Joe Ritzo from SJGiants.com with Giants minor league hitting preview.

Over the last decade, the San Francisco Giants have been known as a franchise that has struggled to develop homegrown hitting talent. However, that distinction is beginning to change, most notably due to the emergence of Pablo Sandoval as one of the better hitters in the National League.

Now entering the 2010 season, nearly all of the top prospects in the farm system are position players and several will be suiting up for teams in the upper levels of the organization as they look to take the next step in their professional careers.

Some tidbits:    17 year old Rafael Rodriguez could begin his play with short season Salem-Keizer.

                           18 year old Tom Joseph could catch for Low A Augusta.

                            Brandon Crawford and Nick Nooner could be the DP combo at AA Richmond.