BP's Top 11 Giants Prospects
Five-Star Prospects
1. Angel Villalona, 3B/1B
Four-Star Prospects
2. Henry Sosa, RHP
Three-Star Prospects
- Tim Alderson, RHP
- Madison Bumgarner, RHP
- Wendell Fairly, OF
- Nick Noonan, SS/2B
- Nate Schierholtz, OF
- John Bowker, OF
- Pablo Sandoval, C
- Clayton Tanner, LHP
- Charlie Culberson, SS/2B
This FanPost is reader-generated, and it does not necessarily reflect the views of McCovey Chronicles. If the author uses filler to achieve the minimum word requirement, a moderator may edit the FanPost for his or her own amusement.
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Re: BP's Top 11 Giants Prospects
I love the Sosa ranking. I wish Tanner was bumped into the 3-star rating, but I understand he's young, doesn't have crazy velocity, or overpowering stuff. He's a way off but he's one of my favorite lower-pitching prospects.
by xanthan on Feb 25, 2008 10:03 AM PST 0 recs
Re: BP's Top 11 Giants Prospects
by xanthan on
Feb 25, 2008 10:06 AM PST
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Re: BP's Top 11 Giants Prospects
by Chulk on
Feb 25, 2008 10:23 AM PST
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Re: BP's Top 11 Giants Prospects
Cynicism is for the big club, only. ONLY!
by nick on
Feb 25, 2008 10:40 AM PST
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Re: BP's Top 11 Giants Prospects
by NeifiChicken on Feb 25, 2008 10:21 AM PST 0 recs
Re: BP's Top 11 Giants Prospects
by jponry on
Feb 25, 2008 10:26 AM PST
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Re: BP's Top 11 Giants Prospects
by xanthan on
Feb 25, 2008 10:28 AM PST
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Re: BP's Top 11 Giants Prospects
by obsessivegiantscompulsive on
Feb 26, 2008 4:42 PM PST
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BA Scouting Reports
Bumgarner: Fastball works at 92-94 mph and hits 97 on occasion.
by DrBGiantsfan on
Feb 27, 2008 7:03 AM PST
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Addendum
by DrBGiantsfan on
Feb 27, 2008 7:04 AM PST
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Do mine eyes deceive me?
Succumb to the Enchanted t-shirt! Adopted dad of Minor Izzy
by hairball on Feb 25, 2008 10:28 AM PST 0 recs
Re: Do mine eyes deceive me?
by howtheyscored on
Feb 25, 2008 10:50 AM PST
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Re: Do mine eyes deceive me?
by sectionop92 on
Feb 25, 2008 7:29 PM PST
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D'Alessio
by Lyle on
Feb 26, 2008 6:07 AM PST
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Re: BP's Top 11 Giants Prospects
- Velez
- Noonan
- Fairley (lets say he develops the power)
- Villalona
- Rowand
- Schierholtz
by OrangeJesus on Feb 25, 2008 10:43 AM PST 0 recs
Re: BP's Top 11 Giants Prospects
I was also disappointed that Jackson Williams wasn't on the list at all, given that he was drafted ahead of Charles Culberson and that the Giants could have taken outfield prospect Kyle Russell (who has remained unsigned) instead.
I was also a bit surprised that an observer as sharp as I believe Kevin Goldstein to be rated Manny Burriss and particularly Eugenio Velez as barely missing the top 10.
That he had Nate Schierholtz ranked only 7th I thought was appropriate given what I believe to be a fairly low ceiling for Nate. I was encouraged, however, that Nate said his top priority this winter was having the discipline to get more pitches to drive. If he is highly successful in that endeavor, I feel it could raise his ceiling by a substantial amount.
And I guess the most encouraging thing was that Goldstein felt Henry Sosa was deserving of a four-star rating. I don't think Henry was even ON Goldstein's list last year, was he?
by sharksrog on Feb 25, 2008 10:55 AM PST 0 recs
Re: BP's Top 11 Giants Prospects
by jasomack on
Feb 25, 2008 12:10 PM PST
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Re: BP's Top 11 Giants Prospects
by groug on
Feb 25, 2008 12:26 PM PST
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Re: BP's Top 11 Giants Prospects
There's some hidden power in Williams. He won't be a contact hitter, but if he can develop the power to go with the defense, that's a good catcher.
Give him a chance to play, then judge him.
by BruteSentiment on
Feb 25, 2008 12:31 PM PST
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Re: BP's Top 11 Giants Prospects
But when it comes to projecting players in rookie ball/ssA/A-, I might as well throw a dart against the wall because i don't know anything.
by groug on
Feb 25, 2008 12:37 PM PST
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Re: BP's Top 11 Giants Prospects
by RichH on
Feb 25, 2008 1:17 PM PST
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Adoption
by Lyle on
Feb 26, 2008 6:09 AM PST
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Re: Adoption
These are all the players that I've hosted during their time in SK.
by RichH on
Feb 26, 2008 8:15 AM PST
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Re: Adoption
Okay, so spill the beans. Who do you predict will eventually make the Giants, based on your observations. Who should we place our hopes on? We're looking for juicy inside stuff, veteran savviness, warrior spirit, late-night pizza parties, whatever. Whattayagot?
by Lyle on
Feb 26, 2008 9:21 AM PST
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Re: Adoption
Seriously though, Bocock is 1st on the field and last to leave. It's been mentioned before that if he gets his bat going he'll be a force to reckon with. He is the best shortstop I've seen come through here in quite some time. Schoop is not far behind and hit the ball hard last year. Burris is probably a better hitter with more speed but his defense doesn't measure up.
Behind the plate, Williams has a lot of potential but as I mentioned earlier he let a lot of balls get by. The pitchers last year were more comfortable with LaTorre behind the plate, even when Gunther was here for rehab.
Downs is the real deal. He really impressed me in that he could play anywhere and was successful. He flashed some brilliance with the glove. I would also keep an eye on Andrew Davis and Brock Bond. Both had + defensive skills, we'll have to see how they hit at the higher levels.
In the outfield, Baker was pretty solid and hit well too with a fair bit of power. Jordan has all the tools, the only knock being his size. He is not a power hitter and is only 5'7" but has a ton of range.
Good Dope?
Oh, and for the record, Timmy Franchise is a horrible dancer.
by RichH on
Feb 26, 2008 10:18 AM PST
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S-K assessment
Thanks again!!
by Lyle on
Feb 27, 2008 2:58 AM PST
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Re: BP's Top 11 Giants Prospects
What they don't realize is that most -- including said "statheads" -- believe that the combination of statistical analysis and scouting is better than either of them alone.
Then again, when one has to use a putdown name for someone or someones, that person is likely lacking in proper ammunition with which to argue his point and thus feels he needs to take the shotgun approach.
by sharksrog on
Feb 26, 2008 12:20 AM PST
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Re: BP's Top 11 Giants Prospects
by EliminateMe on
Feb 26, 2008 10:41 AM PST
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Re: BP's Top 11 Giants Prospects
Sabean thought differently.
The Giants passed on high school pitchers Rick Porcello and Matt Harvey, clients of high-profile agent Scott Boras. They were widely considered to be among the top 10 pitching prospects in the nation.
Sabean said the Giants simply didn't rate them as highly as the players they picked.
"Obviously if they were highly regarded by us, we'd have picked them," he said. "We looked at the talent first and the agent and the signability second."
http://www1.pressdemocrat.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070608/NEWS/706080408/1010/SPORT01
On a separate note, I really am starting to feel that Sosa is overrated...and I say that even recognizing how surprisingly high he ended up on SFDugout's list. He is doing it all with the fastball, but is still incredibly raw. He reminds me much more of a starting Felix Rodriguez than any other pitcher I've seen personally.
by BruteSentiment on
Feb 25, 2008 12:27 PM PST
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Re: BP's Top 11 Giants Prospects
by xanthan on
Feb 25, 2008 12:51 PM PST
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Re: BP's Top 11 Giants Prospects
I agree, the changeup will be the most important pitch for him, but to be a starter and a four-star prospect, he needs at least a third pitch AND a second plus pitch. I'm not sure I'd take an even-odds bet that he can develop that.
by BruteSentiment on
Feb 26, 2008 10:09 PM PST
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Re: BP's Top 11 Giants Prospects
by xanthan on
Feb 25, 2008 12:52 PM PST
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Re: BP's Top 11 Giants Prospects
You seeing value in Porcello is great and all but Sabean and company, who by the way have more experience than you, seem to think bumgardner and Alderson will be special. thanks for your opinion though.
by fanofvanlandingham on
Feb 25, 2008 1:59 PM PST
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Re: BP's Top 11 Giants Prospects
He didn't, though. He's just telling a little white lie in order to avoid having to say that the team was unwilling to buck the commissioner's bonus slots.
by Evan on
Feb 25, 2008 2:14 PM PST
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Re: BP's Top 11 Giants Prospects
by fanofvanlandingham on
Feb 25, 2008 3:46 PM PST
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Re: BP's Top 11 Giants Prospects
Yet another blow for advocates of experience over youth?
by Roger on
Feb 25, 2008 3:31 PM PST
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youth vs. experience
by Lyle on
Feb 26, 2008 6:12 AM PST
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Re: BP's Top 11 Giants Prospects
by groug on
Feb 25, 2008 3:34 PM PST
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On The Other Hand......
by DrBGiantsfan on
Feb 25, 2008 3:41 PM PST
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Re: On The Other Hand......
by fanofvanlandingham on
Feb 25, 2008 3:48 PM PST
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Re: On The Other Hand......
by Evan on
Feb 25, 2008 3:50 PM PST
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Out Of The Blue
by DrBGiantsfan on
Feb 25, 2008 4:28 PM PST
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Re: Out Of The Blue
The sandwich round that year was picks #31-41 so taking him at 25 is not that much of a stretch -- not nearly the surprise that Nate Schierholtz was, for instance, and it's certainly not like he was a Matt Bush or anything.
by Roger on
Feb 25, 2008 7:29 PM PST
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Re: Out Of The Blue
by Evan on
Feb 26, 2008 6:13 AM PST
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Re: Out Of The Blue
Porcello is just a high schooler, of course, so he probably won't pitch in the majors until at LEAST the end of 2009, but with many considering Porcello to be this year's version of Lincecum, can you imagine how impressive it would be to be looking at a future young rotation beginning with Cain, Lincecum and Porcello? It is possible the Giants could have had three legitimate Cy Young candidates each and every year for a decade.
To me, the Giants -- like most baseball teams -- show a discouraging lack of imagination and foresight.
Believe it or not, entering this year's draft, Porcello would have been ranked by most higher than Lincecum when Tim was entering the 2006 draft.
The good doctor made a good point about hoping that Brian Sabean is that lone voice that is right when all else are wrong. I certainly hope that is the case -- and I can remember having been there and done that all the way back in the eighth grade, when there were probably others smarter than I but none who was willing to stick his neck out.
But, really, how many times lately has Brian been right and we here at the McCovey Chronicles been wrong? I wish I needed to take off my shoes to count the times. I could almost do it with both hands taped to my sides.
by sharksrog on
Feb 27, 2008 8:56 PM PST
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Re: Out Of The Blue
You state that many observors think Porcello is this year's Tim Lincecum. Would you care to give us a link to who those observers are? You are doing a little bit of the straw man thing here, Shark. I agree that Rick Porcello was highly regarded in last year's draft, but I don't recall him being touted by everybody as being head and shoulders better than other guys like Bumgarner, Aumont, Beavan, Alderson, etc.
The Dodgers passed on him at #20. The Dodgers certainly could afford Porcello's bonus demands if they thought he was so much better than Chris Withrow. Are you prepared to argue that Logan White has a poor track record in the draft, or that Withrow is head and shoulders above Tim Alderson as a prospect?
There are tons of reasons out there to bang on Brian Sabean, but passing or Rick Porcello would seem to be one of the more trivial ones.
by DrBGiantsfan on
Feb 28, 2008 8:21 AM PST
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Re: Out Of The Blue
Without commenting on the likelihood of Bumgarner or Alderson's Cy Young chances at this point in their career, I do have to point out again that it's entirely possible that neither will ever be teammates of Cain's even if they do end up in SF's rotation.
by Roger on
Feb 28, 2008 1:51 PM PST
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Porcello=Beckett?
Of course, Alderson and Bumgarner may never be teammates of Cain. They could fail as prospects, Cain could be traded or injured. It certainly is possible that they will though. What a great thought!
by DrBGiantsfan on
Feb 28, 2008 2:16 PM PST
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Re: Porcello=Beckett?
Unlike you I don't believe this team has a chance of being competitive; I don't really believe they can compete for 4th place, and I fully expect them to get detroyed in-division games. That means if the organization doesn't improve itself dramatically before or during next year, we're at that magic two year mark and decisions will need ot be made as to how we go forward. Because a competitive guy like Matt who has spoken openly about wanting to be one of the game's greats, isn't going to want to stay in a place where he's only known losing.
by Roger on
Feb 28, 2008 2:59 PM PST
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This Season
I know it's just the first exhibition game, but today's game was certainly not encouraging.
I actually don't think the team, as currently constituted, is competetive. If we added a good 3B and 1B without giving up any current members of the pitching staff, I think it could be competetive. I don't see that happening though. Management seems to be determined to go with Ortmeier come hell or highwater. Crede by himself aint gonna be enough and Ortmeier is much more likely to be a disaster than the firstbaseman of the next 3+ years.
by DrBGiantsfan on
Feb 28, 2008 4:53 PM PST
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Re: On The Other Hand......
I'm not unhappy with either Bumgarner or Alderson, but Porcello has been rated the better talent and if I was drafting, I would have taken him.
I'm happy to have both Madison and Tim in the organization, but Porcello is slightly more advanced. Throws a tick harder, has clean mechanics, has two breaking pitches, and a feel for the change.
by xanthan on
Feb 25, 2008 4:05 PM PST
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Re: On The Other Hand......
And seriously, the kid's really 1 of like 4 can't miss prospects in that draft. Price, LaPorta and Wieters.
Too bad LaPorta didn't get to us. man, that would be fun.
by SloIsLonelyForTheOrange on
Feb 25, 2008 4:36 PM PST
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Let's not forget
Let's hope that this year the Giants play the role of the Tigers, Red Sox and Yankees and jump all over any top prospects who drop in the draft due to signability issues. They certainly have more financial wherewithal than the teams picking ahead of them: Rays, Pirates, Royals, and Orioles.
If only Pedro Alvarez would scare teams away and drop to #5...oh please, oh please, oh please.
by baseballjunkie on
Feb 25, 2008 5:23 PM PST
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Re: Let's not forget
Last winter they hoped to acquire one of the top free agents -- but instead wound up squandering their money on Barry Zito when they failed to acquire any of the top bats.
One might have thought that a careful examination of the free agent process would have shown the Giants by this winter that the chances of acquiring top talent wasn't great. IMO they did well to land Aaron Rowand, although I think they were hoping to make even more of a splash.
One would have thought that they would have budgeted money for Porcello in particular and also outfield prospect Kyle Russell (who remains unsigned). But while the Giants were indeed budgeting more money for draftees and have spent far more money than usual for new young acquisitions the past two years than ever before, they seemed unwilling to make the DRAMATIC change necessary to budget for guys like Porcello and Russell.
Last June the Giants had a chance for an historic draft. Hopefully they still achieved that level, but IMO their chances would have been far better with Porcello and Russell.
Let's hope that Brian Sabean is right and we're wrong this time -- but how often has that happened recently?
by sharksrog on
Feb 27, 2008 8:45 PM PST
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Re: BP's Top 11 Giants Prospects
by Natto on
Feb 25, 2008 4:06 PM PST
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Re: BP's Top 11 Giants Prospects
by groug on
Feb 25, 2008 4:41 PM PST
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Re: BP's Top 11 Giants Prospects
But ask yourselves if a combination of any three of Bumgarner, Alderson, Fairley and Noonan makes it to the majors in the next three to four years as starters and Porcello becomes the next Jason Grilli, will we remember this argument?
by sectionop92 on
Feb 25, 2008 7:49 PM PST
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Re: BP's Top 11 Giants Prospects
by howtheyscored on
Feb 25, 2008 8:13 PM PST
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Re: BP's Top 11 Giants Prospects
by jponry on
Feb 25, 2008 9:07 PM PST
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he said, she said
by Lyle on
Feb 26, 2008 6:16 AM PST
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Re: BP's Top 11 Giants Prospects
by Natto on
Feb 26, 2008 8:15 AM PST
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Re: BP's Top 11 Giants Prospects
by groug on
Feb 26, 2008 9:29 AM PST
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Re: BP's Top 11 Giants Prospects
Sadly, though, many of us have better track records over the past five years.
by sharksrog on
Feb 27, 2008 12:35 AM PST
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Re: BP's Top 11 Giants Prospects
by groug on
Feb 27, 2008 9:28 AM PST
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Re: BP's Top 11 Giants Prospects
by Anticon23 on
Feb 25, 2008 8:25 PM PST
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Re: BP's Top 11 Giants Prospects
Have you ever heard any GM in any sport say that they didn't get the player they wanted -- or at least one of the players they wanted?
And when a guy says his team needs to improve its OBP and then signs Jose Vizcaino, should we truly take much that he says seriously? :)



