Now that Football's over...Speculating about 2008...

by BruteSentiment on Feb 4, 2008 1:31 AM PST Comment 51 comments

This is me, so you know that it's going to be about the minors.

I've been thinking about what the upcoming season might hold...and this sparkling possibility came into my mind.

AUGUSTA LINEUP:

SS Charlie Culberson
CF Shane Jordan
2B Nick Noonan
3B Angel Villalona
1B Andy D'Alessio
LF Thomas Neal
RF Garrett Baker
C Michael Ambort
DH Sean Van Elderen

ROTATION:

Tim Alderson
Madison Bumgarner
Waldis Joaquin
Wilber Bucardo
T.J. Brewer

Three 95 MPH throwers to start the rotation, a star-studded infield of prospects, not to mention Thomas Neal and his talent coming back. Not every name is one to get excited about, but that is a hell of a lineup to watch. And the bullpen has a little bit to think about as well, with Dan Otero (Mr. No Walks) and Steven Edlefsen (Best slider in the draft) taking part.

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: Now that Football's over...Speculating about 2

I'm assuming you think Downs and Schoop go to San Jose? I'm guessing D'Alessio goes to SJ as well. I would not be surprised if Noonan, Alderson, Baumgartner and Culberson end up at a short season club, but it would be great if it was Augusta.

"But I AM a stepchild!"-Pedro Feliz

by Smotheredinhugs on Feb 4, 2008 4:09 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Re: Now that Football's over...

I think you could be quite right that this is the look of the Augusta team and that it's going to be the most exciting thing about being a Giants fan in '08. Too bad they up and left Hagerstown a few years back. I'd spend half the summer out there to watch these kids play.

I'm also really interested to see what Wilbur's little brother Jorge's going to look like in first introduction to American ball, but I guess we'll have to wait for short season to see that.

My boy ain't fat, he's just big boned. Big bat, too.

by Roger on Feb 4, 2008 6:20 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Re: Now that Football's over...

Roger, what area are you in? I went to college a stones throw away from Hagerstown and got to see a few minor league Giants games there. I was also bummed when the Giants left and the Mets took over as the affiliate.

by xanthan on Feb 4, 2008 8:58 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Now that Football's over...

We're in the process of moving down to Capital Hill in DC from Fairfax County. But when the Giants were Suns I was living up in northern Montgomery County near Poolsville.

My boy ain't fat, he's just big boned. Big bat, too.

by Roger on Feb 4, 2008 9:51 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Now that Football's over...

I loved getting to watch the Giants Sally teams. Got a great eyeful of Matt Cain, Francisco Liriano, Fred Lewis, Nate Schierholtz. It's great to really get to know those guys as players rather than stat lines at that young age. I'm jealous of all the McCoven who can see the San Jose teams with regularity.

My boy ain't fat, he's just big boned. Big bat, too.

by Roger on Feb 4, 2008 9:53 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Now that Football's over...

Cool, I went to school in Shepherdstown, WV, so I was about 25 mins outside of Hagerstown.

by xanthan on Feb 4, 2008 6:48 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Now that Football's over...

Shepherdstowns been turned into quite the artsy little community. Did they have the annual American drama festival when you were there? A great summer weekend trip, the craft shops, the Opera House, the drama festival and the antique place outside of town where I once found a beautiful upright piano for dirt cheap.

My boy ain't fat, he's just big boned. Big bat, too.

by Roger on Feb 4, 2008 7:24 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Now that Football's over...

Yeah, the theater festival is over the summer if I recall. I worked at the bakery downtown for awhile and my boss actually owned and operated the Opera House, a very neat place to see a movie.

It is a nice little town and I miss it a little now that I've moved down into Virginia. Oh, well.

Small world!

by xanthan on Feb 5, 2008 5:19 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Now that Football's over...

So where in Virginia are you?

My boy ain't fat, he's just big boned. Big bat, too.

by Roger on Feb 5, 2008 8:48 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Now that Football's over...

Currently in Harrisonburg, not a bad little town but it smells funny sometimes and I'd rather move sooner than later.

by xanthan on Feb 5, 2008 4:31 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Augusta roster

The prospects for the Greenjackets are good enough that my son and I are planning a road trip to see them this summer. I'll be happy for him but disappointed in not seeing Matt Downs, if you're right. D'Alessio too, if he's promoted. But all that is good news for the system if it happens, so it's good either way.

Go Greenjackets!

"I think I'd trust Amy Winehouse to guard my bag of coke before I'd trust Sabes to build my offense." -Dan Szymborski, Baseball Think Factory

by Lyle on Feb 4, 2008 6:21 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Re: Now that Football's over...

What about Jackson Williams?

Here's to Kemp, Loney, LaRoche, Hu, and Kershaw not panning out.

by Woody Wins on Feb 4, 2008 6:47 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Re: Now that Football's over...

I think it goes without saying that Jackson Williams will be promoted to sextuple-A, as he is quite awesome.

"When Jackson Williams thinks of how many times Madison Bumgarner has tried to kill Tyler Walker..."

by multiphasic on Feb 4, 2008 8:02 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Pushing

I hope the Giants don't succumb to the temptation to push Angel V too hard. He'd still be young for the level if he repeated the AZL. Maybe some extended ST and then a gig in Salem-Keizer for the summer would be better for his development?

Do you see Jackson Williams jumping to San Jose? Would that push Sandoval up to CT before he's really ready? I guess there is room for two catchers on a team, but there's going to be several players fighting for DH time in both Augusta and SJ.

by DrBGiantsfan on Feb 4, 2008 7:46 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Re: Pushing

Sandoval already split playing time with Adam Witter this past year...and yes, I think both will get moved up.

As for Williams, everything I've heard has the Giants pushing him to San Jose. They love his defensive skills and will be pushing him on that end, and have no small interest in letting him continue to work with Steve Decker in both that department and hitting.

SFDugout.com is BACK! Top 50 Prospects is starting...but, why are there two #50's?

by BruteSentiment on Feb 4, 2008 12:43 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Pushing

But by your own draft-day logic--that having Williams as a primo receiver (not to mention a potentially record-setting British runner) is a boon for blue-chip arms--wouldn't it make more sense to have him repeat Augusta? After all, he's clearly spent too much time raisin' Progressive heck to really master the whole hitting thing.

"When Jackson Williams thinks of how many times Madison Bumgarner has tried to kill Tyler Walker..."

by multiphasic on Feb 4, 2008 1:45 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Pushing

By my logic, yes. And I would agree.

But I'm talking about what I've heard, both from published (BA) sources, and also from people I know in and around the organization.

SFDugout.com is BACK! Top 50 Prospects is starting...but, why are there two #50's?

by BruteSentiment on Feb 4, 2008 6:11 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

ITS THE FINAL COUNTDOWN

I think D'alessio will appear in San Jose and for more than a late season or injury callup. It's probably wildly optimistic to think he might start the year in SJ, but I want to dream. Dream, dammit!

Democracy is lovely but baseball is more mature. BVCE supports Manny Burriss and SF Dugout.

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Feb 4, 2008 9:20 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

WOOOO!!!!

do do do doo...do da doo doo do... do da doo do...do da do da doo da do

Coming to you from the Land of Many Beers

by WalrusMan on Feb 4, 2008 9:37 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: WOOOO!!!!

They played the song during the NY Giants' celebration last night. I guess they're going to Venus?

Democracy is lovely but baseball is more mature. BVCE supports Manny Burriss and SF Dugout.

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Feb 4, 2008 9:38 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

No they're not going to Venus..

They're just going crazy.

Coming to you from the Land of Many Beers

by WalrusMan on Feb 4, 2008 9:40 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: WOOOO!!!!

i think they started the song after the giants kicked-off to the pats with like 36 seconds left. or something. you know. when it as the final countdown. i got pretty pumped. i didn't realize it when on into the celebration.

by kennv on Feb 4, 2008 12:06 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Now that Football's over...Speculating about 2

I was actually thinking about this subject the other day. Not only the lower levels, but the upper minors as well should be competitive, or atleast have some interesting individuals
Think about Fresno

Velez (2b)
Horwitz (1B)
Scheirholtz(rf) (Lewis and Davis are out of opttions- i think)
McClain (3b)
Bowker (lf)
Timpner (Cf)
Catcher
Short Stop

Rotation of

Periera
Sanchez (if he or Lowry are still here)
Misch
Espinelli

5)any number of jounrey men

with a pen holding Brian Anderson, Justin Hedrick, Merkin Valdez's return, as well as other's who i do not care to search for.

While AA will have some combination of Denker, Downs, D'Alessio, Pill, Copeland, Sandoval, Witter, Copeland, Richardson, and some of the parts of the Augusta Rotation.

by OmahaGiants on Feb 4, 2008 10:18 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Re: Now that Football's over...Speculating about 2

So i listed Copeland twice. I just really like his OBP

by OmahaGiants on Feb 4, 2008 10:19 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Now that Football's over...Speculating about 2

I wonder where Ishikawa ends up. Is there any hope for him at this point anyway?

Adopted Giant Brian Wilson: Your 2008 closer.

by sfgreg on Feb 4, 2008 11:01 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Now that Football's over...Speculating about 2

SS: Ochoa and/or Figueroa

by allfrank on Feb 4, 2008 12:41 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Now that Football's over...Speculating about 2

I don't think there's any way that Schierholtz is back in Fresno this year. Unless he absolutely fails in ST, the Giants will give him every shot to win the major league RF job.

Similarly, I also have doubts that D'Alessio would even board a plane to Connecticut to visit family there, much less play there. Remember, this guy mashed, but he mashed at the lowest level. Skipping THREE levels would be near unprecedented.

If he doesn't go to Augusta, the max he'd make it to would be San Jose. But I think Brett Pill will make the Giants at least start D'Alessio in Augusta.

I'd like to see added to this list both Travis Ishikawa and Eddy Martinez-Esteve.

SFDugout.com is BACK! Top 50 Prospects is starting...but, why are there two #50's?

by BruteSentiment on Feb 4, 2008 12:47 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

So..

if Schierholtz is going to win the starting RF job this year, where does that move others? Winn or Roberts traded for a medium prospect/salary relief (respectively)? Or is Roberts going to sit with one of Lewis/Davis traded in some sort of Ellison deal like last year?

Coming to you from the Land of Many Beers

by WalrusMan on Feb 4, 2008 2:17 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: So..

Roberts will sit, and either Davis or Lewis will be traded or will be tried to be passed through waivers.

SFDugout.com is BACK! Top 50 Prospects is starting...but, why are there two #50's?

by BruteSentiment on Feb 4, 2008 6:14 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I guess to complete what I meant..

I think that Schierholtz will have to impress to make the ML roster. But at the first hint of an injury he'll be up. Roberts hurt? Move Winn to LF and Schierholtz starts. Rowand hurt? Move Winn to CF and Schierholtz starts. Winn hurt? We just lost our best offensive player. :-(

Coming to you from the Land of Many Beers

by WalrusMan on Feb 4, 2008 2:19 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Now that Football's over...Speculating about 2

Brute, you have many more insiders in the organization than I, and looking at how stacked first is you may be right. D'Alessio as of right now is behind both Downs and Pill, so Pill is probably in double-A, with Downs in San Jose, and D'Alessio starting in Augusta. A good deal could happen between now and the end of minor league camp, and if people keep throwing into D'Alessio's "groove" who knows where he'll end the year

by OmahaGiants on Feb 4, 2008 8:47 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Now that Football's over...Speculating about 2

Actually, Downs was working hard at playing the outfield in instructional league. While I'm not sure that he's ready to stick there, I'd see Downs (ideally a second baseman) playing third in San Jose.

D'Alessio will get a shot to earn a trip to San Jose if he does well in Spring Training, and they'll consider doing a first base/DH platoon similar to how Witter and Sandoval shared the catcher job, but he'd have to earn it. I think what's more likely is that he will start the season in Augusta, and get a late May/Early June decision on a callup, which is when such callups usually happen.

SFDugout.com is BACK! Top 50 Prospects is starting...but, why are there two #50's?

by BruteSentiment on Feb 5, 2008 12:27 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Ryan Rohlinger?

Where would that put Ryan Rohlinger? I see him as the starting 3B in San Jose. If Downs fits best at 2B, I'd put him there in SJ. I certainly wouldn't let Bocock or Burriss stand in the way of a guy who can hit like Downs from trying to make it at 2B. As for OF, that seems pretty crowded in the lower minors too. I've got Felmy, McBryde, Weston and Graham at minimum fighting for PT in SJ.

by DrBGiantsfan on Feb 5, 2008 6:47 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Ryan Rohlinger?

If you put Rohlinger and Downs at 3rd and 2nd respectively where do you put bond?

by OmahaGiants on Feb 5, 2008 7:49 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Ryan Rohlinger?

The bottom line is that there is going to be a playing time squeeze no matter what.

SFDugout.com is BACK! Top 50 Prospects is starting...but, why are there two #50's?

by BruteSentiment on Feb 5, 2008 1:47 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Ryan Rohlinger?

Hey Dr, do you have any idea where Wendell Fairley will play? Augusta, Salem Kiezer? Im thinking Salem Kiezer.

Your 2010 NL rookie of the year,... Andy D'alessio

by ramirez415 on Feb 5, 2008 10:52 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Now that Football's over...Speculating about 2

I think my son starts off the year in Augusta

Your 2010 NL rookie of the year,... Andy D'alessio

by ramirez415 on Feb 5, 2008 10:46 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Now that Football's over...Speculating about 2

I would hope they haven't totally given up on Noonan at SS yet. During his final year in high school, Perfect Game scouting ranked him as the best defensive player in Southern California. Maybe pro scouts see him as not having the tools to play there in the big leagues, but it would be a shame to not give him the chance at such a young age.

by mxmob33 on Feb 4, 2008 12:27 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Re: Now that Football's over...Speculating about 2

But where do you play Culberson (who by all accounts has the better arm and D skills)? Bocock and Burriss are probably going to split the MI positions in SJ. There seems to be no reason to retard Culberson's development by leaving him in Extended ST to wait for the NWL to begin. So if he and Noonan are again at the same level, you're only choices are: 1) move Noonan to 2b, 2) switch them both back and forth frequently, 3) leave one of them on the bench every day. Of those three choices, moving Nick to 2B seems to make the most sense.

My boy ain't fat, he's just big boned. Big bat, too.

by Roger on Feb 4, 2008 12:50 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Now that Football's over...Speculating about 2

+1 to the whole comment.

Democracy is lovely but baseball is more mature. BVCE supports Manny Burriss and SF Dugout.

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Feb 4, 2008 1:20 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Now that Football's over...Speculating about 2

I'm not sure I agree. It would be pretty unlikely (and lucky for the Giants) if both of those guys were able to progress through the system both offensively and defensively.

I think you have to switch them off until one of them proves they're not cut out for it. Having too many good hitting SS prospects is a pretty good problem to have.

Regarding Burris and Bocock.. Neither of them impress me enough to move a much better prospect like Noonan off of a premium position.

by mxmob33 on Feb 4, 2008 1:20 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Now that Football's over...Speculating about 2

Anyone want to speculate who ends up in Ct? I have the feeling we are going to have another team fighting to stay out of last place.

by the hondo hurricane on Feb 4, 2008 2:39 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

CT Roster

There's Antoan Richardson and Ben Copeland for starters. I don't know about Mooney, but there might not be any other OF's ready. I'm pretty sure Dave Maroul will move up at 3B, although he might hit .096 with all 20 of his hits HR's. I'm going to say the SS will be Olmo Rosario, the FA we picked up from indy ball. Bocock could be up there too, but more likely San Jose. 2B will probably be Mark Mincozzi once again. 1B? Probably Von Schell/Randy Ruiz. I hope to God they don't put Travis Ishikawa back there. Catcher will be Adam Witter/Pablo Sandoval? Pitching? I'll go with Alex Hinshaw, Paul Osequera, Joe Martinez, with a couple of holdovers for starters. The bullpen will be Pichardo, Romo, Wilding.

by DrBGiantsfan on Feb 4, 2008 3:23 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs