AFL 10/20: Scottsdale defeated Phoenix 11-2

Scottsdale: SS Emmanuel Burriss: 2 for 5, SO
Scottsdale: DH Kevin Frandsen: 4 for 4, 2B, HBP
Scottsdale: RF Drew Sutton: 1 for 2, HR, 2 BB, SF, SO
Scottsdale: CF Ben Copeland: 1 for 4, HR, BB, SO
Phoenix: CF Eric Young: 2 for 5, 2B, SO, SB, CS

Phoenix: RHP Chaz Roe: 3.2 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 4 K--2 HR
Phoenix: RHP Shane Lindsay: 2.1 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB--1 HB

The Giants' two middle infielders were the two Scorpions hitters with multiple hit lines.  Frandsen's third straight multi-hit game has raised his AVG from .222 after five games to .400 after eight games.  Burriss has a .326 AVG.  Copeland, who has had just 12 HRs over the last two seasons, had his first AFL HR.  The Astros' Sutton homered for the third straight game.  The Rockies' Young was the only Desert Dog with two hits.  His third straight multi-hit game raised his AVG to .364.  He now has a 6/1 SB/CS line in the AFL after he had a 46/16 line in the Texas League this year.

The Rockies' Roe and Lindsay have both been considered top ten prospects in that organization at some point, but they combined to surrender 8 ER in 6.0 IP.

HWB 10/20: Monday was an off-day in Hawaii.
Nearly half way through their season, there are 20 games remaining over the next 26 days.

Caribbean notes 10/20: no games

Caribbean notes 10/19:
Mexicali: C Todd Jennings: 1 for 4, 2B, SO, GiDP, E
Caribes: C Eliezer Alfonzo: 0 for 3, BB, SO
Caribes: SS Ivan Ochoa: 1 for 3, SO
Caribes: RHP Matt Palmer: 1.0 IP, 2 K

Among the three hitters, Alfonzo is the only one with an AVG above .250 so far.  Palmer has been dominant in three save opportunities with 5 K in 3.0 perfect IP.

AFL 10/19: Sunday is a regular off-day

HWB 10/19: Waikiki lost to Honolulu 2-0

Waikiki: LF Todd Frazier: 1 for 2, 2B, BB, HBP, GiDP
Honolulu: C Tony Cruz: 3 for 4, SO, SB

Waikiki: LHP Mitsuo Yoshikawa: 5.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 5 K--1 WP
Waikiki: RHP Steven Edlefsen: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 3 K--1 WP
Honolulu: LHP Jonathan Venters: 5.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 5 K--1 HB

The Reds' Frazier, a supplemental first round pick a year ago, reached base three times for the Beach Boys.  He is tied with two others with a league-leading 9th doubles.  With a .297 AVG, he easily has the highest AVG of any of those in Sunday's starting lineup for the Beach Boys.  The Cardinals' Cruz, who had a sub-.750 OPS in the Florida State League, was the only hitter with a multiple hit line, and he had the games' only RBI.  His .432 AVG leads HWB.

The Braves' Venters and Japan's Yoskikawa both last five innings in their starts.  Edlefsen was the only Giants' farmhand to appear in the game.  He threw 23 of 38 pitches for strikes.  He has a  6.75 ERA after six appearances.

Caribbean notes:
Sunday was an off-day in all Caribbean leagues.

AFL 10/16: Scottsdale defeated Surprise 13-1
(putting the game away with seven runs in the 6th inning)

Scottsdale: SS Emmanuel Burriss: 4 for 6, 2 SB
Scottsdale: DH Kevin Frandsen: 2 for 5, HBP
Scottsdale: 3B LF Chris Pettit: 3 for 4, HR, BB, SO
Scottsdale: CF Ben Copeland: 0 for 5, BB, SO
Scottsdale: 2B Shelby Ford: 3 for 5, HR, HBP
Surprise: C Matt Wieters: 0 for 2, BB, HBP
Surprise: RF Joe Dickerson: 2 for 3, 3B, CS

Scottsdale: RHP Clay Buchholz: 5.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 4 K
Scottsdale: RHP T.J. Large: 1.0 IP, 1 K--1 HB
Surprise: RHP Dan Cortes: 3.0 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 3 K--1 HR

Burriss's four singles led the Scorpions' eighteen-hit attack.  He raised his AVG to .400.  The two fellow Giants--Frandsen's pair of singles raised his AVG to .261, but Copeland oh-fer lowered his AVG to .286.  The Angels' Pettit and the Pirates' Ford also had three hits and provided the game's only HRs.  The Royals' Dickerson had two of the Rafters' three hits.  The Orioles' Wieters, who is likely the top prospect in baseball, also reached base twice.

The AFL is not normally noted for pitching prospects, but two notable pitchers started this game.  The Red Sox' Buchholz faced the minimum fifteen batters despite allowing a couple baserunners.  He had a 2/7 GO/FO line.  The Royals' Cortes has allowed 7 H and 4+ ER in both of his AFL starts.  The Red Sox' 25-year-old Large, who was drafted by the Giants in 2001 (the same year as Hennessey, Lowry, Linden and Foppert) but did not sign, pitched a scoreless 7th inning.

HWB 10/16: Waikiki lost to North Shore 7-4
(allowing five runs in 4th inning)

Waikiki: 1B Yonger Alonso: 2 for 4, 2 2B, 2 SO
Waikiki: LF Roger Kieschnick: 0 for 4, 3 SO
North Shore: 1B Chris Carter: 0 for 4, SF, 3 SO
North Shore: SS Yamaico Navarro: 1 for 5, HR, SO, E

North Shore: LHP Ben Swaggerty: 2.0 IP, 1 BB, 5 K--1 WP
Waikiki: LHP Kazunori Yamamoto: 2.0 IP, 1 K

The Giants' Kieschnick suffered his second pro hat trick.  In his last five games, he has 9 SO among 19 AB.  With two doubles, the Reds' Alonso was one of three Beach Boys with two hits.  The A's' Carter had a hat trick and was the only Honu hitter without a hit.  The oh-fer dropped his AVG to .176, and he now has twice as many strikeouts as hits in Hawaii.  The Red Sox' Navarro provided the game's only HR.

Each team had a couple older relievers pitch well.  The Royals' 26-year-old Swaggerty struck out five of the seven batters he faced.  Japan's 25-year-old Yamamoto pitched two perfect innings to maintain his 0.00 ERA after four appearances.

Carribean notes:
Mexicali: C Todd Jennings: 1 for 3, BB
Caribes: SS Ivan Ochoa: 1 for 4, 2 SO
Caribes: C Eliezer Alfonzo: 1 for 4, HBP, 3 SO
Caribes: RHP Matt Palmer: 1.0 IP, 2 K

Jennings finally got his second hit.  Ochoa and Alfonzo each had a single in their second winter game.  Palmer has saved both of Caribes' two games.  He threw 8 of 11 pitches for strikes in a perfect 9th inning while recording 2 K.

AFL 10/15: Scottsdale defeated Surprise 6-2

Scottsdale: SS Emmanuel Burriss: 1 for 4, 2B, BB
Scottsdale: 2B Kevin Frandsen: 0 for 3, BB
Scottsdale: CF Ben Copeland: 1 for 4, 3B, SO
Scottsdale: 3B Ryan Rohlinger: 1 for 4, HR
Surprise: RF Andrew Lambo: 3 for 5

Surprise: RHP Justin Orenduff: 4.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K--1 WP
Surprise: LHP Chuck Lofgren: 0.2 IP, 2 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB
Scottsdale: RHP Osiris Matos: 1.0 IP, 2 H

Four Giants hitters were in the starting lineup.  Rohlinger, playing in just his second AFL game, hit the game's only HR.  Burriss was one of just three Scorpions to reach base twice.  Copeland had his second triple.  Burriss and Copeland both have .333 AVGs, while Frandsen's AVG slipped to .222.  The Dodgers' 20-year-old Lambo, whom BA recently rated the 7th best prospect in the low-A Midwest League after he hit .288/.346/.462 this year, was one of two Rafters with three hits.  The Rafters outhit the Scorpions (11 to 9) but mananged just two runs, in part because the Scorpions had more XBHs (5 to 2).

The Giants' Matos threw 8 of 11 pitches for strikes while retiring two of the four batters he faced in a scoreless 4th inning.  The Dodgers' 25-year-old Orenduff has allowed just 1 ER in both of his AFL starts.  The Indians' Lofgren continues to struggle, now with 11 ER in three AFL appearances.

HWB: Waikiki hosting North Shore was postponed by "power," or presumably a lack thereof

Latin notes:
Mexicali: C Todd Jennings: 0 for 3, BB, SO
Mexicali: RHP Sergio Romo: 1.0 IP, 1 K
Escogido: RHP Julio Mateo: 4.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 0 K
Caribes: Ivan Ochoa: 0 for 4, SH
Caribes: C Eliezer Alfonzo: 1 for 4, 2B
Caribes: RHP Matt Palmer: 1.0 IP, 1 K

Jennings still has just one hit, with his AVG now at .067, but he did catch a shutout.  Romo has earned saves in both his appearances.  Mateo, who could become a minor league free agent within a few days, pitched four scoreless innings in the only Dominican Winter League game that has been played so far.  In the Venezuelan Winter League opener, Ochoa and Alfonzo combined for just one hit, while Palmer earned the save.

AFL 10/13: Scottsdale lost to Mesa 7-0

Scottsdale: SS Emmanuel Burriss: 0 for 2, BB, HBP, 2 SB, CS
Scottsdale: 2B Kevin Frandsen: 0 for 4, SO
Scottsdale: 3B Chris Johnson: 2 for 4, 2B, SO
Scottsdale: CF Ben Copeland: 0 for 1
Mesa: CF John Raynor: 3 for 5, 2B, SB
Mesa: LF Scott Cousins: 2 for 5, HR, 2B

Scottsdale: RHP Kevlin Pichardo: 1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 K--1 HB, 1 WP
Mesa: RHP Tommy Hanson: 2.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 4 K--1 HB

Neither Giants middle infielder had a hit, but Burriss did manage to reach base twice.  His SB/CS line is now 4/2.  Frandsen's AVG dropped to .267.  Copeland, the Giants' other AFL hitter, did not start but did get one plate appearance.  The Astros' Johnson had two of the Scorpions' five hits.  The Marlins' Raynor, who hit .312/.402/.489 in the generally pitcher-friendly Southern League this year, led all players in the game with three hits, raising his AVG to .500 through 18 AB.  Fellow Marlins prospect Cousins, who played his college ball at University of San Francisco, had one of the game's two homers.

The Giants' Pichardo allowed a run while throwing just 9 of 16 pitches for strikes.  Hanson, perhaps the Braves top pitching prospect after his .175 BAA this year, did not allow a hit to any of the dozen batters he faced.

AFL 10/14: Scottsdale lost to Mesa 6-5

Scottsdale: CF Ben Copeland: 2 for 5, 2B
Scottsdale: 2B Drew Sutton: 3 for 5, 2 SO, SB
Scottsdale: PR Emmanuel Burriss: 0 for 0
Mesa: 3B Jason Donald: 2 for 3, 2B, BB

Scottsdale: LHP Alex Hinshaw: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 4 K

Batting leadoff, the Giants' Copeland had two hits, raising his AVG to .346.  The Astros' 25-year-old Sutton was the other Scorpion with multiple hits.  Burriss appeared as a 9th inning pinch runner.  The Phillies' Donald was one of thee Solar Sox hitters with a multiple-hit line, raising his AVG to .412.

Throwing 18 of 22 pitches for strikes, Hinshaw struck out four of the seven batters he faced.  It was his most effective of three AFL appearances.

HWB 10/13: a scheduled off-day

HWB 10/14: Waikiki lost to North Shore 14-5

Waikiki: CF James McOwen: 1 for 3, 2B, 2 BB, SO, CS
Wiakiki: LF Roger Kieschnick: 1 for 4, 3B, 2 SO
North Shore: CF Corey Brown: 2 for 3, HR, 3 BB

Waikiki: RHP Andrew Brackman: 4.0 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 4 BB, 4 K--1 HR, 1 HB, 2 WP
Waikiki: RHP Steven Edlefsen: 1.1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB--1 HR, 1 WP

Kieschnick had his second Hawaiian triple.  No one had two hits for the Beach Boys, but the Mariners' McOwen did reach base three times.  The A's Brown led the Honu's offense with his first Hawaiian homer and three walks.  He has a .386 OBP after 48 AB.

The Yankees' Brackman, who threw just 45 of 84 pitches for strikes, seems to be struggling with his control as he returns from Tommy John surgery.  His ERA rose to 6.14, and his W-L record dropped to 1-3 after four starts.  The Giants' Edlefsen allowed five runs to score, including all thre inherited runners, while recording just four outs.  He threw just 24 of 42 pitches for strikes and was ejected from the game in the middle of the 9th inning.

Mexican note:
Mexicali 10/14: C Todd Jennings: 0 fro 4, 2 SO, GiDP

Jennings' AVG dropped to .083 with the oh-fer.

AFL 10/9: Scottsdale lost to Surprise 8-7 (10 innings)
(after Surprise led 3-2 after 7 innings)

Scottsdale: DH Kevin Frandsen: 0 for 3, HBP, SH, GiDP
Scottsdale: 1B Mark Trumbo: 3 for 5, 2B, 2 SO
Scottsdale: LF-RF Ben Copeland: 0 for 4, HBP, 3 SO
Scottsdale: PH Emmanuel Burriss: 0 for 1, SO
Surprise: CF Julio Borbon: 2 for 4, 2 BB, IBB, 2 SO, SB
Surprise: DH Matt Wieters: 4 for 4, 2B, BB
Surprise: 3B Wes Hodges: 3 for 5, HR

Scottsdale: RHP Kelvin Pichardo: 1.0 IP, 2 K
Scottsdale: RHP Bud Norris: 2.0 IP, 2 H, 2 K
Surpise: RHP Justin Orenduff: 3.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K

In five plate appearances each, Frandsen and Copeland each managed to reach base just one, in both instances after being hit by a pitch.  Burriss, the other Giants hitter in the AFL, struck out in his 9th inning pinch hit appearance.  The Angels' Trumbo had three hits, including his first XBH, to pace the Scorpions' eleven-hit attack.  Given that nearly half his hits were XBH this past season, it's mildly surprising that Trumbo's first five hits in the AFL were all singles.  The Orioles' Wieters, who is very probably the top prospect in all baseball, had four hits, including two doubles, plus a walk.  The Indians' Hodges, who hit 18 HRs this year and whom BA named the 16th best prospect in the Eastern League, had the game's only homer.  The Rangers' Borbon, whom BA recently rated the #8 prospect in the Texas League and #11 prospect in the California League this year, reached base four times in his leadoff role.

The Giants' Pichardo threw 10 of 12 pitches for strikes in a perfect 5th inning.  He and Norris, who may be the Astros best pitching prospect, were the only Scorpions pitchers among six who appeared in the game not to allow an earned run.  The Dodgers' Orenduff, who had an ERA over 6.50 in the PCL this year, was the game's only pitcher to last more than two innings as he threw 29 of 40 pitches for strikes.  He had a 6/1 GO/FO line, desite having a GO/AO ratio well below 1.00 during the regular season.

HWB 10/9: Waikiki lost to Honolulu 3-0 (7 innings)

Waikiki: 1B Yonder Alonso: 1 for 2, BB, SO, E
Waikiki: LF Roger Kieschnick: 0 for 2, BB, SO
Honolulu: SS Ruben Tejada: 1 for 1, 2 BB

Waikiki: RHP Andrew Brackman: 3.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 4 K--2 WP
Honolulu: RHP Satoshi Nagai: 5.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 6 K

Alonso, whom the Reds drafted seventh overall this summer, had one of the Beach Boys' two hits and one of their two walks.  The Giants' Kieschnick had their other walk.  The Mets' 19-year-old Tejada, who had a sub-.600 OPS in the high-A Florida State League this year, reached base in all three plate appearances.

In his third pro start, the Yankees' Brackman struggled with his control, throwing just 38 of 77 pitches for strikes, but he allowed just one run.  Japan's 24-year-old Nagai had his six straight start with five scoreless innings.  He has allowed just two hits in each of his three Hawaiian starts.

AFL 10/8: Scottsdale lost to Peoria Saguaros 10-7

Scottsdale: SS Emmanuel Burriss: 2 for 4, SH, E
Scottsdale: 2B Kevin Frandsen: 3 for 4, HBP, E
Scottsdale: CF Ben Copeland: 2 for 5, 3B
Scottsdale: RF Josh Reddick: 2 for 4, HR, SO
Peoria: RF Baxter: 3 for 3, 2B, BB, SF

Scottsdale: RHP Jared Hughes: 1.1 IP, 2 H, 5 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 1 K--2 HB
Peoria: RHP Adam Ottavino: 2.0 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
Peoria: LHP Aaron Poredo: 1.0 IP, 2 H, 2 K

Burriss and Frandsen played the two middle infield positions and held the first two positions in the Scorpions' batting order.  The three Giants hitters--Burriss, Frandsen and Copeland--had three of the five multi-hit lines for the Scorpions.  After not playing in the AFL season opener the previous day, Frandsen led the Scorpions' fourteen-hit attack with his three singles.  The Red Sox' Reddick, whom BA recently rated the #8 prospect in the Cal League this past year (right behind the Giants' Alderson and Sandoval in that ranking), hit the game's only HR.  The Padres' Baxter had the Saguaro's only multi-hit line.

Neither team's starting pitcher--Hughes from the Pirates organization and Ottavino from the Cardinals--had a very effective start.  Poreda, the White Sox' first round pick a year ago whom BA recently rated the #6 prospect in the high-A Carolina League this past season, was probably the top pitching prospect to appear in the game, and he pitched a scoreless 5th inning.

HWB 10/8: Waikiki lost to Honolulu 3-1 (7 innings)

Waikiki: 1B Yonder Alonso: 1 for 3, HR, BB
Honolulu: RF Dominic Brown: 2 for 3, 2B, SO
Honolulu: 3B Darin Holcomb: 2 for 3, 2B

Waikiki: LHP Yuhei Takai: 5.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 6 K--1 PO, 1 E
Honolulu: RHP Josh Stinson: 4.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 3 K

No Giants player appeared in this game.  Leading the Beach Boys' offense was Alonso, the seventh overall pick by the Reds this year, who hit his first pro HR in the 7th inning.  The Phillies' Brown and the Rockies' Holcomb, who both had OBPs over .380 in the Sally League this year, were the only two players with multi-hit lines in this game.

Takai and the Mets' Stinson both made their second Hawaiian start.  Stinson proved to me much more efficient in this start, throwing just over half as many pitches as Takai.  Both pitchers have ERAs of 1.00 or lower.

AAA: Fresno completed its season on September 1st

AA: Connecticut completed its season on September 1st

A+: San Jose lost in the divisional championship series on September 10th

A-: Augusta defeated West Virginia 4-3
(sweeping the SAL best-of-five championship series)

Augusta: CF Shane Jordan: 1 for 4, BB
Augusta: 2B Nick Noonan: 2 for 5
Augusta: 1B Angel Villalona: 0 for 4, 3 SO, E
Augusta: DH Thomas Neal: 0 for 2, 2 BB
Augusta: 3B Andrew Davis: 1 for 3, BB, SO
West Virginia: 3 for 4, 3B, SO
West Virginia: 1 for 4, HR, GiDP

Augusta: LHP Scott Barnes: 6.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 4 K--1 HR, 2 PO
Augusta: RHP David Mixo: 1.0 IP
Augusta: LHP Andy De La Garza: 2.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 K

Noonan had two of the GreenJackets' five hits, including a two-out, two-RBI single in the 4th inning, as the first batter facing the second of three Power relievers.  Noonan had a post-season AVG of .333, easily the best on the team (next best were .250 and .222).  Jordan, Neal and Davis also reached base twice, although all of them finished with post-season AVGs well below the Mendoza line (.167, .143 and .154).  Villalona suffered the oh-fer with the hat trick but still finished the post-season with an AVG above .200.  For the Brewers' affiliate, Wilson, a 28th round draft pick a year ago out of Harvard, had three hits, while the young Gindl connected for his only post-season HR.  They were among five Power hitters in last night's lineup who finished their post-season with AVGs above .300.

On his 21st birthday, Barnes won his second post-season start.  The three walks was a season high for him, but two of those walks went to the Power's leadoff hitter, whom Barnes picked off both times.  The homer was the first he had allowed as a pro (43.2 IP during the regular season).  Mixon pitched a perfect 7th inning.  De La Garza allowed a run after a triple to lead off the 9th inning, but the tying run never reached base as he had his 3rd post-season save.

ssA: Salem-Keizer lost the NWL championship series on September 7th

R: Giants won NWL championship game on August 31st

DSL: Giants lost DSL championship series on September 5th

Below is a list of the pitchers who had at least 55.0 IP with a full-season affiliate this year.  There were 41 such pitchers, with one (Snyder) reaching 55.0 IP for two different affiliates.

Fresno (11):
4.18 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 143 K in 142.0 IP (26/25 G/GS) by Matt Palmer
6.38 ERA, 1.67 WHIP and 107 K in 139.2 IP (29/27 G/GS) by Victor Santos
4.83 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 69 K in 132.1 IP (21/21 G/GS) by Brad Hennessey
5.70 ERA, 1.61 WHIP and 86 K in 101.0 IP (19/19 G/GS) by Nick Pereira
5.38 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 56 K in 87.0 IP (20/13 G/GS) by Pat Misch
4.80 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 72 K in 80.2 IP (31/11 G/GS) by Ryan Sadowski
6.08 ERA, 1.62 WHIP and 54 K in 66.2 IP (13/12 G/GS) by Steve Hammond
3.39 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 46 K in 66.1 IP (37/4 G/GS) by Erick Threets
3.96 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 46 K in 63.2 IP (41/0 G/GS) by Randy Messenger
5.69 ERA, 1.49 WHIP and 39 K in 61.2 IP (25/6 G/GS) by Julio Mateo
2.66 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 48 K in 61.0 IP (38/0 G/GS) by Geno Espineli

Connecticut (12):
3.78 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 99 K in 157.0 IP (28/28 G/GS) by Garrett Broshuis
2.49 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 112 K in 148.0 IP (27/27 G/GS) by Joseph Martinez
3.76 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 73 K in 138.2 IP (32/23 G/GS) by Adam Cowart
4.57 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 74 K in 124.0 IP (28/22 G/GS) by Dave McKae
3.10 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 47 K in 72.2 IP (46/0 G/GS) by Ronnie Ray
1.37 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 74 K in 65.2 IP (43/0 G/GS) by Justin Hedrick
3.38 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 70 K in 64.0 IP (44/0 G/GS) by Jason Waddell
5.98 ERA, 1.62 WHIP and 44 K in 61.2 IP (13/12 G/GS) by Ben Snyder
2.48 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 62 K in 61.2 IP (46/0 G/GS) by Kelvin Pichardo
1.84 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 22 K in 58.2 IP (18/8 G/GS) by Brooks McNiven
2.64 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 28 K in 58.0 IP (17/10 G/GS) by Nate Bump
4.58 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 45 K in 57.0 IP (19/8 G/GS) by Paul Oseguera

San Jose (11):
2.79 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 124 K in 145.1 IP (26/26 G/GS) by Tim Alderson
3.19 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 135 K in 135.1 IP (26/26 G/GS) by Jesse English
3.02 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 102 K in 125.1 IP (24/24 G/GS) by Kevin Pucetas
3.69 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 84 K in 117.0 IP (24/24 G/GS) by Clayton Tanner
2.00 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 73 K in 85.2 IP (15/14 G/GS) by Ben Snyder
3.36 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 77 K in 77.2 IP (40/0 G/GS) by Steve Edlefsen
3.39 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 74 K in 71.2 IP (46/0 G/GS) by Taylor Wilding
3.28 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 51 K in 60.1 IP (33/0 G/GS) by Dan Griffin
1.53 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 49 K in 59.0 IP (43/0 G/GS) by Juan Trinidad
4.88 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 59 K in 59.0 IP (42/0 G/GS) by Craig Whitaker
4.31 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 58 K in 56.1 IP (12/12 G/GS) by Henry Sosa

Augusta (8):
1.46 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 164 K in 141.2 IP (24/24 G/GS) by Madison Bumgarner
3.77 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 95 K in 136.0 IP (24/22 G/GS) by Oliver Odle
3.51 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 111 K in 115.1 IP (23/21 G/GS) by Craig Clark
2.95 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 72 K in 113.0 IP (23/21 G/GS) by T.J. Brewer
1.55 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 92 K in 104.2 IP (21/13 G/GS) by Daryl Maday
3.33 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 79 K in 78.1 IP (53/0 G/GS) by Andrew De La Garza
2.93 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 45 K in 67.2 IP (13/12 G/GS) by Chance Corgan
3.45 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 48 K in 62.2 IP (40/0 G/GS) by Daniel Turpen

Observations/comments:
a) Would the ERA suggest that Threets is still one of the top three pitching prospects on Fresno's roster?
b) How tough is it to distinguish among Palmer, Hennessey, Pereira and Misch as prospects (although they don't actually all qualify as prospects)?
c) Very solid seasons by Joe Martinez and Justin Hedrick, as well as Ray in the second half.
d) How do Broshuis and Cowart compare as prospects?
e) A great year for the San Jose rotation, led by Alderson.  They were even better than the bullpen for the most part.
f) How do English and Pucetas compare as prospects?
g) Very nice ERAs in Augusta, and they in fact led all minor league baseball in ERA.
h) How do Clark, Brewer, Maday and Corgan compare as prospects?
i) The only pitchers with a K/IP above 1.00 (min 55 IP) were Palmer, Hedrick, Wilding, Bumgarner and three others who barely eclipsed the mark--Waddell, Sosa and De La Garza. 
j) Hedrick, Bumgarner and De La Garza were also the only three pitchers with a WHIP below 1.00 (min 55 IP).  (McNiven and Maday both have WHIPs above 1.00 when you include their stints with all affiliates this year.)

Thanks to everyone for their kind comments.  It was another long season.  Thanks to Baron and Brute for filling in this year a few times.  That really helped to give me a break a few times.  Maybe we'll pick this back up with fall/winter lines from Arizona and Hawaii, although I know that was only a partial success last year.

I probably owe an updated version of my Future Forty list, but I haven't given that too much thought yet.  I don't yet see a lot of changes from my previous edition, although Posey moves in and Schierholtz no longer qualifies.  There are quite a few pitchers, who absent any recent scouting report, I could see them being listed anywhere from #25 to #50 very easily.

AAA: Fresno finished its season on Labor Day

AA: Connecticut finished its season on Labor Day

A+: San Jose lost to Stockton 9-4
(falling behind 7-3 after two innings in the decisive fifth game of the best-of-five division championship series)

San Jose: LF Bobby Felmy: 1 for 4, 2B, SO, GiDP
San Jose: 3B Matt Downs: 2 for 4
San Jose: 2B Brad Boyer: 0 for 2, 2 BB, SO
San Jose: CF Mike McBryde: 1 for 4, 2B
San Jose: RF Tylor Graham: 2 for 4
San Jose: PH Buster Posey: 0 for 1
Stockton: SS Josh Horton: 1 for 3, 2 BB, E
Stockton: 3B Chris Carter: 1 for 3, 2B, 2 BB, SO
Stockton: C Josh Donaldson: 2 for 3, 2B, 2 BB, IBB, SO

San Jose: LHP Jesse English: 1.0+ IP, 5 H, 7 R, 7 ER, 3 BB, 1 K--1 IBB
San Jose: RHP Taylor Wilding: 4.0 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, 6 K--1 E
San Jose: RHP Steven Edlefsen: 2.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB
San Jose: LHP Joe Paterson: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 K
Stockton: RHP Graham Godfrey: 7.0 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 5 K

With two singles each, Downs and Graham accounted for half of the Giants' eight hits, finishing with post-season AVGs of .250 and .333, respectively.  Boyer also reached base twice.  Felmy, who had a 2-RBI double in the 2nd inning, and McBryde, who threw out another runner at the plate, each had their second double of the series, providing the Giants' two XBHs in the series' finale.  After starting four straight games, Posey didn't start the final game, but did appear as a pinch hitter in the 9th inning.  For the A's affiliate, Donaldson reached base four times, helping to keep his post-season AVG above .400.  Horton and Carter reached base three times each.

Two weeks since his last start, English was not up for the challenge of a decisive fifth playoff game.  He retired just three of the eight batters he faced.  Wilding provided long relief.  He allowed all three inherited runners to score but otherwise provided four scoreless innings, but his playoff ERA was still over 5.50.  Edlefsen and Paterson each allowed an earned run in two innings of work.  Two nights earlier the Giants pitching staff had tied a season high by issuing nine walks.  They nearly matched that total once again, but Paterson pitched the final two innings without a walk.  Godfrey had an ERA over 5.00 during the regular season but an ERA of just 1.38 in his two playoff starts.

A-: Augusta had a an off-day for travel before the third game of the SAL championship series

ssA: Salem-Keizer lost the NWL championship series on Sunday

R: Giants won the AZL championship on August 31st

DSL: Giants lost the championship series last Friday

Here is a list of the 37 hitters who had 200+ AB with a full-season affiliate for the Giants this year, sorted by affiliate and sorted by AB within each affiliate.

Fresno (9):
.300/.388/.553 in 477 AB by Scott McClain
.245/.301/.323 in 436 AB by Clay Timpner
.251/.363/.461 in 358 AB by Justin Leone
.315/.338/.577 in 352 AB by Brett Harper
.320/.363/.594 in 350 AB by Nate Schierholtz
.318/.399/.445 in 292 AB by Ivan Ochoa
.277/.353/.405 in 264 AB by Brian Horwitz
.250/.303/.286 in 224 AB by Julio Cordido
.282/.373/.468 in 220 AB by Travis Denker

Connecticut (10):
.298/.333/.469 in 420 AB by Olmo Rosario
.253/.326/.392 in 411 AB by Carlos Sosa
.238/.345/.443 in 400 AB by Adam Witter
.298/.387/.381 in 396 AB by Eddy Martinez-Esteve
.261/.334/.417 in 372 AB by Ben Copeland
.230/.274/.383 in 366 AB by David Maroul
.241/.356/.329 in 365 AB by Antoan Richardson
.226/.302/.312 in 349 AB by Simon Klink
.261/.366/.328 in 348 AB by Kyle Haines
.291/.382/.462 in 234 AB by Travis Ishikawa

San Jose (10):
.283/.340/.385 in 481 AB by Bobby Felmy
.261/.309/.436 in 459 AB by Andy D'Alessio
.266/.321/.395 in 458 AB by Brett Pill
.304/.357/.494 in 437 AB by Matt Downs
.295/.368/.383 in 420 AB by Mike McBryde
.246/.305/.349 in 398 AB by Sharlon Schoop
.264/.324/.330 in 303 AB by Tyler Graham
.285/.368/.419 in 277 AB by Ryan Rohlinger
.359/.412/.597 in 273 AB by Pablo Sandoval
.348/.436/.511 in 264 AB by Brad Boyer

Augusta (8):
.279/.315/.415 in 499 AB by Nick Noonan
.263/.312/.435 in 464 AB by Angel Villalona
.253/.303/.351 in 439 AB by Andrew Davis
.253/.355/.299 in 438 AB by Shane Jordan
.264/.329/.414 in 435 AB by Garrett Baker
.276/.359/.444 in 428 AB by Thomas Neal
.232/.277/.325 in 354 AB by James Simmons
.234/.290/.319 in 282 AB by Charlie Culberson

Comments/observations:
a) Among Fresno's five busiest hitters, three had SLGs better than .550.
b) Despite a MLB callup early in the season, Timpner had a disappointing season.
c) EME lead the team in OBP, but his SLG was lower than his OBP.
d) Copeland's numbers don't stand out at all in comparison to his teammates.
e) Chicks dig the long ball?  How about blog commenters?  How does D'Alessio generate more prospect discussion than McBryde?
f) Downs and Boyer, as well as Sandoval, had breakout type numbers in San Jose, but can they sustain their performance at higher levels?
g) Aside from Jordan (who had a sub-.300 SLG) and Neal (who was primarily a DH after all), avert your eyes from those OBPs.  Maybe OBP is not a prerequisite for a league champion at all.  Only Brock Bond (in 150 AB) managed an AVG above .285.
h) With Noonan's second-half slide, how much separation is there between him and Culberson?

AAA: Fresno finished its season on Labor Day

AA: Connecticut finished its season on Labor Day

A+: San Jose defeated Stockton 2-1
(tying the best-of-five series at two games apiece)

San Jose: 2B Brad Boyer: 2 for 4, SO
San Jose: DH Andy D'Alessio: 1 for 2, 2 BB, SO
San Jose: SS Sharlon Schoop: 1 for 4, 2B
Stockton: SS Josh Horton: 2 for 5, 2B
Stockton: C Josh Donaldson: 2 for 3, 2B, BB

San Jose: RHP Daryl Maday: 5.0 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 8 K
San Jose: RHP Mike Musgrave: 1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB
San Jose: RHP Dan Turpen: 1.2 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, 1 K
San Jose: RHP Danny Otero: 1.1 IP
Stockton: LHP Carlos Hernandez: 6.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 10 K

Boyer had two of the Giants' seven hits, raising his post-season AVG to .267.  D'Alessio, the only other Giant to reach base multiple times, drew both of the Giants' walks.  Schoop's two-RBI, two-out double in the 7th inning was the Giants' only XBH, and Schoop was also the only Giant without a strikeout.  The A's' Donaldson had another big game, reaching base three times.  He and Horton kept their post-season AVGs above .400.

Maday had another fine start.  He did not allow a fly ball out (6/0 GO/FO line after a 1.36 GO/AO ratio this year).  He was arguably outpitched, though, by Hernandez, who made his debut for Stockton after a 2.04 ERA in fourteen appearances (thirteen starts) in the Northwest and Midwest Leagues this summer.  Musgrave, who allowed four baserunners but just one run in the 6th inning, has been credited as the winning pitcher in both of the Giants' post-season victories.  Turpen made his first post-season appearance, while Otero has finished all four games in four consecutive days.  After Musgrave and Turpen allowed half the sixteen batters they faced to reach base, Otero retired all four batters he faced, lowering his post-season ERA to 9.00.

A-: Augusta defeated West Virginia 5-1
(taking a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five series)

Augusta: CF Shane Jordan: 1 for 3, BB, SB
Augusta: C Dayton Buller: 2 for 4, SO, PB
Augusta: 1B Angel Villalona: 1 for 3, HR, BB, GiDP, E
Augusta: RF James Simmons: 1 for 2, BB, SO, 2 SB

Augusta: LHP Madison Bumgarner: 6.0+ IP, 4 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 6 K--1 HB, 1 PO
Augusta: RHP Mitch Lively: 3.0 IP, 3 K

Villalona capped a four-run 6th inning with his two-run HR.  Buller, the only GreenJacket with multiple hits, had two of the team's seven hits.  Jordan and Simmons were the other two GreenJackets to reach base twice.

Bumgarner had another outstanding start, allowing only an unearned run in the 4th inning.  After a single and a one-out double, a passed ball allowed the Power's only run to score before Bumgarner struck out the final two batters of the inning.  The Augusta Chronicle quoted Bumgarner about the close score early in the game, "It was nerve-wracking.... I went out there and didn't have my best stuff."  After Bumgarner allowed a leadoff single in the 7th inning, Lively finished the game with three perfect innings for the save.

ssA: Salem-Keizer lost the NWL championship series on Sunday

R: Giants won the AZL championship game on August 31st

DSL: Giants lost the championship series last Friday