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Monday, July 11, 2011

Minor Thoughts: 7-11-11

Sorry I’m falling a bit behind, but there are many things Giants’ related to discuss these days, so it’s time for me to play catch up.  I haven’t had a chance to mention any of the short-season teams in the system yet, so I thought I would start with them this time around and work my way up to the higher levels.  Remember, most of the players listed in these posts are not big name prospects.  I like to give mention to some of the lesser-known players in the system as well.  For a list of some of the top Giants farmhands, please see my top 25 prospects list.

AZL Giants | Arizona Rookie League | 12-4
Ben Thomas (1B 22 y.o.) 14 Games, .404/.469/1.206, 4 HR 15 RBI (A lefty from Xavier in his first pro season)

Kelby Tomlinson (SS 21 y.o.) 8 Games, .323/.382/.931, 2 HR 6 RBI 3 SB (Giants 12th round pick.  Went to Texas Tech)

Leonardo Fuentes (OF 18 y.o.) 14 Games, .270/.281/.694, 1 HR 9 RBI (2009 Signee out of Colombia with a 6-4, 215 lb build)

Brian Maloney (P 22 y.o.) 1-0, 1.23 ERA, 7.1 IP 6 H 1 ER 4 BB 12 K (First-year lefty out of Franklin Pierce University)

Joan Gregorio (P 19 y.o.) 4 GS 0-0, 2.40 ERA, 17.2 IP 14 H 4 ER 3 BB 13 K (6-7 righty out of the Dominican Republic.  Played last season in the Dominican Summer League)  

* These kids all have a very long way to go, but there are some promising young draft talents among the Arizona League team to keep an eye on.


Salem-Keizer Volcanoes | SS-A Northwest League | 8-16

Mike Murray (C 23 y.o.) 20 Games, .440/.470/1.123, 4 HR 18 RBI (Undrafted second year player out of Wake Forest)    

Kaohi Downing (2B 25 y.o.) 16 Games, .362/.393/.876, 0 HR 5 RBI, 3 SB (50th round selection in 2009.  Too old for this league)

Joe Panik (SS 20 y.o.) 21 Games, .349/.423/.905, 3 HR 17 RBI, 4 SB (Panik was the Giants’ 2011 first round selection.  He’s a left-handed hitter who posted impressive numbers during his time at St. John’s University, and is hitting well out of the gates so far for the Giants.  He seems capable of handling the pitching in the Northwest League just fine, so hopefully we’ll see him in San Jose for the playoffs). 


                 Joe Panik

Brett Krill (OF 22 y.o.) 11 Games, .341/.362/1.112, 4 HR 17 RBI 2 SB.  (First year in the organization for the 6-4 195 lb right-hander)

Lorenzo Mendoza (P 19 y.o.) 2-1 3.86 ERA, 21 IP 18 H 9 ER 3 BB 21 K (2009 signee from Dominican Republic).

This team appears to have some good potential among the position players, highlighted by Joe Panik and outfielder Chuckie Jones (currently on the DL).  However, the Volcanoes’ pitching staff as a whole has been lit up through their first 24 games. 

Augusta GreenJackets | A South Atlantic League | 40-48
Adam Duvall (3B 22 y.o.) 86 games, .277/.377/.913, 19 HR 22 2B 70 RBI (11th round pick in 2010 is still the organization’s leader in home runs).

Carlos Willoughby (2B 22 y.o.) 83 games, .260/.373/.701, 1 HR 27 RBI 26 SB (Colombian native is showing versatility in his first year of full season ball.  He’s still a bit old for Low A, however). 

Rafael Rodriguez (RF 19 y.o.) 67 games, .237/.290/.594, 1 HR 20 RBI (Signed out of the DR in 2008.  Believed to have big upside, but has not yet produced in full season ball.  He’s still very young).    

Stephen Harrold (P 22 y.o.) 4-3 | 1.64 ERA | 14 SV, 38.1 IP 29 H 7 ER 16 BB 38 K (12th round pick in 2010.  2011 SAL midseason All-Star). 

Seth Rosin (P 22 y.o.) 2-2 | 3.53 ERA | 2 SV | 66.1 IP 59 H 26 ER 21 BB 60 K (Big righty (6-5, 235 lb) has made 10 starts in 22 appearances in his first year at full season level). 


                        Adam Duvall

San Jose Giants | High-A Cal League | 59-28

Alex Burg (C 23 y.o.) 26 games, .374/.463/1.122, 6 HR 17 RBI (24th round selection in 2010 began his season about a month ago and has had the hot hand ever since.  Does strike out frequently though (32 times in 26 games)). 

Ehire Adrianza (SS 22 y.o.) 11 games, .333/.404/.928, 0 HR, 5 RBI (Adrianza was called up from Augusta, where he was hitting only .231 through 38 games.  He’s been called a top prospect for a few years because of his defensive skills, but his bat has not come around thus far.  This is his second trip to San Jose in his minor league career).   

Gary Brown (CF 22 y.o.) 82 games, .316/.383/.854, 21 2B 6 3B 7 HR 51 RBI 35 SB (First round selection in 2010, was a Cal League All-Star and a member of the American team in the Future’s Game, where he was 1-2 with a SB and a run). 

Jarrett Parker (OF 22 y.o.) 79 games, .266/.374/.808, 18 2B 3 3B 9 HR 44 RBI 15 SB (2nd round pick in 2010 draft.  6-4 outfielder with a lot of different tools is improving as his first professional season moves along).      

Tommy Joseph (C/DH 20 y.o.) 81 games, .246/.289/.697 18 2B 10 HR 48 RBI (Young second round pick out of high school is hitting .316 with 4 HR over his last 10 games). 

Craig Westcott (SP 25 y.o.) 10-1 | 3.16 ERA, 91 IP 91 H 32 ER 17 BB 56 K (2009 draftee has pitched as high as AA in the past.  Despite benefiting from a superior San Jose offense, he’s putting up a respectable season). 

Zack Wheeler (SP 21 y.o.) 6-4 | 3.76 ERA, 76.2 IP 58 H 32 ER 45 BB 88 K (2009 first round selection has struggled with his control of late – 39 BB in 55 IP – but has posted impressive strikeout numbers in a hitter-friendly league). 

Mitch Lively (RP 25 y.o.)  2-3 | 1.62 ERA | 7 SV, 44.1 IP 32 H 8 ER 16 BB 49 K (Former 2007 Colorado draft selection deserves mention for posting solid numbers in a league that eats up relief pitchers.  Maybe he needs a promotion?)   

Michael Main (SP 22 y.o.) 2-1 | 2.52 ERA, 25 IP 21 H 7 ER 14 BB 24 K (Former first round selection by Texas came over in the Bengie Molina deal). 


                         Zack Wheeler

Richmond Flying Squirrels | AA Eastern League | 47-41

Francisco Peguero (CF 23 y.o.) 18 games, .318/.338/.838 3 HR 12 RBI 3 SB (Started the season on the DL and has now played 34 games total including San Jose.  He’s hitting a combined .321/.363/.833 at both levels). 

Chris Dominguez (3B 24 y.o.) 24 games, .318/.347/.870 10 2B 2 HR 21 RBI (Dominguez has been one of Richmond’s best hitters since being called up from San Jose.  He’s got 13 total home runs on the season, and is showing great improvements at the plate this season).    
Roger Kieschnick (RF 24 y.o.)  86 games, .263/.314/.728 15 2B 3 3B 9 HR 45 RBI 10 SB (Was drafted in the 3rd round in 2008, and finally seems to be settling in during his second year at AA.  Needs to improve his OBP, however.) 

Eric Surkamp (SP 24 y.o.) 7-3 | 1.78 ERA, 96.1 IP 77 H 19 ER 30 BB 114 K (Surkamp, a lefty, was drafted in the 6th round of 2008 and has been quietly one of the best pitchers in the system since that time.  He’s got the best numbers of any minor league starting pitcher for the Giants this season, and could be a popular name requested on the trading block if the Giants look to acquire a bat.)  
Henry Sosa (P 25 y.o.)  5-1 | 2.38 ERA, 34 IP 33 H 9 ER 8 BB 30 K (Once a promising prospect from the DR, Sosa was knocked around in a relief role at AAA earlier in the season, but has bounced back since being demoted to Richmond, where he is once again starting games.)

Heath Hembree (P 22 y.o.) 2.70 ERA | 5 SV, 6.2 IP 2 H 2 ER 5 BB 12 K (5th round pick in 2010 has earned 26 saves and a 1.15 ERA between stops at San Jose and Richmond.  In 31 IP, he’s struck out 56 batters.  Impressive pitcher who could be trade bait.)


                           Eric Surkamp

Fresno Grizzlies | AAA Pacific Coast League | 39-52

Hector Sanchez (C 21 y.o.) 24 games, .321/.386/.771, 0 HR 12 RBI (Promoted to Fresno after 42 games with San Jose, where he hit 8 HR.  OBP has risen at Fresno while power has dipped, but he is young and has never been a big power guy.  Built like Pablo Sandoval behind the plate.)
Brandon Belt (1B/LF 23 y.o.) 38 games, .320/.450/.978 8 2B 6 HR 27 RBI (Rehabbing a fractured wrist he suffered after his second big league stint.  It will be interesting to see how the Giants use him during the second half.  Great OBP.)

Brett Pill (1B/2B 26 y.o.) 87 games, .308/.341/.880, 27 2B 3 3B 16 HR 60 RBI 4 SB (Pill has posted solid numbers throughout his time in the organization, but it seems that his path to San Francisco is blocked by other players.  Having an impressive season, however.)
Justin Christian (LF 31 y.o.)  11 games, .308/.3451/1.092, 3 HR 10 RBI 9 SB (Has seen a power surge in the hitter-driven PCL after playing first 73 games in the pitcher-friendly AA Eastern League.  A journeyman at this point who shows great speed.)

Max Ramirez (C/DH 26 y.o.)  14 games, .409/.435/1.230, 6 2B 3 HR 11 RBI (Journeyman catcher has played for three different teams in the PCL this season, at has scorched the ball in his short time with Fresno.  Could be a possible call-up if the Giants are unable to upgrade at catcher.)
Dan Otero (P 26 y.o.) 2-1 | 0.75 ERA | 3 SV, 12 IP 7 H 1 ER 3 BB 15 K (Possible future closer?  Shows great control and could be trade bait.  Posted a 1.23 ERA in 38 innings at Richmond this season.)

Dan Runzler (P 26 y.o.) 1-1 | 3.57 ERA, 22.2 IP 20 H 9 ER 18 BB 25 K (Has started 5 games at Fresno since his demotion from the majors, but is now working out of the bullpen again.  Needs to fix his control issues.)

                       Brandon Belt

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