Quick Look
San Francisco was competitive at the major league level in 2009, mostly thanks to its farm system (which developed Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, Pablo Sandoval, and others). The Giants have some of the best minor league talent in the game now, but they still haven't overcome their inability to develop hitters. We'll see if the next wave of prospects (including bats such as Buster Posey and Thomas Neal) can inject some thump into San Fran's punchless lineup and get them back to the playoffs. In any case, they are a team on the rise.
While I'm on the Giants, it's a good time to check out some Tim Lincecum photos. Here he is with short hair after he was drafted, and here he is now. Hey, nobody's arguing with the two Cy Young awards.
Top Prospects
Buster Posey, c
Age: 22 Level: MLB
After a .463/.566/.879 junior season at Florida State, Posey was the 5th overall pick in the 2008 draft. He further boosted his stock with an excellent 2009 campaign, which culminated in a September call-up. Posey shows an outstanding feel for hitting and mastery of the strike zone. Though he lacks big-time power and struggled in the Arizona Fall League, his advanced approach and innate contact ability will make him one of the top offensive catchers in the game in his prime. Posey, a former shortstop, is also athletic and has an above-average arm. The last piece of Posey's game that needs polish is his receiving. His skills behind the plate are fairly raw and he commits too many passed balls. With more reps, though, I think the 6-1, 205-pounder will be a plus defender. He was a benchwarmer last September, but if San Francisco doesn't sign a free agent to replace Bengie Molina, Posey will be handed the big league job this year. He might merely hold his own this year while adjusting to everyday duties at the highest level, but within a few years I expect Posey's on-base skills, defensive potential, and strong makeup to translate into annual All-Star appearances.
Madison Bumgarner, lhp
Age: 20 Level: MLB
Bumgarner is a unique prospect who elicits a variety of opinions. I'm in the camp who isn't sold on the 6-4, 215-pound lefty. Bumgarner went 10th overall in 2007 and has been absolutely dismantling minor league opponents ever since (273 IP, 23.9 K%, 5.1 BB%, 2.37 FIP). He made his major league debut at age 20. The North Carolina native fearlessly attacks batters with his fastball, a pitch he commands to all quadrants of the zone. After showing low- to mid-90s velocity in the past, however, Bumgarner dipped to around 88-90 mph in the second half of 2009. With a fringy slider and below-average changeup, it is imperative that Bumgarner regains his plus-plus fastball. His sweeping arm action adds deception but doesn't seem conducive to a good breaking ball. His athleticism and competitiveness are assets. A potential frontline starter or middling reliever, Bumgarner will likely head back to the minors to improve his secondary pitches and find his heat again.
Bumgarner is a unique prospect who elicits a variety of opinions. I'm in the camp who isn't sold on the 6-4, 215-pound lefty. Bumgarner went 10th overall in 2007 and has been absolutely dismantling minor league opponents ever since (273 IP, 23.9 K%, 5.1 BB%, 2.37 FIP). He made his major league debut at age 20. The North Carolina native fearlessly attacks batters with his fastball, a pitch he commands to all quadrants of the zone. After showing low- to mid-90s velocity in the past, however, Bumgarner dipped to around 88-90 mph in the second half of 2009. With a fringy slider and below-average changeup, it is imperative that Bumgarner regains his plus-plus fastball. His sweeping arm action adds deception but doesn't seem conducive to a good breaking ball. His athleticism and competitiveness are assets. A potential frontline starter or middling reliever, Bumgarner will likely head back to the minors to improve his secondary pitches and find his heat again.
Zack Wheeler, rhp
Age: 19 Level: none-Low A
A Georgia native, Wheeler was selected 6th overall in the 2009 draft. He has yet to begin his pro career, but Wheeler's huge upside is evident. The 6-3, 180-pounder is lanky and projectable, and his fastball already sits in the low-90s and creeps into the mid-90s. His sharp curveball flashes potential, as does his changeup. Like most prepsters, Wheeler is unproven and needs to hone his changeup and command. He will be in the South Atlantic League for the upcoming season.
A Georgia native, Wheeler was selected 6th overall in the 2009 draft. He has yet to begin his pro career, but Wheeler's huge upside is evident. The 6-3, 180-pounder is lanky and projectable, and his fastball already sits in the low-90s and creeps into the mid-90s. His sharp curveball flashes potential, as does his changeup. Like most prepsters, Wheeler is unproven and needs to hone his changeup and command. He will be in the South Atlantic League for the upcoming season.
Thomas Neal, of/1B
Age: 22 Level: High A-Triple-A
A shoulder injury in 2007 slowed Neal's development, but he returned to the outfield with a vengeance in 2009. The 6-1, 205-pounder hit .337/.431/.579 (arguably Cal League-inflated, but still impressive). Neal, a plus power hitter, improved his approach (17.5 K% and 11.6 BB% compared to pre-2009 rates of 21.1% and 8.2%, respectively) and became a more complete hitter. If his progression continues as planned, he could be a slugging #5 hitter in the Giants' lineup. Neal is also multi-dimensional, with a pretty good arm and solid defense. A below-average runner limited to an outfield corner or first base, though, he will be counted on to produce. Slated to play in the upper minors in 2010, his ETA is 2011.
A shoulder injury in 2007 slowed Neal's development, but he returned to the outfield with a vengeance in 2009. The 6-1, 205-pounder hit .337/.431/.579 (arguably Cal League-inflated, but still impressive). Neal, a plus power hitter, improved his approach (17.5 K% and 11.6 BB% compared to pre-2009 rates of 21.1% and 8.2%, respectively) and became a more complete hitter. If his progression continues as planned, he could be a slugging #5 hitter in the Giants' lineup. Neal is also multi-dimensional, with a pretty good arm and solid defense. A below-average runner limited to an outfield corner or first base, though, he will be counted on to produce. Slated to play in the upper minors in 2010, his ETA is 2011.
Tommy Joseph, c
Age: 18 Level: none-Low A
Joseph rose on draft boards last spring as he moved behind the plate for his senior season. The Scottsdale product ended up getting picked in the 2nd round. Joseph has enormous power stemming from his natural strength. His forceful righthanded swing is geared for home runs, but most believe he's more than a slugger with no contact skills. Defensively, the hefty Joseph is below-average. His strong arm makes developing him as a catcher worthwhile, but he may face an eventual move to first base (especially with Buster Posey ahead of him) a la Paul Konerko and Carlos Delgado. Joseph will be intriguing to keep an eye on in his first pro season.
Joseph rose on draft boards last spring as he moved behind the plate for his senior season. The Scottsdale product ended up getting picked in the 2nd round. Joseph has enormous power stemming from his natural strength. His forceful righthanded swing is geared for home runs, but most believe he's more than a slugger with no contact skills. Defensively, the hefty Joseph is below-average. His strong arm makes developing him as a catcher worthwhile, but he may face an eventual move to first base (especially with Buster Posey ahead of him) a la Paul Konerko and Carlos Delgado. Joseph will be intriguing to keep an eye on in his first pro season.
Dan Runzler, lhp
Age: 23 Level: MLB
Runzler had one of the best 2009 seasons of any pitcher, dominating at every rung from Low A to the MLB. In total, he compiled a mind-boggling 35.9 K% and a sub-1.00 RA. The 2007 draftee from UC Riverside has high-octane stuff (mid-90s fastball and hard curve) that plays well in the back of the bullpen. His command still needs work, but Runzler's 2009 performance ensures a major league spot for 2010.
Runzler had one of the best 2009 seasons of any pitcher, dominating at every rung from Low A to the MLB. In total, he compiled a mind-boggling 35.9 K% and a sub-1.00 RA. The 2007 draftee from UC Riverside has high-octane stuff (mid-90s fastball and hard curve) that plays well in the back of the bullpen. His command still needs work, but Runzler's 2009 performance ensures a major league spot for 2010.
Roger Kieschnick, of
Age: 22 Level: High A-Double-A
A big, strong lefthanded hitter, Kieschnick drives balls with authority to all fields (.236 IsoP). The 6-3, 215-pounder also moves well for his size, has the throwing arm to fit a corner outfield position, and always plays with 100% aggressiveness. Kieschnick's long swing and poor approach, however, make it difficult for him to control the strike zone. He racked up a 23.1 K% in 2009 to go along with just a 6.4 BB%. The Texas Tech product will have to prove he has enough contact and on-base skills to maintain his production against higher-level pitching. Similar to current Giants outfielder Nate Schierholtz in some ways, Kieschnick will move up to Double-A this season.
Age: 22 Level: High A-Double-A
A big, strong lefthanded hitter, Kieschnick drives balls with authority to all fields (.236 IsoP). The 6-3, 215-pounder also moves well for his size, has the throwing arm to fit a corner outfield position, and always plays with 100% aggressiveness. Kieschnick's long swing and poor approach, however, make it difficult for him to control the strike zone. He racked up a 23.1 K% in 2009 to go along with just a 6.4 BB%. The Texas Tech product will have to prove he has enough contact and on-base skills to maintain his production against higher-level pitching. Similar to current Giants outfielder Nate Schierholtz in some ways, Kieschnick will move up to Double-A this season.
Joe Martinez, rhp
Age: 26 Level: MLB
More of a steady, finesse-type pitcher than a headline-grabbing flamethrower, Martinez lacks premium upside. The Boston College product pitched 30 innings in the majors in 2009, however, and has a very high floor. Martinez backs up his 90 mph fastball with a good, low-80s curveball and a decent changeup. He is durable and throws strikes at will. Soon to be 27, he is about maxed out, but could fit into a back-end starter role.
Age: 26 Level: MLB
More of a steady, finesse-type pitcher than a headline-grabbing flamethrower, Martinez lacks premium upside. The Boston College product pitched 30 innings in the majors in 2009, however, and has a very high floor. Martinez backs up his 90 mph fastball with a good, low-80s curveball and a decent changeup. He is durable and throws strikes at will. Soon to be 27, he is about maxed out, but could fit into a back-end starter role.
Waldis Joaquin, rhp
Age: 23 Level: MLB
Joaquin lacks command and control, but his live arm gives him the potential to be an impressive relief option. When he's on, the 6-2, 235-pounder throws a mid-90s fastball (that touches 98 mph) and a vicious slider. Nonetheless, his career walk rate is 10.2%, as the Dominican Republic native struggles to find the zone sometimes. Joaquin needs his results to catch up with his stuff, and he should get the chance to do that with an extended look in San Francisco's bullpen in 2010.
Age: 23 Level: MLB
Joaquin lacks command and control, but his live arm gives him the potential to be an impressive relief option. When he's on, the 6-2, 235-pounder throws a mid-90s fastball (that touches 98 mph) and a vicious slider. Nonetheless, his career walk rate is 10.2%, as the Dominican Republic native struggles to find the zone sometimes. Joaquin needs his results to catch up with his stuff, and he should get the chance to do that with an extended look in San Francisco's bullpen in 2010.
Francisco Peguero, of
Age: 21 Level: Low A-Double-A
Exciting and energetic, Peguero shows the potential to be a top-of-the-rotation sparkplug. The 6-0, 175-pound Dominican hit .353/.373/.443 in 2009 (split between Short-Season and Low A). Peguero has good speed and a strong arm in center field. He plays with flair. There are some major red flags with Peguero, however. His numbers were boosted by a BABIP over .400, he lacks the power to drive the ball, and he is chronically allergic to walks (2.4 BB%). He's an interesting follow, but Peguero has significant work to do with his patience and power.
Exciting and energetic, Peguero shows the potential to be a top-of-the-rotation sparkplug. The 6-0, 175-pound Dominican hit .353/.373/.443 in 2009 (split between Short-Season and Low A). Peguero has good speed and a strong arm in center field. He plays with flair. There are some major red flags with Peguero, however. His numbers were boosted by a BABIP over .400, he lacks the power to drive the ball, and he is chronically allergic to walks (2.4 BB%). He's an interesting follow, but Peguero has significant work to do with his patience and power.
Others: RHPs Matt Graham and Kevin Pucetas; SSs Brandon Crawford and Ehire Adrianza; LHP Clayton Tanner; 3Bs Jesus Guzman, Conor Gillaspie, and Matt Downs; 2B Nick Noonan; OFs Mike McBryde, Darren Ford, and Rafael Rodriguez
Impact Talent: A-
Farm System Depth: B-
2010 Breakout Prospect
Jason Stoffel, rhp
Age: 21 Level: Short-Season-Double-A
The 2008 Arizona Wildcats featured two fireballers (RHP Ryan Perry and LHP Daniel Schlereth) who were drafted in the 1st round that year. It was Stoffel (a sophomore), though, who was the team's closer. The 6-2, 220-pounder had an up-and-down junior season and only went in the 4th round, but he's a legitimate bounceback candidate. Stoffel's fastball parks in the low- to mid-90s and his slider flashes excellent bite. He goes after batters and could a fill a late-inning role in the MLB if he reverts to top form. Stoffel will rise quickly.
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