Saltzman Says...Buster Posey Out The Season

Buster Posey is out the season.  We all know that now.

The Giants are going with Eli Whiteside in the short term, primarily because he is a good defensive catcher and calls a good game, and the complete lack of options available in trade.

Bengi Molina, who is not in game shape and was already denied an offer by Boston, would take at least a month to get to a place where he can play physically.  Even if he did, Whiteside is as good an option as Molina at this stage of their careers.

Ivan Rodriguez is the best option in trade, in theory, but Washington wants way too much in return.  Mostly because they feel Rodriguez gives them a great veteran leader for their young players to learn from.  Even if that doesn't mean wins this year, it could mean more wins down the line with a healthy Ryan Zimmerman and Jayson Werth playing like his contract.

The only offensive options in the minors both currently play in San Jose, and neither Hector Sanchez or Tommy Joseph are ready for the big leagues.  Sanchez should get promoted first of the two, and could be in Fresno by the end of the season, but either way, Posey will be ready for next year if all goes well.

Both doctors, trainers, and Posey himself have claimed he will be ready for Spring Training in 2012.

Saltzman Says...San Jose Giants might be mighty

The San Jose Giants are becoming a dynasty, or at least a perennial power in the California League.  They are back to back Champions of the California League.  They have sent players such as Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, Buster Posey, Madison Bumgarner, Nate Schierholtz, Travis Ishikawa, Dan Runzler, and Sergio Romo to the big leagues.  Since the Giants brought in a new ownership group, they have spent time and money on improving their minor league system.  They have spent money on improving the stadium facilities, they have spent more money on scouting in the Dominican Republic, and even bought a stake of the San Jose franchise.

Fast forward to 2011, and the Giants will be sending some of their most promising prospects to San Jose.  In particular, they are sending the two most lethal bats in their system.  With all respect to Brandon Belt and Thomas Neal who are more polished and better overall, nobody is more intimidating in the minors than Tommy Joseph and Chris Dominguez.  Both have "Light Tower Power" and both are capable of being big thumpers in the majors someday.  Obviously they have their deficiencies.  Neither is a perfect fit on defense, and that might hurt them more as they move up the system.  However, with those two bats in the middle of the lineup in San Jose, there might not be the need for amazing defense.  Ultimately, defense will send them to San Francisco, or they will forever be pinch hitters/designated hitters during their career.

When the Giants Come to Town Says...Top 50 Prospects: 2011 Edition

Saturday, January 15, 2011

Down on the Farm: DrB's 2011 Giants Top 50 Prospects

OK team, it's that time of year again to reveal DrB's 2011 Giants Top 50 Prospects. We've been doing this since about 2003 and a lot of people really seem to appreciate it. We'll post the list here along with Honorable Mentions and "Dominican Dandies" and then give a short scouting report on each one leading up to the start of the season. In researching the list, I am struck by how much younger, deeper and more athletic the Giants farm system is than just a few years ago. You will find that the Honorable Mention list is quite lengthy with quite a few names that you might think should be in the Top 50! One area of mild concern is the relative lack of strong pitching prospects in the upper minors. Luckily, the strength and relative youth of the Giants pitching at the MLB level gives them some time to correct this imbalance. As always, this list and the scouting reports to come are just one fan's opinion. As always, please don't get too hung up on the exact order. The most important part of the exercise is getting to know some of the players the Giants have in their farm system. On with the list!

1. Brandon Belt, 1B/OF.
2. Zack Wheeler, RHP.
3. Thomas Neal, OF.
4. Gary Brown, OF.
5. Francisco Peguero, OF
6. Dan Runzler, LHP.
7. Chuckie Jones, OF.
8. Ehire Adrianza, SS.
9. Brandon Crawford, SS.
10. Charlie Culberson, 2B.
11. Jarrett Parker, OF.
12. Conor Gillaspie, 3B.
13. Tommy Joseph, C.
14. Rafael Rodriguez, OF.
15. Nick Noonan, 2B.
16. Seth Rosin, RHP.
17. Mike Kickham, LHP.
18. Kendry Flores, RHP.
19. Heath Hembree, RHP.
20. Jose Casilla, RHP.
21. Ryan Verdugo, LHP.
22. Steve Edlefsen, RHP.
23. Johnny Monell, C.
24. Chris Dominguez, 3B.
25. Carlos Willoughby, 2B.
26. Jose Valdez, RHP.
27. Jorge Bucardo, RHP.
28. Jacob Dunnington, RHP.
29. Jake Dunning, RHP.
30. Hector Sanchez, C.
31. Carter Jurica, SS.
32. Dan Burkhart, C.
33. Reiner Roibal, RHP.
34. Matthew Graham, RHP.
35. Brandon Allen, RHP.
36. Roger Kieschnick, OF.
37. Clayton Tanner, LHP.
38. Craig Westcott, RHP.
39. Eric Surkamp, LHP.
40. Jason Stoffel, RHP.
41. Ryan Cavan, 2B.
42. Chris Lofton, OF.
43. Edwin Escobar, LHP.
44. Austin Fleet, RHP.
45. Wendell Fairley, OF.
46. Leonardo Fuentes, OF.
47. Marvin Barrios, RHP.
48. Juan Perez, OF.
49. Caleb Hougheson, 3B
50. Tyler Graham, OF.

Honorable Mention: Ryan Rohlinger IF, Brock Bond 2B, Jackson Williams C, Mike McBryde OF/RHP?, Darren Ford OF, Henry Sosa RHP, Waldis Joaquin RHP, Matt Yourkin LHP, David Mixon RHP, Wilmin Rodriguez LHP, David Quinowski LHP, Michael Main RHP, Drew Biery 3B, Michael Sandoval 1B, James Simmons OF, Justin Fitzgerald RHP, Kelvin Marte LHP, Ari Ronick LHP, Aaron King LHP, Nick Liles OF, Luke Anders 1B, Ydwin Villegas SS, Christopher Heston RHP, Brian Irving RHP, Jeremy Toole RHP, Andy Reichard RHP, Craig Whitaker RHP, Chris Gloor LHP, Chris Wilson RHP, Jason Jarvis RHP, Ryan Scoma OF, Devin Harris OF, Edward Concepcion RHP, Shawn Sanford RHP, Stephen Shakleford RHP, Carlton Salters OF, Joe Staley OF, Ryan Bean RHP, Jose De La Cruz OF, Sundrendy Windster 1B, Wes Hobson 2B.

"Dominican Dandies": Fernando Pujadas C, Christian Paulino 3B, Jesus Galindo OF, Shurendell Mujica SS, Luis Angeles RHP, Joan Gregorio RHP, Ariel Hernandez RHP.

Saltzman Says: Top 25 Prospects (San Francisco Giants)

2011 Top 25 Prospects (2010 Rankings):
1. (NR) Brandon Belt
2. (3) Zack Wheeler
3. (4) Thomas Neal
4. (20) Chris Dominguez
5. (5) Rafael Rodriguez
6. (19) Ehire Adrianza
7. (23) Jose Casilla
8. (40) Charlie Culberson
9. (8) Tommy Joseph
10. (10) Francisco Peguero
11. (6) Brandon Crawford
12. (27) Steve Edelfsen
13. (17) Darren Ford 
14. (16) Clayton Tanner
15. (7) Roger Kieschnick
16. (9) Nick Noonan
17. (11) Hector Sanchez
18. (12) Edward Concepcion
19. (15) Jason Stoffel
20. (18) Conor Gillaspie
21. (22) Henry Sosa
22. (29) Joe Paterson
23. (30) Brock Bond
24. (36) Eric Surkamp
25. (39) Wendell Fairley