Jonathan Mayo at milb.com

Offense: Guillermo Rodriguez Pitcher: Randy Messenger

Yes, it is that bleak. Seriously though, I actually agree with Nick Noonan, but I'm going with MadBum as the pitcher, because low A minor league kids are not going to be able to hit 97mph coming from the lefthanded side. He's going to have to develop better secondary pitches to continue that success as he goes up the ladder, but 2008 should be a dominant year for him.

Player of the Year: My top choice would be Nate Schierholtz, who I expect to have a Fresno season like Todd Linden in 2006. The alternate would be Andy D'Alessio, but Noonan would be third.

Pitcher of the Year: This is tougher. Very rarely does one of the hard throwing kids have the best year in the minors...Only Lincecum really had a shot at maintaining it, but he got promoted too quickly. I'd go with Madison, as he could really dominate the SAL, but my second choice would be a year-better Clayton Tanner in San Jose. I don't go with Alderson, since they're pushing him more aggressively (apparently to San Jose). But Pucetas and Orlando Yntema are also on the map.

I liked the article. When it comes to predictions for categories like "Organizational", one has to acknowledge a its basically a lottery. So many players, so much potential plus chances for learning curves to throw some odd numbers into the mix.

Those learning curves might limit other offensive players like Villalona or Fairley. But Noonan's "advanced bat" combined with his tools makes him a good pick for OOPY. I think Nate/Bowker/Horwitz get overlooked for being to high up the Minors and having too high of expectations.

I don't know about Pucetas for for OrgPitcher. I'd go with Brute or rx above and guess MadBum, but there are so many live arms, from AAA to ExtendedST that it seems really hard to guess. Why not a repeat from Romo, or dominance from May on from Sosa?

I found it interesting that he mentions that Burriss is a candidate to start in Fresno. That seems aggressive after his putrid showing in San Jose.

I think the Giants consider Brian Bocock more advanced than Burriss right now, so I would think Brian is going to Fresno and Manny to Connecticut.

Fred Stanley said last week it is the plan to keep Bocock and Rohlinger together. With how this Spring Training has been run it would surprise me to see Rohlinger, Bocock, and Manny in Double and Triple A respectivly. It will be interesting.

John Boy Bowker
Sergio Romo

Offense: Justin Smoak

Starting Pitcher: Wilber Bucardo

Relief Pitcher: Billy Sadler

Comeback POY: Eddie Martinez-Esteve

Newcomer of the Year: Hector Sanchez, of course!

I'm all for Noonan, not only because of the "advanced bat" and the Jeter references. But simply because he was right under the Padres' noses, playing right in their San Diego neighborhood and they passed on him. Then Nick Schmidt blew out his arm somewhere between the national anthem and the first pitch before he took the mound aka the Padres' medical staff virtually practicing malpractice with him. So seeing Noonan on local TV wearing a Giants hat, saying he'd pass on going to Clemson to play for the black and orange was music to my ears...a symphony that still plays, louder and louder!!!

As for Pitcher of the Year...hmmmm...how about Steve Edlefsen. If his slider is as nasty as they say it is and he maintains his dominance, he could be a fast-track sleeper. Look at our pitching like this...it looks good now. But in a year and a half, maintaining injuries are only slight, whomever is in charge of making the baseball decisions could literally be the envy of every GM with a surplus of talented arms at nearly all levels. And...hopefully...that the position players start to bloom and take their places in the majors.

Reading that article made me wish I was "Giants Fan in Augusta"...