every pitch. San Francisco is so enamored with his powerful bat it is concerned yet about where it will play. Villalona is athletic for his size, and he has good hands and a well above-average arm at third base. He's shy but easily likable and coaches say he is eager to learn.

Villalona is still growing and his weight bears watching. He is an average runner now but will rate below average as he gets older. The giants already acknowledge that he'll probably be a first baseman down the road perhaps as soon as 2008. Special assistant J.T. Snow, a former Gold Glove first baseman, worked with Villalona during the instructional league and he picked up first base quickly. He tends to throw from a low arm angle, leading to errors. Villalona didn't react well at first when he wasn't assigned to Salem to start the summer,and he remains unschooled when it comes to subtle nuances of the game such as bunt plays and cutoffs, but that's to be expected of someone who could be a high school junior.

In 2008, Villalona will log his first full pro season and almost certainly will be the youngest regular in the low class A South Atlantic League. He's talented enough to reach the majors before his 20th birthday, which won't come until August 2010, but the Giants insist they have no time table. "When he's ready and can do the right things consistently in front of crowds, he'll get there and stay there a long time," Hiatt said.

From Basball America Prospect Handbook 2008

[Bear]

I look forward to the day he comes up to the Big Club, but I can wait until he is ready.;)

[McCovey]

Giants #2 Prospect: Tim Alderson

Position: RHP
DOB: November 3, 1988
HT: 6'7"
WT: 217
Bats: R
Throws: R

Pitching exclusively from the stretch, Alderson was a two-time Arizona player of the Year and helped Horizon high to a pair of 5-A state championships. He showed unbelieveable command for a high school senior, let alone one who's 6-foot-7, issuing just four walks while striking out 111 in 73 innings. He was drafted 22nd overall and signed for $1.29 million. Alderson has the best command of any high school pitcher in recent memory. His fastball sits in the low 90s and tops out at 94 mph, and San Francisco projects he'll throw harder. His low-80s curveball already ranks the best in the system. He can change planes with it, take some velocity off to achieve a bigger break. He ahs no problems throwing out of an easy windup in instructional league, and he repeated those mechanics well. Alderson's herky-jerky delivery leads to some concerns about his durability as a starter. The Giants think he gets his body in a good position to thow and won't have any problem staying in a rotation. He's made progress with his rudimentary changup. The Giants won't be afraid to push Alderson due to his uncanny command. Low Class A Augusta is the logical next step, but don't be surprised if Alderson opens 2008 at high Class A San Jose.

From Basball America Prospect Handbook 2008

[Bear]

It sounds like Madison Bumgarner and Tim Alderson could pitch in the #4 & #5 spots in the Giants rotation right now!:)

[McCovey]

Giants #3 Prospect: Madison Bumgarner

Position: LHP
DOB: August 1st, 1989
HT: 6'4"
WT: 215
Bats: R
Throws: L

The hardest throwing high school lefthander in the 2007 draft, Bumgarner also was a fine right-handed hitter who helped South Caldwell High win two North Carolina 4-A state championships. He became the first prep southpaw drafted in the first round by the Giants since Mike Remlinger in 1987. The 10th overall pick, Bumgarner, signed for $2 million. Bumgarner has everything the Giants look for in a pitching prospect--size, athelticism, and velocity. His fastball works at 92-94 mph and hits 97 on occasion. It has good boring action and often runs in on the hands of righthanders. A tremendous athlete, he showed flashes of dominance in instructional league. Bumgarner went higher in the draft but grades below Tim Alderson becasue his command and breaking ball aren't nearly as good. When Bumgarner stays on top of his pitch, it's a hard slurve and sweeps away from lefthanders. His changeup is in the experimental stages and he throws it too hard, but should be a useful pitch in time. Coming form rural western North Carolina, Bumgarner had a tougher task acclimating to Arizona and his first pro experience. While he may not move as quickly as Alderson, Bumgarner has a higher ceiling. He figures to make his pro debut in low Class A.

From Baseball America Prospect Handbook 2008

[McCovey]

It's interesting that the three highest rated Giants prospects were born between 1988-1990. The future does look bright for the Giants. At least I hope.

[McCovey]

Tim Alderson, the Giants #2 prospect, is having a great season at A San Jose.

11-3, 121.1 IP, 2.82 ERA, 107 K, 33 BB, .239 BAA, 3 HR allowed

Madison Bumgarner, the Giants #3 prospect, is also having a great season at A Augusta.

11-3, 116.1 IP, 1.80 ERA, 125 K, 16 BB, .222 BAA, 3 HR allowed

[McCovey]

Madison Bumgarner continues to impress in the South Altantic League.

124.1 IP, 12-3 W/L, 1.59 ERA, 133 K, 18BB, 100 H, .221 BAA

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?n=Madison%20Bumgarner&pos=P&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=518516

The kid just turned 19 two weeks ago and is absolutely dominating his league right now. He has 133 Ks and just 18 walks? Are you freaking kidding me?! I hope the Giants move him up to San Jose soon.

[Bear]

Tim Alderson & Madison Bumgarner can't get here fast enough for the Bear. Add these two guys to the rotation with Tim and Matt and who needs Zipo. Zipo must go!!! :bananadance:

[McCovey]

Tim Alderson & Madison Bumgarner can't get here fast enough for the Bear. Add these two guys to the rotation with Tim and Matt and who needs Zipo. Zipo must go!!! :bananadance:
Depending on how fast they develop we could see one of them or both of them in San Francisco by late 2009! Both have outstanding stuff, especially Bumgarner. I can see the Giants being a really solid club by 2011.

[McCovey]

Madison Bumgarner and Tim Alderson continue to impress!


. W L ERA G GS CG SHO IP H R ER HR BB SO AVG
Bumgarner 15 3 1.46 24 24 1 1 141.2 111 28 23 3 21 164 .216
Alderson 12 4 2.91 25 25 0 0 139.1 122 48 45 4 34 117 .238


Alderson is in the California League and Bumgarner is in the South Atlantic League.

[McCovey]

Alderson got another win on August 30th, 6 IP, 7 K, 0 BB, 0 ER and just 3 H. Wow. The kid is now:

13-4 W-L, 2.79 ERA, 145.3 IP, 125 H, 124 K, 34 BB, .235 BAA

Did I mention the kid is just 19 years old? He turns 20 in November.

[SF Kid]

Wow, those are some nice looking stats no matter where you're playing.

[McCovey]

Wow, those are some nice looking stats no matter where you're playing.
Yes, Alderson and Bumgarner have some serious talent. Hopefully, we'll see one of even both on them up with the Giants sometime in '09.

[Bear]

Yes, Alderson and Bumgarner have some serious talent. Hopefully, we'll see one of even both on them up with the Giants sometime in '09.

Only if they have room for them in the rotation. That means someone in the current rotation has to go. Who will that be?:confused:

[McCovey]

Only if they have room for them in the rotation. That means someone in the current rotation has to go. Who will that be?:confused:
Zito, Lowry, and Corriea are the obvious choices. But there is no way the Giants have the guts to dump Zito. :o

[Bear]

Zito, Lowry, and Corriea are the obvious choices. But there is no way the Giants have the guts to dump Zito. :o

I think you may be wrong!;)

[McCovey]

I think you may be wrong!;)
In this case I'd be happy to be very wrong. I just have a hard time believing the Giants will simply throw away roughly $90 million left on Zito's contract. And check this out. The Giants have an 8th year option on the contract for an additional $18 million! Now the Giants can buy out the option year but it will cost them $7 million! Fricking Giants got reamed by Scott Boras on this one. :mad:

[Bear]

No they reamed themselves! And now it's time to pay the piper :nono:

[SF Kid]

No they reamed themselves! And now it's time to pay the piper :nono:They should but we've talked about it a lot. I don't think they'll cut bait on Zito's contract so quickly. Right or wrong I thnk that is what the Giants organization will do. :o

[McCovey]

They should but we've talked about it a lot. I don't think they'll cut bait on Zito's contract so quickly. Right or wrong I thnk that is what the Giants organization will do. :o
The Giants need to sit down with Zito over the off season and make a plan. Over the past few years there have been much scientific work done in understanding pitching mechanics and finding tiny flaws in a pitcher's motions using high speed cameras and computer modeling. The Giant have to get Zito back to the point where he's at least a useful starter like a #3-#4 type of pitcher. If Zito can raise his level up to say a guy that can go 14-10 with a 4.25 ERA his huge contract would be more palatable. Like I said before it makes no business sense to just eat $90 million of Zito's contract.

[SF Kid]

That's right Mac and in the end baseball is a business whether the fans want to understand that or not.