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Three Greenjackets named to Baseball America's Top 20 Sally League Prospects

Centipete_rose_tiny by BaronVonCurrentEvents on

Madison Bumgarner got the top slot as best South Atlantic League prospect in Baseball America's yearly rundown of the best prospects in the minor leagues.

Also named were Angel Villalona at number 6 and Nick Noonan at number 9. BA's little blurb on Villalona acknowledged scouts' differing opinions on the teenager's performance and cited problems with his "conditioning" (aka ZOMG FATTY LAY OFF THE CHZBRGRZ) but he still made it in.

Jason Heyward was second on the list behind Mad Bum, so that one guy who insists on Heyward every time will have something to talk about.

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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MAD BUM

Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.
PABLO SANDOVAL AM STEAL DEATH, DESTROYER OF WORLDS.

by jponry on Sep 24, 2008 8:19 AM PDT   0 recs

ObMadBum

Scott McClain: Great story, no place on the 2009 Giants.

by EliminateMe on Sep 24, 2008 10:20 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

A chat on the SAL prospects will be held today at 1PM EST

http://www.baseballamerica.com/chat/chat.php?id=2008092401

YAY MADBUM

#1 JUDY STEFFES FAN
My favorite pie is (name of pie flavor)
Bay City Ball

by xanthan on Sep 24, 2008 8:36 AM PDT   0 recs

One of the things not messed up is Bumgardner’s delivery. It’s pretty easy heat and I don’t see him doing anything out of the ordinary. Yes, some people question Villalona’s maturity, but he was 17 for most of the year, so he gets a pass. He looked much better, both physically and at the plate, during the second half of the season, which should bode well for the future. He’s still learning how to be a professional.

helllll yeahhhh

Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.
PABLO SANDOVAL AM STEAL DEATH, DESTROYER OF WORLDS.

by jponry on Sep 24, 2008 10:35 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

One of the things that is messed up is people (even professional)’s inability to spell MadBum’s name.

Get the hell out the way Bengie, Pablito's hit the show!

by Roger on Sep 24, 2008 11:05 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I want to garden some Bums.

#1 JUDY STEFFES FAN
My favorite pie is (name of pie flavor)
Bay City Ball

by xanthan on Sep 24, 2008 11:24 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

The host later referred to him as Bamgarner.

Less arm, more talk. Raisingcain is a GAMER.
Adopted Giant: Henry Sosa

by raisingcain on Sep 24, 2008 4:18 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Every now and again when I see Tommy Baumgardner’s name in a boxscore I have to do a double take.

"While conservatives tell you 'leave things alone and no one will lose,' and liberals tell you 'interfere a lot and no one will lose,' baseball says 'someone will lose.' Not only says it - but insists upon it! ... Democracy is lovely, but baseball's more mature." BVCE supports SF Dugout and Manny Burriss.

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Sep 24, 2008 4:20 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Link fail

Why oh why does that happen?

Real link: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?n=Tommy%20Baumgardner&pos=P&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=450596

"While conservatives tell you 'leave things alone and no one will lose,' and liberals tell you 'interfere a lot and no one will lose,' baseball says 'someone will lose.' Not only says it - but insists upon it! ... Democracy is lovely, but baseball's more mature." BVCE supports SF Dugout and Manny Burriss.

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Sep 24, 2008 4:21 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Double helllll yeahhhh
Q: Bernie from Warwick RI asks:
Higher ceiling … Bumgarner or Alderson ?

A: Bill Ballew: Wow, really, really close, but I give the edge to Bumgarner because he’s lefthanded.

Neglectful father of David Quinowski

by marcello on Sep 24, 2008 11:11 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

That and the fact he thought Madbum may be the best pitching prospect in all of baseball.

Brett Pill - Lord of the double.

by malarky on Sep 24, 2008 11:28 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Soooo, by the transitive property of, “I say so,” if Alderson were left handed, he’d be either the #1 or #2 pitching prospect. Since he’s right handed, I guess he’s at least top 5?

Neglectful father of David Quinowski

by marcello on Sep 24, 2008 11:44 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

helllll yeahhhh x3
Q: Kelly from Boston asks:
Is Nick Noonan still comparable to Utley w/o the huge power potential? Or, is he best compared with someone else?
 
A: Bill Ballew: That’s not a bad comparison at all. He can definitely handle the bat, a la Utley.

This seems way too optimistic to me. On the other hand: fuck it, let’s drink!

Neglectful father of David Quinowski

by marcello on Sep 24, 2008 11:43 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Yeah, retardedly optimistic.

#1 JUDY STEFFES FAN
My favorite pie is (name of pie flavor)
Bay City Ball

by xanthan on Sep 24, 2008 11:47 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

BEST PLATE DISCIPLINE IN THE SYSTEM

Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.
PABLO SANDOVAL AM STEAL DEATH, DESTROYER OF WORLDS.

by jponry on Sep 24, 2008 12:00 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

WORLD'S TALLEST MIDGET

Billy Hayes: His job is better than yours.

by delorean on Sep 24, 2008 12:22 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

+1

Uncle Sabes...How much longer til we get there?

by NorCalGiant on Sep 24, 2008 12:24 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Just for the fun of it (obviously just numbers; not taking scouting into account or park/league adjustments):

Noonan, Age 19, A ball – .282/.318/.419

Utley, Age 21, A- ball – .307/.383/.444
Utley, Age 22, A+ ball – .257/.324/.422

Noonan’s line at A ball is somewhat similar to Utley’s line at High A, and Noonan stole more bases at a better rate while being much younger. However, comparing anyone in the minors, especially someone in the low minors, to the league’s best at a position seems folly.

Neglectful father of David Quinowski

by marcello on Sep 24, 2008 12:06 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

honestly...

he still needs to learn how to take a walk. Utley’s IsoOBP on both of those levels is near .070, while Noonans is half that.

Uncle Sabes...How much longer til we get there?

by NorCalGiant on Sep 24, 2008 12:11 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Clearly

The good news is, as jponry said above, he has the best plate discipline in the system; at least according to farm director Fred Stanley he does.

Neglectful father of David Quinowski

by marcello on Sep 24, 2008 12:16 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

SAD

Uncle Sabes...How much longer til we get there?

by NorCalGiant on Sep 24, 2008 12:17 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

What concerns me is that that statement means one of two things:

1) Noonan does have the best plate discipline in our system which is a serious knock on our minor league hitters (along with an indictment of our drafting and player development strategies).

2) Noonan doesn’t have the best plate discipline in our system, and our FARM DIRECTOR somehow doesn’t know this.

Either way, it concerns me a little bit. We have a great farm system now, so my concern is minimal, but it’s still there.

Neglectful father of David Quinowski

by marcello on Sep 24, 2008 12:40 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Like I said before

I think it’s more the first than the second. Lord knows the renaissance in the system only started a few years ago and we’re still lacking in legit impact position players/hitters. (No Pablo I haven’t forgotten you) Noonan being the best of a crappy group isn’t necessarily a knock on him. If you’ll recall when he was drafted lots of people were going OMGWTFBBQ about his ability with the bat.

"While conservatives tell you 'leave things alone and no one will lose,' and liberals tell you 'interfere a lot and no one will lose,' baseball says 'someone will lose.' Not only says it - but insists upon it! ... Democracy is lovely, but baseball's more mature." BVCE supports SF Dugout and Manny Burriss.

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Sep 24, 2008 1:03 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I suppose it’s possible that Noonan does have superlative plate discipline, but it just hasn’t helped him hit for a high average, get on base at a decent clip or hit for much power yet.

Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.
PABLO SANDOVAL AM STEAL DEATH, DESTROYER OF WORLDS.

by jponry on Sep 24, 2008 1:04 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I mean that he has these plate discipline skills, they just haven’t actually translated in any way into his numbers yet.

Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.
PABLO SANDOVAL AM STEAL DEATH, DESTROYER OF WORLDS.

by jponry on Sep 24, 2008 1:04 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Rebuttal to myself

Though marcello, if Stanley the manly does have the talent evaluation skills of a watermelon then I’d be glad to drive my car off the overpass, with anyone who wishes to plunge to their flaming death.

"While conservatives tell you 'leave things alone and no one will lose,' and liberals tell you 'interfere a lot and no one will lose,' baseball says 'someone will lose.' Not only says it - but insists upon it! ... Democracy is lovely, but baseball's more mature." BVCE supports SF Dugout and Manny Burriss.

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Sep 24, 2008 1:05 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Or maybe...

…Stanley was referring to Noonan’s eating habits. Certainly he seems to have better plate discipline than Villalona or Sandoval.

Scott McClain: Great story, no place on the 2009 Giants.

by EliminateMe on Sep 24, 2008 1:10 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

This is awesome. Golf clap for you.

Neglectful father of David Quinowski

by marcello on Sep 24, 2008 1:12 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Noonan lays off the corn muffin

"While conservatives tell you 'leave things alone and no one will lose,' and liberals tell you 'interfere a lot and no one will lose,' baseball says 'someone will lose.' Not only says it - but insists upon it! ... Democracy is lovely, but baseball's more mature." BVCE supports SF Dugout and Manny Burriss.

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Sep 24, 2008 1:29 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

JUSSSSSSSSSSSSST a bit outside!

(I have no idea what that is supposed to mean)

Billy Hayes: His job is better than yours.

by delorean on Sep 24, 2008 1:45 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Obviously

It means that he is not buttering any muffins and is instead concentrating on baseball.

by Lars The Wanderer on Sep 24, 2008 1:52 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Is your muffin buttered?

Would you like us to assign someone to butter your muffin?

"While conservatives tell you 'leave things alone and no one will lose,' and liberals tell you 'interfere a lot and no one will lose,' baseball says 'someone will lose.' Not only says it - but insists upon it! ... Democracy is lovely, but baseball's more mature." BVCE supports SF Dugout and Manny Burriss.

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Sep 24, 2008 2:01 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Apparently, Lindsay prefers her muffin unbuttered.

by Lars The Wanderer on Sep 24, 2008 2:12 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I love that movie

And I will fight anyone who says it’s not funny.

"While conservatives tell you 'leave things alone and no one will lose,' and liberals tell you 'interfere a lot and no one will lose,' baseball says 'someone will lose.' Not only says it - but insists upon it! ... Democracy is lovely, but baseball's more mature." BVCE supports SF Dugout and Manny Burriss.

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Sep 24, 2008 2:23 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Hard Knox on 26th and Clement has amazing cornbread muffins.

There amass been plenty of articles written this spring about the stud shortstop Matt Cain and Tim Lincecum , as well as the fluid young outfielders and thirteen basemen Kevin Frandsen.
comics | cartoons | Nattowear | McFAQ

by Natto on Sep 24, 2008 1:53 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Good points, Baron and jponry. I was probably a little over the top with the, “It’s either black or white…NO GRAY!”

Neglectful father of David Quinowski

by marcello on Sep 24, 2008 1:12 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

That Kelly needed a slap upside the head

For doubting the great Nick Noonan!

"While conservatives tell you 'leave things alone and no one will lose,' and liberals tell you 'interfere a lot and no one will lose,' baseball says 'someone will lose.' Not only says it - but insists upon it! ... Democracy is lovely, but baseball's more mature." BVCE supports SF Dugout and Manny Burriss.

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Sep 24, 2008 4:29 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Sweet swing

Nick Noonan has a sweet swing, but his 98/23 K/BB ratio was disappointing. 98 strikeouts in 499 at bats isn’t great for a player with modest power, and 23 walks is almost Feliz-like.

Nick did improve his K/BB ratio to 23/12 in August, when he also hit four of his nine home runs. Nick isn’t considered to have the power of Utley, but nine homers as a 19-year-old isn’t bad.

Nick is another left-handed hitter in a Giants organization that is beginning to look a bit liberal in its makeup of hitters.

by sharksrog on Sep 26, 2008 10:15 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Caution?

Angel Villalona just turned 18 a little over a month ago, but should we be concerned about his 121/18 K/BB ratio? In conjunction with his overall improvement with the bat as the season went on, he posted a season-best 21/6 ratio in August (still not very good), but his 21/2 ratio in July was his third-worst month of the season behind only April’s 21/1 and May’s 26/2.

It appears to me that Angel’s ceiling might be Ryan Howard without the walks. That would be good — but not great.

by sharksrog on Sep 26, 2008 10:08 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Sounds like he’d make a great D’back!

Get the hell out the way Bengie, Pablito's hit the show!

by Roger on Sep 26, 2008 10:26 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

That’s way too conservative of a ceiling. Villalona’s young enough that he could take a massive step forward at any point. Or not, you never know.

I think his ceiling is pretty high actually, perhaps the highest of any Giant. That doesn’t necessarily make him the best prospect, of course.

by Dan from NM on Sep 26, 2008 12:48 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I’d say Miguel Cabrera with a bit more power and a bit less BB’s. Something like
.290/.360/.580, maybe better.

..so allow me to present Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain as two sweet, sweet bottles of warming hooch.

by Cookyman on Sep 26, 2008 1:01 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

The 2003 SAL Top 20

1. B.J. Upton
2. Scott Kazmir
3. Cole Hamels
4. Jeff Francoeur
5. Jeremy Hermida
6. Hanley Ramirez
7. Fausto Carmona
9. Scott Olson
11. John Maine
13. Brandon League
14. Matt Cain
20. Brian McCann

by Lars The Wanderer on Sep 24, 2008 1:53 PM PDT   0 recs

i rekkanize a coupla dem names

Billy Hayes: His job is better than yours.

by delorean on Sep 24, 2008 2:01 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

what a bunch of shitty players

I mean, cmon – Brandon League?

Eugeniooooooo!!!!

by FairweatherFan on Sep 24, 2008 2:21 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

And that Matt Cain fellow never amounted to much. Such a shame.

#1 JUDY STEFFES FAN
My favorite pie is (name of pie flavor)
Bay City Ball

by xanthan on Sep 24, 2008 2:55 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Fourteenth best player – at best!

your 2008 SF Giants: this isn’t totally insane, just really stupid

by Lyle on Sep 25, 2008 4:18 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

damn

proud father of the newly acquired Brandon Crawford..

by Azmanz on Sep 24, 2008 6:12 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Yeah, but I’ll bet 9 of the top 20 sucked!

Trent Kline: Decentish. Also, my website is called ChatterBalks Dot Com. It's not being updated right now. Hope for more at your own risk.

by groug on Sep 24, 2008 6:49 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Angel Villalona

Playing in the SAL at 17 yrs of age exceeded my expectations. Expect another fine season in 2009 at San Jose with his third season (2010) being his breakout year at either AA or AAA.

by wilriv21 on Sep 24, 2008 2:03 PM PDT   0 recs

Any interesting tidbits from the scouting reports?

Anything that hasn’t been rehashed here before?

Hector Sanchez: really getting tired of playing baseball in foreign countries...

by tedfordfan on Sep 24, 2008 2:33 PM PDT   0 recs

BA web-only membership runs you $26 for three months

A fine deal for poor mofos like me. I suggest it to others, as well.

I won’t repeat the specifics of what I read aside from details about Bumgarner’s ability, simply because this information directly challenges those who pooh-pooh him as still raw and posessing only one tool in his fastball. The blurb on Mad Bum says he works both sides of the plate and hits his spots with precision, and his other pitches in the breaking ball and changeup continue to improve.

That to me shows he’s more than what the haters are saying.

"While conservatives tell you 'leave things alone and no one will lose,' and liberals tell you 'interfere a lot and no one will lose,' baseball says 'someone will lose.' Not only says it - but insists upon it! ... Democracy is lovely, but baseball's more mature." BVCE supports SF Dugout and Manny Burriss.

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Sep 24, 2008 3:21 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

yeah

Trent Kline: Decentish. Also, my website is called ChatterBalks Dot Com. It's not being updated right now. Hope for more at your own risk.

by groug on Sep 24, 2008 4:25 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

maybe

"While conservatives tell you 'leave things alone and no one will lose,' and liberals tell you 'interfere a lot and no one will lose,' baseball says 'someone will lose.' Not only says it - but insists upon it! ... Democracy is lovely, but baseball's more mature." BVCE supports SF Dugout and Manny Burriss.

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Sep 24, 2008 4:34 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

nope

Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.
PABLO SANDOVAL AM STEAL DEATH, DESTROYER OF WORLDS.

by jponry on Sep 24, 2008 4:32 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

whats the

word on him

by bigpanda48 on Sep 24, 2008 4:30 PM PDT   0 recs

Him?

"While conservatives tell you 'leave things alone and no one will lose,' and liberals tell you 'interfere a lot and no one will lose,' baseball says 'someone will lose.' Not only says it - but insists upon it! ... Democracy is lovely, but baseball's more mature." BVCE supports SF Dugout and Manny Burriss.

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Sep 24, 2008 4:32 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

oh shit

still the most disturbing villain EVAR on a “fid’s show.”

Billy Hayes: His job is better than yours.

by delorean on Sep 24, 2008 4:36 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

bah

fid’s = kid’s

Billy Hayes: His job is better than yours.

by delorean on Sep 24, 2008 4:36 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I certainly went WTF at Him every time he appeared on the Powerpuff Girls. And I was a huge devotee to PPG back in the day. STFU, I was just like Buttercup when I was a little girl, okay?

"While conservatives tell you 'leave things alone and no one will lose,' and liberals tell you 'interfere a lot and no one will lose,' baseball says 'someone will lose.' Not only says it - but insists upon it! ... Democracy is lovely, but baseball's more mature." BVCE supports SF Dugout and Manny Burriss.

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Sep 24, 2008 4:40 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

No, I loved it too

And I don’t even have the excuse of having been a little girl.

Billy Hayes: His job is better than yours.

by delorean on Sep 24, 2008 4:48 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

same....

proud father of the newly acquired Brandon Crawford..

by Azmanz on Sep 24, 2008 6:14 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Live Hot stuff!

Steamy triple K guy on guy action!!

There amass been plenty of articles written this spring about the stud shortstop Matt Cain and Tim Lincecum , as well as the fluid young outfielders and thirteen basemen Kevin Frandsen.
comics | cartoons | Nattowear | McFAQ

by Natto on Sep 24, 2008 4:40 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I'll be in my bunk

"While conservatives tell you 'leave things alone and no one will lose,' and liberals tell you 'interfere a lot and no one will lose,' baseball says 'someone will lose.' Not only says it - but insists upon it! ... Democracy is lovely, but baseball's more mature." BVCE supports SF Dugout and Manny Burriss.

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Sep 24, 2008 4:40 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Yay!!

It’s catching on

Billy Hayes: His job is better than yours.

by delorean on Sep 24, 2008 4:48 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

i thot mojo was messed up to haha

by bigpanda48 on Sep 24, 2008 4:44 PM PDT &nb