2009 Prospects Tracker

[McCovey]

I thought I'd start this thread to track the performances of the Giants top minor league prospects. I'll have some stats up later today.

[McCovey]

Player Team Lg Lvl G AVG OBP SLG AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI TB BB K
Buster Posey San Jose CAL A 47 .299 .377 .500 187 33 55 13 0 8 38 92 19 31
Angel Villalona San Jose CAL A 47 .308 .342 .470 185 30 57 9 0 7 29 87 7 39
Brandon Crawford Connecticut EAS AA 20 .272 .322 .358 81 8 22 2 1 1 3 29 4 23
Jesus Guzman Fresno PCL AAA 42 .383 .414 .623 167 32 64 13 3 7 36 104 10 33

[Bear]

Great information!:eek:

[TkleMstr52]

This will be exciting when that is the Giants lineup!!

[McCovey]

Brandon Crawford has really struggled over the past two weeks. I hope he gets it turned around soon. though.

[TkleMstr52]

How bad has it been Mc?

[McCovey]

How bad has it been Mc?
The past 10 games he is hitting just .205. So far at AA Connecticut he is hitting .268/.317/.368 in 24 games. His power has disappeared. At San Jose he hit six home runs in 25 games. He has just one home run so far at Connecticut. :(

[Bear]

The past 10 games he is hitting just .205. So far at AA Connecticut he is hitting .268/.317/.368 in 24 games. His power has disappeared. At San Jose he hit six home runs in 25 games. He has just one home run so far at Connecticut. :(

He is young and players develop at different rates. Give him some time.:)

[McCovey]

He is young and players develop at different rates. Give him some time.:)
No problem. I wasn't complaining, just reporting the news. I guess Keith Law was right, that Crawford is agressive and likes to chase pitches out of the strike zone. But he's young still.

[McCovey]

Angel Villalona is in a deep funk right now. After having to good months in April and May, he's hitting just .115 (3 for 26) in June so far. I guess we just have to remember that he is just 18 years old. His BB/K rate is awful (9 BB/46 K) so far.

[Bear]

Angel Villalona is in a deep funk right now. After having to good months in April and May, he's hitting just .115 (3 for 26) in June so far. I guess we just have to remember that he is just 18 years old. His BB/K rate is awful (9 BB/46 K) so far.

For Gods sake do not give up on this Kid. This Kid could be the next great Giant, and I do mean GREAT!

[McCovey]

Who's talking about giving up on the kid? I am lowering my expectations of the kid somewhat. It's becoming inceasingly apparent that he will always have that awful BB/K rate which will hinder him at the major league level. Truly elite hitters simply do not strikeout five times as much as they walk. But if he can morph into another Andres Galarraga I'd be happy with that.

[McCovey]

Thomas Neal has become a bonafide power hitting outfield prospect. He's hitting .342/.425/.614, 11 HR, 41 RBI, 46 R, 19 doubles.

http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?n=Thomas%20Neal&pos=&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=489166

[Bear]

Thomas Neal has become a bonafide power hitting outfield prospect. Hee's hitting .342/.425/.614, 11 HR, 41 RBI, 46 R, 19 doubles.

http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?n=Thomas%20Neal&pos=&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=489166

We need these types of players at this point more than we need another pitcher.:cool:

[McCovey]

We need these types of players at this point more than we need another pitcher.:cool:
I agree. I'm wondering why the Giants still haven't moved him up to AA Connecticut? I suspect he'll get promoted very soon.

[McCovey]

Thomas Neal continues to pound the ball at A San Jose.

.352/.430/.625, 12 HR, 43 RBI, 78 R, 19 doubles, 2 triples, 24 BB, 44 K

Why is he still in A-ball? He needs to go to AA Connecticut ASAP.

[McCovey]

Ho-hum. Another good day for Posey and Neal last night. Posey was 3 for 4 with a run scored and RBI. Neal was 1 for 4 with his 13th HR.

[SF Kid]

We better Ho-Hum them up to the BIGS. We can use the production!

[Bear]

We better Ho-Hum them up to the BIGS. We can use the production!

What is the big fu***** hurry? We are not going to win anything this season anyway and it could only set these kids back in their development.:nono:

[SF Kid]

Aren't you the one that wants to "play the kids"...

Sheese.

[Bear]

Aren't you the one that wants to "play the kids"...

Sheese.

I am if they are ready!

[McCovey]

I believe that Thomas Neal is the answer to the Giants lack of a power hitting outfielder. He's young, only 21, and the ball just jumps off his bat. He's probably about a year from being ready for the majors.

[Bear]

I believe that Thomas Neal is the answer to the Giants lack of a power hitting outfielder. He's young, only 21, and the ball just jumps off his bat. He's probably about a year from being ready for the majors.

Then give him is year to sharpen his game and then bring him on. God knows we need some power in our outfield.:cool:

[McCovey]

Madison Bumgarner had an great start last night against Portland wining 7-2.

8.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 H, 5 K, 2 BB

MadBum is now 5-1 W-L, 1.96 ERA, 38 K, 12 BB, 35 H in 46.0 IP at AA Connecticut.

[McCovey]

Roger Kieschnick is on an incredible tear right now. Over the past 10 game he's hittting .474, 6 HR, 21 RBI, 11 R. For the season he's now hitting:

.318/.355/.564, 15 HR, 57 RBI, 49 R, 14 douboes, 68 K, 15 BB

I bolded his strikeouts and walks. These two stats keep me from really being high on Kieschnick. He strikes out a ton and doesn't really walk. That will be a problem for him as he moves up the system. I am curious to know what Giants' managment think of him?

[SF Kid]

Great thread Mc.

Thanks for all the information.

[McCovey]

Great thread Mc.

Thanks for all the information.
You're welcome Kid. The Giants have a bright future for sure. By 2011 look out! :beerbang:

[SF Kid]

Man I'm looking forward to the Giants being in the thick of things and vying for the WS. That is the dream. We do seem to have some great players and a bright future and it's not that far away.

[Bear]

But will it happen soon enough for the OLD S.F. Kid?:eek:

[McCovey]

Man I'm looking forward to the Giants being in the thick of things and vying for the WS. That is the dream. We do seem to have some great players and a bright future and it's not that far away.

The Giants finally decided to spend money on player development. When they signed Angel Villalona in 2007 the Giants spent a franchise record $2.1 million for an international player. Then they broke the record again when they signed Rafael Rodriguez for $2.55 million in 2008. They gave Buster Posey $6.2 million which is the most ever paid to a #5 pick and the most the Giants have ever spent for a drafted player. Clearly, the Giants have made the decision to build within the minor league system and they are spending top dollar to sign the best available talent. :awesomework.gif

[McCovey]

But will it happen soon enough for the OLD S.F. Kid?:eek:
:pound: You kill me sometimes Bear!

[SF Kid]

The Bear is considerably older than the SF Kid.

Just thought I 'd throw that out there.

[McCovey]

I was checking out Buster Posey's stats today. He has 294 plate appearances so far. According to Giants' managment the plan is to promote him after 300 PA's. So now the question is whether he will he go to AA Connecticut or AAA Fresno? I wish the Giants would stop fuzting around and just promote him already.

[McCovey]

Tim Alderson pitched last night. It wasn't a great start for him but he still got the win.

5.0 IP, 7 H, 2 ER. 0 K, 2 BB

So far at AA, Alderson is:

9 GS, 49.2 IP, 4-1 W-L, 2.36 ERA, 37 K, 9 BB, 1.13 WHIP.


Madison Bumgarner pitches tonight.

[McCovey]

Ok, so what kind of numbers could Posey put up at AA or AAA. I ran the MLE's and it spit this out.

[McCovey]

Holy crap Buster Posey was hit on the head last week and I just heard about it today! :eek:


Notes: Buster Posey missed his fifth straight game after being hit in the head by a pitch. The Giants say they’re just being cautious…Two righthanded pitchers, Joe Martinez and Garrett Broshuis, have been promoted to Fresno of the Pacific Coast League… Right fielder Roger Kieschnick was named California League Offensive Player of the Week for his efforts last week. In four games, Kieschnick collected eight hits in 14 at-bats with three home runs and nine RBI’s.

Source (http://www.examiner.com/x-4505-San-Jose-Giants-Examiner%7Ey2009m7d1-Giants-score-in-top-of-ninth-beat-Ports-32)

[McCovey]

I saw this on the Giants official website. :(


Tidbits
Aaron Rowand was not in Thursday's starting lineup. The center fielder was sore after crashing into the wall Wednesday while making a catch. Giants manager Bruce Bochy said Rowand may be available to pinch-hit but described Rowand's status as day-to-day. Randy Winn assumed Rowand's leadoff spot and defensive post in center field. ... Nate Schierholtz was mired in an 0-for-13 slump entering play Thursday. ... John Bowker struck out on three pitches in his first Major League at-bat of the season in Thursday's first inning. ... Class A first baseman Angel Villalona suffered a strained quadriceps muscle while running the bases in Tuesday's game. Villalona is expected to miss at least four weeks. He was selected to play in the All-Star Futures Game on Sunday. ... Double-A Conneticut's Brock Bond had reached base safely in 52 straight games.

[WillTheThrill]

John Bowker struck out on three pitches in his first Major League at-bat of the season in Thursday's first inning.

That SUCKS about Villalona... but I was glad to see this about Bowker. I hadn't read any confirmation that Bowker was brought up to the majors (only that he'd been removed from a Wednesday-night AAA game early, which implied he was coming up).

Let's hope that he starts hitting the cover off of the ball up here! :beerbang:

Oh, and this is my 200th post. Whoo hooooooo!!!!

.

[McCovey]

It looks like Jesus Guzman is getting really hot again. After his short stint with the Giants in early June he went into a hitting funk after returning to Fresno. He finished June hitting just .189. However, so far in July Guzman is hitting .429/.510/.667. I really hopw Guzman geta another shot with the Giants.

[Bear]

It looks like Jesus Guzman is getting really hot again. After his short stint with the Giants in early June he went into a hitting funk after returning to Fresno. He finished June hitting just .189. However, so far in July Guzman is hitting .429/.510/.667. I really hopw Guzman geta another shot with the Giants.

Where? He can't play the field!:nono:

[McCovey]

Where? He can't play the field!:nono:
Does he not play the field at AAA Fresno?

[Bear]

Does he not play the field at AAA Fresno?

Yes, but he is the pits in all areas of the game except hitting. Just because he plays the field at AAA Fresno does not mean he plays the field well.:nono:

[WillTheThrill]

Yes, but he is the pits in all areas of the game except hitting. Just because he plays the field at AAA Fresno does not mean he plays the field well.:nono:

I agree.

I'm usually not a fan of the Designated Hitter, but Guzman kind of makes me wish that the Giants played in a league with the DH... he'd be perfect.

.

[McCovey]

I've been trying to find some defensive metrics and/or scouting reports on Guzman's defense. They've been difficult to find. People just regurgitating that Guzman has poor defense doesn't really tell me anything about Guzman's defensive skills.

[Bear]

I've been trying to find some defensive metrics and/or scouting reports on Guzman's defense. They've been difficult to find. People just regurgitating that Guzman has poor defense doesn't really tell me anything about Guzman's defensive skills.

Let me tell you the few times I have seen him play his foot work around the bag was little league and his hands are made of stone. He may be able to play the field for you but he can't make a little league team in the field for most people.:eek:

[McCovey]

Let me tell you the few times I have seen him play his foot work around the bag was little league and his hands are made of stone. He may be able to play the field for you but he can't make a little league team in the field for most people.:eek:
When did you see him play?

[Bear]

When did you see him play?

When he was up with the Giants this season.;)

[WillTheThrill]

When the AAA Fresno Grizzlies came to Portland (we have the Padres' AAA team here), I managed to make it to one game. Unfortunately, they gave Guzman the night off and I only saw one at-bat when he pinch-hit in the ninth inning. So I didn't get a chance to see his defense.

.

[McCovey]

I have no idea why Thomas Neal is still at A San Jose? :shrug: In 81 games he's hitting

.344/.430/.612. 15 HR, 26 doubles, 4 triples, 58 RBI, 64 R, 180 TB, 34 BB, 58 BB.

[McCovey]

I came across this second base prospect at AA. His name Brock Bond. He's 23 years old and at AA Connecticut. What caught my eye is his really high batting average and on-base percentage. Check out his career minor league stats.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=bond--001bro

His career line is .328/.423/.392

The kid has zero power but a career .328 hitter with a .423 OBP is quite valuable. This year at AA Connecticut he is hitting .348/.442/.411.

I wonder what his defense is like? I'll go try to dig up some scouting reports. If he has good defense ans can hit and draw his walks maybe he is the answer at second base.

[WillTheThrill]

I have no idea why Thomas Neal is still at A San Jose? :shrug: In 81 games he's hitting

.344/.430/.612. 15 HR, 26 doubles, 4 triples, 58 RBI, 64 R, 180 TB, 34 BB, 58 BB.

What position does Neal play again? Can't remember. Maybe there is talent ahead of him at AA Connecticut that they don't want to move up to AAA yet? Just a wild guess.

.

[McCovey]

What position does Neal play again? Can't remember. Maybe there is talent ahead of him at AA Connecticut that they don't want to move up to AAA yet? Just a wild guess.

.
Neal plays left field. Connecticut's current left fielder, Bobby Femly, is hitting .251/.317/.368 with 4 HR, 37 RBI, 39 runs.

[WillTheThrill]

Neal plays left field. Connecticut's current left fielder, Bobby Femly, is hitting .251/.317/.368 with 4 HR, 37 RBI, 39 runs.

Strange. And since Neal is an outfielder, I would assume (perhaps incorrectly?) that he can play other outfield positions even IF Femly was tearing up the league.

I don't get it. :shrug:

.

[McCovey]

Strange. And since Neal is an outfielder, I would assume (perhaps incorrectly?) that he can play other outfield positions even IF Femly was tearing up the league.

I don't get it. :shrug:

.
I hope the Giants have a plan as to when they want to promote Neal.

[Bear]

I hope the Giants have a plan as to when they want to promote Neal.

Now that would be novel. The Giants' plan is to throw shit at the wall a see if it sticks.

Bowker was hitting the cover off the wall for the short time he was up and the next thing you know he is sent down. Give these kids more time when you bring them up. Who knows what might happen. :rolleyes:

[WillTheThrill]

Bowker was hitting the cover off the wall for the short time he was up...

According to Yahoo Sports Giants Team Report, Bowker was batting .156... and his stats bear that out. He was 5 for 32 with 1 HR, 4 RBI, 1 BB and 10 K.

You say he was "hitting the cover off the wall"? Was that a typo, trying to say "hitting the cover off the ball"? If so, I'd say you are in error my friend. :D And if you meant literally he was hitting the wall, meaning, I guess, that he was hitting the ball hard even if he wasn't getting hits... well... part of baseball is "hitting them where they ain't".

Either way, I don't think it's any great loss that the Giants sent him down. Maybe he needs more at bats and to get his stroke, but I'd rather he do it in AAA where the games "don't count", than up here.

.

[McCovey]

I was very disappointed with Bowker's performance with the Giants. Still it was just 32 AB's. That's not enough AB's to really determine how good he is.

[WillTheThrill]

Still it was just 32 AB's. That's not enough AB's to really determine how good he is.

That is very, very true. 32 AB's is not many. But right now I'm more interested in seeing what Garko can do. Let Bowker get in his ABs in AAA for now.

.

[Bear]

According to Yahoo Sports Giants Team Report, Bowker was batting .156... and his stats bear that out. He was 5 for 32 with 1 HR, 4 RBI, 1 BB and 10 K.

You say he was "hitting the cover off the wall"? Was that a typo, trying to say "hitting the cover off the ball"? If so, I'd say you are in error my friend. :D And if you meant literally he was hitting the wall, meaning, I guess, that he was hitting the ball hard even if he wasn't getting hits... well... part of baseball is "hitting them where they ain't".

Either way, I don't think it's any great loss that the Giants sent him down. Maybe he needs more at bats and to get his stroke, but I'd rather he do it in AAA where the games "don't count", than up here.

.

I meant to say he is hitting the ball hard time and time again. He also has been laying off bad pitches which he went after early on which shows growth and the ability to learn. If we let this guy get away we will regret it for sure.

As far as taking time from Garko that will not happen as Bowker is thought of now as mainly an outfielder. I hope to god Garko is kept a first base as he was a failure in the outfield for the Indians.

[McCovey]

Baseball America has put out its Top-20 Prospect list and the Giants have three players on it! :beerbang: Mind you this is the Top-20 prospects in all of baseball!

--------------------------------------------------------------------
No. 2 BUSTER POSEY, C GIANTS
http://www.baseballamerica.com/images/bposey09100140.jpg

Teams: high Class A San Jose (California) / Triple-A Fresno (Pacific Coast)
Age: 22
Why He's Here: .325/.416/.531 (137-for-422), 18 HR, 31 2B, 1 3B, 80 RBIs, 84 R, 62 BB, 68 SO, 6-for-7 SB
The Scoop: As he sits unused on the Giants' big league bench, Posey has plenty of time to reflect on an outstanding first full pro season, which included throwing out 39 of 84 basestealers (46 percent). Posey may not have matched Matt Wieters' pro debut in 2008 (.355/.454/.600 in the Carolina and Eastern leagues), but it still ranks among the best debuts by a catching prospect in years. Everything is set up for Posey to become the Giants stater next year, when pending free agent Bengie Molina may be on another club's roster.

-------------------------------------------------------------------
No. 9 MADISON BUMGARNER, LHP, GIANTS
http://www.baseballamerica.com/images/mbumgarner08100140.jpg

Team: Double-A Connecticut (Eastern) / high Class A San Jose (California)
Age: 19
Why He's Here: 12-2, 1.85, 131 1/3 IP, 100 H, 6 HR, 34 BB, 92 SO
The Scoop:Of the top 15 minor league ERA leaders from a year ago, only one returned to the same heights in '09—Bumgarner. He led the minors in ERA in '08 and followed it up by finished third this time. But where Bumgarner simply blew the ball by low Class A hitters in '08, he relied more on pitching this year. His fastball lost a little velocity as the season went along, but it didn't seem to help hitters. Long term, the question still remains whether Bumgarner's secondary stuff will ever catch up to his fastball. And if it doesn't, can a starting pitcher can succeed largely on the basis of one pitch—even if it's a very good fastball. Either way, Bumgarner's blitz through the minors could not have been any more impressive.

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No. 16 THOMAS NEAL, LF, GIANTS
http://www.baseballamerica.com/images/tneal09100140.jpg

Team: high Class A San Jose (California)
Age: 22
Why He's Here: .337/.431/.579 (160-for-475), 22 HR, 41 2B, 4 3B, 90 RBIs, 102 R, 65 BB, 98 SO, 3-for-3 SB
The Scoop: Yes, Neal played in the California League, which makes poor hitters look OK, average hitters look good and good hitters look great. But Neal spent his year at San Jose, which qualifies as a pitcher's park by league standards. His knack for centering the ball on the bat is not a mirage. He joins recent San Jose alumni Pablo Sandoval and Buster Posey in suggesting that the Giants can develop hitters.

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/prospect-hot-sheet/2009/268861.html