2012 Top Prospects

[ColinCoby]

This list takes long enough to figure out already so I'll break it into 3 parts. Hitters, pitchers and top 10 prospects. The third part will be determined after debate and discussion.

Part 1- Hitters. I broke each position into a top 5 list, with the exception of OF where I included the top 10 prospects. Please provide input, for this is why it is here, to get everyone in tune with the minor leaguers. Here we go:


Top 5 Catchers: (strong)
1: Tommy Joseph
2: Andrew Susac
3: Hector Sanchez
4: Alex Burg
5: Joseph Staley

Probably our strongest position, and one to boast among the whole league. 2 potentially in the top 100. Staley is a sleeper, Burg had a big year with the bat out of nowhere. Though also one of the strongest positions at the ML level (Posey)


Top 5 1st basemen: (above average)
1: Ricky Oropesa
2: Angel Villalona
3: Ben Thomas
4: Brett Pill
5: Luke Anders

Villalona returning really helps the depth here. Oropesa will instantly have some of the best raw power in our system. Thomas another big bat, though very raw. Top heavy, but 2 potential 30+ hitters here. Again, depth at the ML level (Belt)


Top 5 2nd basemen: (weak)
1: Charlie Culberson
2: Ryan Cavan
3: Carlos Willoughby
4: Nick Noonan
5: Brock Bond

Culberson had an awful year after a big 2010, only reason he’s still no. 1 is because this is such a weak position. Cavan has a decent bat, but struggled in the second half. Willoughby has a chance to be good if he hits a little more. He had a great 1st half (.269 avg, almost a 1:1 K/BB ratio, lots of steals) but was downright atrocious in the second half. If Panik moves to second, it lifts this position a bit. We are set through 2012 at this position with Sanchez.


Top 5 3rd basemen: (average)
1: Chris Dominguez
2: Adam Duvall
3: Conor Gillaspie
4: Jose Cuevas
5: Steven Yarrow

Interesting position here. On one hand, you have big power hitters like Dominguez and Duvall and on the other you have a contact hitter like Gillaspie. Dominguez held his own in a pitchers league and looks to have legit power. Duvall quietly had a very nice season in low-A. Good power, takes the walk just needs to improve on the intangibles. Gillaspie made big strides this year with the bat and glove, even added some pop. Cuevas is young but had a very good year. Sleeper prospect in my book. ML position set with Sandoval.


Top 5 SS: (above average)
1: Joseph Panik
2: Ehire Adrianza
3: Sharlon Schoop
4: Kelby Tomlinson
5: Jean Delgado

Panik has the makings to be the next Jeter, though Freddy Sanchez with more speed is a better comp at this point. Kid tore up Salem this year, should start in San Jose and on the fast track. Adrinaza had a very nice year batting around .300 after recovering from injury. If he can learn to hit, he’s got the defense to give him a very long career. Schoop no more than a utility player. ML position has a question mark with Crawford.


Top 5 OF: (average-raw)
1: Gary Brown
2: Francisco Puegero
3: Chuckie Jones
4: Jarrett Parker
5: Rafael Rodriguez
6: Jesus Galindo
7: Roger Kieschnick
8: Chris Lofton
9: Leonardo Fuentes
10: Michael Mergenthaler

This is a very raw bunch of prospects, but loads of potential. 3 “five-toolers” (Peguero, Jones, Rodriguez), the best speed is here (Brown, Galindo, Lofton), our top prospect is also here (Brown). But overall, it not flooding with ML ready talent (Brown and Peguero being closest). This happens to be our weakest position at the ML level as well, unfortunately. The potential is certainly there though. Watch out for Jones, Parker and Galindo. Also, those 9/10 guys will be playing their first ML seasons and have just huge bodies, made for power.


Top 10 hitters overall:
1: Gary Brown
2: Joe Panik
3: Tommy Joseph
4: Andrew Susac
5: Francisco Peguero
6: Ehire Adrinanza
7: Rickey Oropresa
8: Chris Dominguez
9: Angel Villalona
10: Adam Duvall

Overall, a very solid list. Even with the promotions of Belt, Crawford and the departure of Neal, this is probably crop of hitters we’ve had in a long time. With our depth at 1B, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Belt moved to the OF permanently, or a trade.


Discuss...

Nice work. Rep.

 

[ColinCoby]

Decker was on KNBR yesterday (if he ever becomes the manager...man, press conferences would completely change. The guy has 100 times more energy than Boch).

He talked a little about Tyler Graham. 60 stolen bases on the year. Does he not hit enough to be a prospect? Too old?

 

[ColinCoby]

Decker also mentioned the team completely shattered the team's stolen bases record.

Graham .337 OBP 60 SBs

Christian .428 OBP 36 SBs

Burriss .386 OBP 24 SBs

Gonzalez .378 OBP 14 SBs


So that I don't hijack the thread...Do all of these guys make a contribution in 2012?

 

[calsnowskier]

Decker also mentioned the team completely shattered the team's stolen bases record.

Graham .337 OBP 60 SBs

Christian .428 OBP 36 SBs

Burriss .386 OBP 24 SBs

Gonzalez .378 OBP 14 SBs


So that I don't hijack the thread...Do all of these guys make a contribution in 2012?

I would not mind giving gonzo a looksee in '12. He was a decent contributor on the '10 Padre squad and he has the bloodlines.

I think Burriss takes over as the super util.

Assuming no FAPickups, I can see Christian and Graham given shots at the CF job in ST.

 

[SFGRTB]

Decker also mentioned the team completely shattered the team's stolen bases record.

Graham .337 OBP 60 SBs

Christian .428 OBP 36 SBs

Burriss .386 OBP 24 SBs

Gonzalez .378 OBP 14 SBs


So that I don't hijack the thread...Do all of these guys make a contribution in 2012?

Burriss, if healthy, will have a spot on the bench assuming Fontenot is DFA'd. The other 3, doubtful. Though Graham or Christian may get a shot at the CF job.

 

[SFGRTB]

Part 2: The Pitchers

Giants are lacking in pitching depth for the first time in awhile, especially with the promotion of Surkamp. They've got a few impact relievers, but no starter in near sight. Here are the top 10 pitchers:

1: Heath Hembree
2: Jacob Dunnington
3: Brett Bochy
4: Seth Rosin
5: Chris Heston
6: Hector Correa
7: Kyle Crick Scouting Report here
8: Ryan Verdugo
9: Cody Hall
10: Chris Gloor

Hembree really the only blue chipper, possibly in the Pen by next year and could replace Wilson soon after. Of note, no one on this list pitched in AAA.

 

[tzill]

Part 2: The Pitchers

Giants are lacking in pitching depth for the first time in awhile, especially with the promotion of Surkamp. They've got a few impact relievers, but no starter in near sight. Here are the top 10 pitchers:

1: Heath Hembree
2: Jacob Dunnington
3: Brett Bochy
4: Seth Rosin
5: Chris Heston
6: Hector Correa
7: Kyle Crick Scouting Report here
8: Ryan Verdugo
9: Cody Hall
10: Chris Gloor

Hembree really the only blue chipper, possibly in the Pen by next year and could replace Wilson soon after. Of note, no one on this list pitched in AAA.

Interesting list. I'd have Fitzgerald and Stevenson in there somewhere. Maybe Westcott.

 

[calsnowskier]

Interesting list. I'd have Fitzgerald and Stevenson in there somewhere. Maybe Westcott.

I think maybe Arnold should be on the list. But the fact that he gets mentioned proves the point that we are thin on pitching in the system.

Maybe put Main there? He has been FAR from productive, but he does still have a decent ceiling.

Latin Dandies are VERY hard to judge, but we do have a couple decent arms in the low minors that need to be kept in mind as well... Mejia and De Jesus.

 

[calsnowskier]

Part 2: The Pitchers

Giants are lacking in pitching depth for the first time in awhile, especially with the promotion of Surkamp. They've got a few impact relievers, but no starter in near sight. Here are the top 10 pitchers:

1: Heath Hembree
2: Jacob Dunnington
3: Brett Bochy
4: Seth Rosin
5: Chris Heston
6: Hector Correa
7: Kyle Crick Scouting Report here
8: Ryan Verdugo
9: Cody Hall
10: Chris Gloor

Hembree really the only blue chipper, possibly in the Pen by next year and could replace Wilson soon after. Of note, no one on this list pitched in AAA.

This is the first I have seen anyone say anything about Hall. Is there any reason you included him? (not challenging, just asking)

 

[SFGRTB]

This is the first I have seen anyone say anything about Hall. Is there any reason you included him? (not challenging, just asking)

He's big (6'4'', 220 lbs), he's a former college arm and he had big strikeout numbers. IDK his numbers just popped out at me, our pitching corp is so thin that towards the bottom I just started looking at stats and age.

 

[SFGRTB]

Interesting list. I'd have Fitzgerald and Stevenson in there somewhere. Maybe Westcott.

Fitzgerald and Westcott are close, like 11 and 12. Enlighten me about Stevenson.

 

[calsnowskier]

Although they are not the same as the last big 4 we had (Bum, Posey, Alderson, AnVil), we do have another batch of 4 probable top 100 prospects (Brown, Hembree, Joseph, Panik).

Unfortunately, while the former list were all top 50 guys, I am not sure any of the latter crop will crack the top 50 except Brown (probably top 30-ish).

 

[Stokes1931]

Giants welcome three draftees for visit | SFGiants.com: News

 

[tzill]

Giants welcome three draftees for visit | SFGiants.com: News

"I've always been a Giants and Niners fan," Susac said.

BRING ME SUSAC!!

 

[calsnowskier]

"I've always been a Giants and Niners fan," Susac said.

BRING ME SUSAC!!

Keep it in your pants, Jody Dallas...

 

[tzill]

Keep it in your pants, Jody Dallas...

Always saw myself as more of a Danny Dallas type.

I get to be Deputy, right Burt?

 

[calsnowskier]

Always saw myself as more of a Danny Dallas type.

I get to be Deputy, right Burt?

To be honest, with some of your posts, I to would classify you more as a Danny Dallas.

But your ManCrush is definitely in the Jody class...

 

[tzill]

To be honest, with some of your posts, I to would classify you more as a Danny Dallas

Hey, wait.....

 

[calsnowskier]

Hey, wait.....

Confused?

You won't be after this post...

 

[SFGRTB]

I was thinking about the rule V draft and it crossed my mind that will Villalona have to be protected this year? The rule is "a player signed age 18 or younger and has been in the organization for 5 years". This is his 5th year. So he is eligible right? Or was his 2010-2011 seasons not counted?

If so, he will have to be added to the 40 man, which could actually be beneficial to him. Hopefully he progresses faster.