In honor of the phenomenal rise of Pablo Sandoval through the Giants system, I am researching every team’s farm system for the player that most raised his stock within his respective organization. All of these players were exempt from Baseball America’s 2008 team Top 10s, and most were not ranked in John’s Top 20s. To qualify, a player must have over a year’s pro service as of the end of the 2008 season, so no one drafted or signed in 2008 will be considered.

This will be a six-part series, with one installment for each division. I’m going from the gut on these, so I’m sure there will be some discrepancies in opinion. Feel free to note any players that are more deserving. However, please crosscheck to be sure your choices are not on the above mentioned prospect lists. (Or, if a player is listed deep in the Sickles Top 20, make sure your choice is lower on the list.)

So, the first installment of the Pablo Sandoval Award will feature the National League West. Enjoy….

Arizona – Kyler Newby, RHP ~ With a farm system that has quickly diminished in depth due to acquisitions for big leaguers, the D-Backs will be depending on a lot median talent to fill out the system. Josh Whitesell is sure to be one of the several names to rise on the prospect chart. The Pablo Award however goes to right-hander Kyler Newby, who has emerged as one of the best pitching prospects in the system. Newby was sidelined for most of 2007 by an elbow injury, but was fairly dominant in the hitter-friendly California League this year. Featuring a devastating changeup to compliment a fastball/splitter combo, he totaled 16 saves in 67 innings of work for Visalia, striking out 86 while walking 30, and was more effective against lefties, holding them to a .165 batting average.

Colorado – Darin Holcomb, 3B ~ Recently being named the Sally League MVP, Holcomb has emerged as a legit late-blooming prospect, much like fellow Gonzaga alum Jason Bay. Holcomb has drawn comps to Garrett Atkins for his strike zone discipline. He struck out just 60 times against 65 walks this year in 509 at bats, and impressed with a .318 batting average. Based on his 5-foot-11 frame, he could be a candidate for a conversion to second base. However he may have enough power to remain at third or move to a corner outfield. He had 46 doubles this year at Ashville, so may have more of a power ceiling than his 14 homeruns would indicate.

Los Angeles – Matthew Wallach, C ~ Carlos Santana would have given even Pablo Sandoval some competition for the Pablo Award in the NL West until he was traded to Cleveland for Casey Blake. Otherwise, there isn’t a lot of surging talent in the Dodgers system. There is a lot of opportunity in the system at the catcher position though. While nepotism is certainly not the end-all for prospect scouting, Wallach is looking more and more like a chip off the block of his old man, Tim. Although he was repeating the rookie-class Pioneer League this season, he improved his slugging percentage by over .100 points, boosting it to .571 in 184 at bats. As a left-handed hitter, he hit went 21 for 60 against southpaws. Meanwhile he has demonstrated solid tools behind the plate and proved he can catch on a daily basis.

San Diego – Jackson Quezada, RHP ~ The Padres had a lot of notable contenders – including OF Luis Durango and 2B Eric Sogard – for the Pablo Award. Quezada rose to the top of chart though with 27 saves in the Midwest League. Coming off a decent 2007, the right-hander held opponents to a mere .180 batting average in 2008, while striking out 79 against 19 walks in 63.2 innings. He features a low-90s fastball, and has advanced sinking movement. It is possible the 22-year old, 170-pound Dominican will add velocity as he continues to grow into his 6-foot-4 frame.

San Francisco – Pablo Sandoval, C ~ The award is named after him because he has defied every scouting bureau in the world. He plays the toughest position in baseball. He is a switch hitter. He was in A-ball at the all-star break. Yet, Pablo Sandoval has came out of nowhere and has emerged as one of the premier hitting prospects in all of baseball. He combined to hit .350 between two levels of minor-league ball in the Cali and Eastern Leagues, and has kept on keeping on, hitting over .330 since being promoted to the big leagues. He best comps to Max Ramirez both sides of the ball, though he has more versatility on defense as he can play first and third in addition to catcher, which will be very useful in getting him at bats to keep his valuable bat fresh.