San Francisco Giants Prospect Discussion

i don’t think he would make the top twenty list but I’m a big fan of hector sanchez, great obp with some hitting ability in the dsl. Also thomas neal could be pretty interesting.

by zeisenbe on Dec 21, 2025 7:48 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

thomas neal is an excellent sleeper candidate.

by DuikeBuike on Dec 21, 2025 9:05 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

yes, he is.

Bonds stands alone.

Proud adopted parent of future big league slugger Thomas Neal

by nostocksjustbonds on Dec 21, 2025 9:16 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Why?

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by OldProspects on Dec 21, 2025 11:15 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

He’s considered a “toolsy” player with good power, though he does strike out a little bit. At Augusta, he struck out 103 times in 428 at bats. But he also showed an ability to draw some walks with 48.

As a 20 year old for most of the season at Augusta, he hit .276/.359/.444 with 15 homers, 25 doubles while splitting time between 1b and DH, though he was rumored to be working his way back to being an outfielder after not playing there due to a torn labrum that he sustained in 2007.

He’s not a top 10 kinda guy, but should be in the top 20 and if his power continues to develop, he could really surprise in 2009. He’s got a pretty decent ceiling as he was a top California Juco player when he was drafted. As a right-handed hitter, his power wouldn’t be too hampered by playing in AT&T Park, should he make it to the Giants.

Bonds stands alone.

Proud adopted parent of future big league slugger Thomas Neal

by nostocksjustbonds on Dec 21, 2025 11:47 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks!

I know little about him so am pleased to hear this. When you say “pretty decent ceiling,” what are we talking about? He looks like a potentially solid major leaguer to me - is that a reasonable estimate or do people think he could be more?

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by OldProspects on Dec 22, 2025 12:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

His ceiling, I’d say, is a middle of the order bat. How likely it is that he reaches that ceiling is certainly up to debate as he’s only played one full healthy (more or less) season and just turned 21 in August. He definitely has power. If he could stick in the OF, he’d definitely have a better shot at being a LF for the Giants, but given his size and lack of speed, 1b may be more likely, but that’s where Villalona is slotted, so…

He’ll definitely have to work on improving his contact and being a bit more patient at the plate to make it to the majors as an impact bat. But that’s why he’s a sleeper.

Bonds stands alone.

Proud adopted parent of future big league slugger Thomas Neal

by nostocksjustbonds on Dec 22, 2025 12:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

+1

ive been waiting for a breakout for 2 years I’m also intruiged by the reports of Aaron King’s raw ability

by caincecum on Dec 22, 2025 5:27 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Clayton Tanner

I think because Baum and Alderson are so highly regarded that Tanner gets overlooked some. He will be a solid starter in the majors at a fairly young age.

by NYSOX on Dec 21, 2025 7:58 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

solid is a good word for it. I could see him being a mid-to back of the rotation guy or perhaps an excellent reliever.

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by oldjacket on Dec 21, 2025 9:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

His stuff is pretty ordinary though.

by Dan from NM on Dec 22, 2025 1:41 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

all good pitchers don't throw 97

Tanner is young (if a year older than just-out-of-HS Alderson), gets ground balls, and doesn’t give up HR. Oh, and a lefty. AA should be a big test for him. If he continues the same pattern, I’m on board for back-of-the-rotation starter. Though I’d really like to see lower walk rates, too.

by wcw on Dec 22, 2025 1:58 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Well here is the prospect list we've been working on...

1. SP Madison Bumgarner
2. C Buster Posey
3. SP Tim Alderson
4. 1B Angel Villalona
5. 2B Nick Noonan
6. 3B Conor Gillaspie
7. SP Henry Sosa
8. OF Rafael Rodriguez
9. OF Roger Kieschnick
10. SP Kevin Pucetas
11. 1B Travis Ishikawa
12. OF Wendell Fairley
13. SP Scott Barnes
14. SS Brandon Crawford
15. SS Ehire Adrianza
16. SP Clayton Tanner
17. SP Jesse English
18. SP Joseph Martinez
19. Thomas Neal

Ishikawa, Martinez, and Pucetas are perhaps in a position to make a big impact on next year’s major league team, but besides those three everyone is low minors.

Bumgarner, Alderson, and Posey will probably be in AA next year, so it’ll be interesting to see how they do. As far as we’ve discussed, Villalona has no reason to jump higher than A+ really though. I myself am definitely disappointed there hasn’t been more development with him, but he is super young.

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by WalrusMan on Dec 21, 2025 8:13 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Joseph Martinez

I randomly noticed Joseph Martinez while sorting some Eastern League stats a few weeks ago. Obviously a bit old for the Eastern League, but he had a great FIP, great GB%, and pretty good K/BB rates. I was just wondering how the stuff profiles, and if he could contribute as a big leaguer at all.

I also am curious to see how Pucetas fares this year, and I really wish that Kieschnick could put the bat on the ball a lot more given the rest of his talent.

by jibs on Dec 21, 2025 8:19 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Martinez..

He’s got not much stuff but keeps on producing well enough as he goes up the ladder. I think he could be a decent end of the rotation guy, and if the Giants don’t pick anyone else up then it’ll be a competition between him, Lowry (if he’s healthy) and Pucetas.

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by WalrusMan on Dec 21, 2025 8:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I don't think he's quite good enough

..but I root for him, since word is he’s super nice, smart, and works hard. I’d like to be wrong, but he turns 26 next year.

by wcw on Dec 22, 2025 2:01 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

A few things . . .

A lot of people really liked Ehire Adrianza better than #15.Eddy Martinez-Esteve still has his believers for some reason. I qouldn’t be surprised if either Matt Downs or Jesus Guzman are voted in at number 20.

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by oldjacket on Dec 21, 2025 9:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I think Aaron King

should be in the 13-20 range

by caincecum on Dec 22, 2025 5:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Rafael Rodriguez

Im curious to what people’s thoughts are on the giants big international signing OF Rafael Rodriguez. Big time Power hitting OF.

by FishHead on Dec 21, 2025 8:19 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

too early to tell (duh)

apparently, he has the tools and a good body type (6’5", 198 lbs) and the team wouldn’t have spent $2.55M on a signing bonus if they didn’t believe he had a lot of potential, but at this point, it’s all potential.

Clearly, though, he’s raw and may not have the feel for hitting, but he’s only 16. I’d imagine that team will take it slow with him the same way they did with Villalona, so RR would, at best, start in short-season ball next year (AZL, likely).

Bonds stands alone.

Proud adopted parent of future big league slugger Thomas Neal

by nostocksjustbonds on Dec 21, 2025 8:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Yea

Hell probably get the standard C, C+ from John.

by FishHead on Dec 22, 2025 6:10 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

right. From what i’ve read, John doesn’t give players this young high grades, though just making the top 20 would be something for a 16 year old who hasn’t even put a uniform on yet.

Bonds stands alone.

Proud adopted parent of future big league slugger Thomas Neal

by nostocksjustbonds on Dec 22, 2025 6:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Schierholtz

I know he isn’t a prospect anymore, but it seems like he’s really a legit contact hitter and it doesn’t look like the Giants have made room for him and he’s another lefty. There doesn’t seem like much of a point in letting him rip it up at AAA again. Anyone know about his defense?

by Daniel Berlyn on Dec 21, 2025 8:25 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

The way we see it..

Wee hope that Bochy uses a 4 OF rotation, with Lewis in left, Rowand in center, Schierholtz in right, and Winn filling in at all positions. Hopefully they’d all get the same amount of at bats and then we’d be in a position to evaluate who to keep.

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by WalrusMan on Dec 21, 2025 8:34 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Oh..

And he’s got no more options I’m pretty sure, so he’ll be with the team. His defense in right has the team liking it. He’s always had a cannon of an arm.

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by WalrusMan on Dec 21, 2025 8:36 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Problems with this theory

is that they have made commitments to Rowand and Winn, both good for 600+ PAs, and then you have one or two spots to give to three hitters, all of whom hit from the same side of the plate. Then there’s the issue that Sandoval might not be adequate at third and you’re trying out Ishikawa at first, maybe. I have to wonder if it would just be smarter to have Posey at third and Sandoval at catcher long-term, but that’s a different issue.

Anyway, it comes down to the fact that someone’s getting shorted and/or a potentially deserving player has to go back to AAA and/or play out of position. It seems like someone should go to bring back other help, and that would probably be Schierholtz or Lewis. Or maybe they can play Nate at first and Ishi will bust, but if everyone is at least average, which is a decent possibility, it’s still sort of out of wack. These things play themselves out, I know, but it’s definitely jammed up a bit. I guess you could see if you could work around Winn’s NTC and sell him on a one year deal, but I don’t know how many teams are looking for his type of skill-set for one year.

by Daniel Berlyn on Dec 21, 2025 8:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Nate can play third….

Aaron King is still my homeboy... iffy mechanics and all.

by baetown415 on Dec 21, 2025 9:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

He was decent there at the JUCO level, but I dont see him being able to handle it at the MLB level

I Don't Tolerate Intolerance!

by Giant among Angels on Dec 21, 2025 9:36 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

[joke]

Aaron King is still my homeboy... iffy mechanics and all.

by baetown415 on Dec 21, 2025 9:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

So is his plate discipline

Schierholtz will never amount to anything at the major league level.

by slurve on Dec 22, 2025 8:26 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

that's a pretty crude evaluation

lots of guys without discipline become above average or great, if only for a while. You’re ruling out any possibility of him becoming a utility player when he’s shown he can hit at the major league level in a small sample size. I think I’ll just keep believing he has a good chance at contributing in the majors.

by Daniel Berlyn on Dec 22, 2025 12:34 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Well

you can keep believing in Schierholtz and wish in the other and see which get’s you farther.

lots of guys without discipline become above average or great</em?

Um…. not so much. There’s iffy plate discipline then there’s really bad plate discipline. If you can’t walk - you can’t be effective at the plate - especially when the walk rate is as miniscule as Nate’s.

by slurve on Dec 22, 2025 1:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I guess we'll have to agree to disagree

by Daniel Berlyn on Dec 22, 2025 1:34 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

That is how Slurve does it.

He makes crude evaluations and then resorts to insults when they are questioned.

I am Cameron Wood and this is my son and business partner CW Culberson.

by camwoody on Dec 22, 2025 10:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

True, but Rowand’s been terrible for the Giants, and I suspect Nate can steal some time from him (with Winn in center). I think he’ll get 350-400 at-bats in a part-time role.

by Dan from NM on Dec 22, 2025 1:39 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

jorge bucardo anything on him

by Bravesin07 on Dec 21, 2025 8:48 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Well, he did very well in Rookie ball

51:15 in 51.1 IP. His stuff seems to be alright - and okay FB but a better slider. Who’s his brother?

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by OldProspects on Dec 21, 2025 11:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Young, with a high 80s fastball.

by Dan from NM on Dec 22, 2025 1:36 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Terrible or not

which is debatable in itself(whether he will be terrible next year is another issue), but it’s hard to justify giving a guy so much money to keep him doing from what he does, which is playing every day possible.

by Daniel Berlyn on Dec 22, 2025 12:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

/Over GAA’s head

I Don't Tolerate Intolerance!

by Giant among Angels on Dec 21, 2025 9:50 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Barnes

I feel like that’s a guy to keep an eye on, even if he shouldn’t be ranked all that highly this year. He dominated in A, but was old for his level. If he can play with the guys his age, he could rocket up the depth chart.

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by oldjacket on Dec 21, 2025 9:58 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

He wasn't that old

and his stats are pretty disgustingly good. (K:BB of 63:12 in 43 IP, the large majority in A ball at age 20). What’s his story? What kind of pitches does he have, etc?

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by OldProspects on Dec 21, 2025 10:47 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Supposedly throws about 90 with major-league-average stuff generally. His delivery has a head jerk that makes him deceptive.

by Dan from NM on Dec 22, 2025 1:37 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Tweakers

Either Barnes or King supposedly had their delivery tweaked by the Giants’ staff, resulting in a couple extra ticks on the heater. I’m thinking it was Barnes.

Tyler Walker, my son, it's time you left the nest. No seriously. Go.

by multiphasic on Dec 22, 2025 3:26 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Barnes tweaked his mechanics when he was still at St. John’s and was a lot more effective after that. His FB went from mid-80s to low 90s with better command of his secondary stuff.

Bonds stands alone.

Proud adopted parent of future big league slugger Thomas Neal

by nostocksjustbonds on Dec 22, 2025 6:49 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

crap, I thought he was older than that.

If he puts up numbers like that for a whole season he’ll fly through the system.

The Denker bus is now bound for San Diego. Those who were passengers on it are now angrily stranded at a gas station in Modesto, CA. Not much about baseball here .

by oldjacket on Dec 22, 2025 11:04 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Pucetas

I always thought he was a sleeper, but now he seems to be highly regarded all of the sudden…..:(

So now I really like Aaron King, Wendell Fairley, and Thomas Neal.

Anybody know what happened to Jared Cranston? He struck out 85 in 65 IP in 07 but didn’t pitch at all last year. He seemed like a promising LHP.

by Hobbes2d on Dec 22, 2025 12:30 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Cranston retired.

Bonds stands alone.

Proud adopted parent of future big league slugger Thomas Neal

by nostocksjustbonds on Dec 22, 2025 12:39 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

A complaint

With the pitching depth this team has, could Sabean pick up a freaking bat so this team can contend? Posey will move quickly, but the Giants need a middle of the order bat badly. With the pitching they have and the division they play in, a star hitter might very well propel them into contention. They’ve got the depth to deal for a hitter, and it would be encouraging to see them do so. Lincecum and Cain shouldn’t have to fight for wins nearly as much as they do.

/end rant

by Fanon on Dec 22, 2025 1:06 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

they seem unwilling to trade pitching

but at some point they’ll have to since its hard to attract hitting fa’s to that park

by Asfan4ever723 on Dec 22, 2025 1:10 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I think that aspect of fa recruiting is vastly overrated personally. I strongly suspect that the giants would have no issues signing hitters, regardless of their ballpark, if they were to offer those hitters the most money.

Idolizing Robb Nen since 2002...

by Smoke on the Water on Dec 22, 2025 1:27 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I don't buy it

Who have they actually tried to sign?

by Fanon on Dec 22, 2025 1:27 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

the one of the top of my head

is carlos lee, who i believe was offered more to play with the giants.

by zeisenbe on Dec 22, 2025 2:09 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

We were in on Soriano and Vlad, too.

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by oldjacket on Dec 22, 2025 10:59 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

In on vs. all out

They were in on a lot of guys, but it strikes me as being very similar to the way Steve Phillips’ Mets were in on a lot of guys. Sure, they were in on A-Rod, and Vlad, and Juan Gonzalez, but for the most part the offers they made to top free agents were below what the players ultimately signed for. The Giants have been in discussions on a lot of guys, but they’ve typically bid low or dropped out of the bidding on top guys. The Zito contract doesn’t help the situation, and he’s really the only guy who they blew the competition out of the water on. I don’t know about Carlos Lee, but I really don’t think that top hitters are avoiding signing with them because of their ballpark. Ultimately, it’s got a lot more to do with the fact that they don’t have any protection in the lineup for whoever they sign and they aren’t offering the guys enough money to begin with.

by Fanon on Dec 22, 2025 11:09 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

well the case with lee

was that he owned a ranch in texas and preferred to live there.

by zeisenbe on Dec 22, 2025 5:34 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

As I recall, taxes in each state made a HUGE difference as well.

When I was a kid I used to pray every night for a new bicycle. Then I realized God doesn’t work that way, so I stole one and prayed for forgiveness. - Emo Philips

Neglectful father of David Quinowski

by marcello on Dec 22, 2025 6:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Yep

That’s why I’m still not willing to buy the argument that the Giants have bid the same or more than someone else for a hitter and lost out because of their park.

by Fanon on Dec 22, 2025 7:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The difference between living in Houston and SF (at the time) was about 50%.

The cost of living in the SF Bay Area is a lot.

Bonds stands alone.

Proud adopted parent of future big league slugger Thomas Neal

by nostocksjustbonds on Dec 23, 2025 12:44 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I think..

That when the time comes for Alderson and Bumgarner to be in the rotation with Cain, Lincecum, Zito, and Sanchez still there they will be interested in trading one of them.

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by WalrusMan on Dec 22, 2025 8:47 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

It's also hard to attract hitting FAs

…when you can’t offer top dollar contracts since you already tied up $18.5M for a 5th starter type and $6.5M for a pinch runner.

by jibs on Dec 22, 2025 12:15 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

It just comes down to

the Giants(Sabean? McGowan?) making bad decisions in the past, and the Renteria signing isn’t making me hopeful for them.-

by Daniel Berlyn on Dec 22, 2025 12:40 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Godawful signings

Renteria, Roberts, Rowand, and Zito combine for what? $40 million? $45 million? For a league average (at best) shortstop with crappy defense; a leadoff hitting center fielder who wasn’t very good to begin with and saw his position taken; the mediocre and declining center fielder who took his job; and a below replacement level starting pitcher who keeps his job mostly because of his absurd contract. And that’s not even getting into Bengie Molina and Randy Winn, two guys who I’m a little less hostile to but still give reason for pause.

by Fanon on Dec 22, 2025 5:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Mrah? Winn and Molina have given the Giants excellent value.

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by oldjacket on Dec 22, 2025 5:53 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Winn, certainly

Molina if he could play defense and run, but he can’t. And Rowand if he’d returned to defensive form, but he appears to have fallen off the cliff.

Zito and Roberts were indefensible the day they were inked, and I am deeply skeptical of Renteria, but the others strike me as acceptable bets.

by wcw on Dec 22, 2025 8:10 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Could Molina ever run?

/deer head
Bay City Ball

by xanthan on Dec 23, 2025 9:07 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

the only thing wrong with them...

having Molina is that he’s blocking Sandoval. Otherwise, a number of teams would be happy to have him at such a reasonable price.

Psycho killer, qu'est-ce que c'est?

by shikantaza on Dec 23, 2025 9:10 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Zito's Shadow

I think the shadow of the Zito contract makes all other contracts given out by the Giants questionable. We should bear in mind that Zito could rebound somewhat. His contract has already proven to be more “reasonable” than the Hampton deal. Winn and Molina have lived up to their numbers. From a distance, it seems that Rowand was solid last year, although I don’t know how he handled his defensive duties. Roberts was an unmitigated disaster. Worse than the money is the waste of a roster space. Assuming the contract is in its final year, the Giants would be better served by biting the bullet and letting him go. Finally, considering the alternatives, I believe the Renteria contract is reasonable, doesn’t block anyone better and won’t cost the Giants a draft pick.

by ofsticksandbats on Dec 23, 2025 9:31 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I disagree

No offense, but the Zito contract is by no means more reasonable than the Hampton deal. Considering Zito is working in one of the best pitcher’s parks in the majors while totally sucking, while Hampton was working in the worst environment for pitchers in the majors while totally sucking. Don’t forget that Hampton put together a couple decent years in Atlanta before getting hurt. Now, the way I see it, if Zito is to match Hampton’s production, he’s going to have at least at least two decent, healthy years, as Hampton had two at Turner Field, which isn’t nearly the pitcher’s park that San Francisco is. What made Hampton’s deal so godawful was that he got hurt for much of the contract; that could still happen to Zito, and he still hasn’t put up the couple halfway decent years that Hampton did.

by Fanon on Dec 23, 2025 9:22 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Do the Giants actually have pitching depth?

The lower minors have a decent number of guys, but very few that project as anything better than a fifth starter. The upper minors are pretty bereft of real pitching talent, and if anybody in the rotation goes down the Giants will be trotting out soft tossers like Misch and Martinez.

The Denker bus is now bound for San Diego. Those who were passengers on it are now angrily stranded at a gas station in Modesto, CA. Not much about baseball here .

by oldjacket on Dec 22, 2025 1:53 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

+1

It’s not really pitching depth when most of the pitching prospects have the upside of 5th starter or good high-leverage reliever.

Aaron King is still my homeboy... iffy mechanics and all.

by baetown415 on Dec 22, 2025 2:16 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Not that much

After I made the post I went through and checked out their system in more depth, and it’s not that great. It’s more that I just think it’s a shame Lincecum and Cain don’t have any offense backing them up.

by Fanon on Dec 22, 2025 8:38 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

This is all true.

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by oldjacket on Dec 22, 2025 11:01 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

top heavy system

not much depth..especially position players

by Asfan4ever723 on Dec 22, 2025 1:08 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

I disagree to a certain extent about the position players

Posey and Villalona are encompassed in the “top heavy” part, but I think there are enough other useful players in the system to consider it to have decent position player depth.

Conor Gillaspie will never be a star, but he puts the bat on the ball, is a smart baserunner and has a good chance to outplay his tools given his makeup/work ethic. He looks likely to be able to hold down 3b for them as an average-ish MLB regular, so in the years before he hits FA that’s a useful player.

I also think that Jesus Guzman looks like a really nice late-bloomer that has a very good shot to emerge as their starting 3b in spring training.

Noonan’s stats in 2008 were not great, but many people still believe in his bat and he’s still pretty widely seen as their 2b of the future.

Kieschnick has tools galore, granted the strikeout rate is frightening. Still a guy with that kind of upside is good to have in the system in case he is able to figure things out to the point where his power and defense can be put to good use.

Matt Downs has been old for every league he’s been in, but he’s also hit at every step of the way and didn’t embarrass himself in a short stint at AAA at the end of the year.

Brandon Crawford doesn’t have a lot of pro data, but he’s a good athlete that was once seen as a first round talent at SS/2b out of UCLA, and slid to the 4th round due to a mediocre junior year in 2008.

Granted they don’t have multiple star-level prospects stacked upon each other at the same position, but the system is not devoid of potential big league contributors.

by jibs on Dec 22, 2025 12:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Don't Forget:

Don’t forget about:

Interesting Players

Ishikawa - Who had a break out season and is the front runner to be the starting 1B at the ML level
EME - Who if he can re-find a portion of his power could be a nice player and at worst could be a Mark Sweeney Type with higher average. Looks real good in Winter ball next year. Fresno should help him.
Adrianza - Young SS getting a lot of hype from BA
Neal - Could be a breakout candidate; reportedly has “light tower power”
Hector Sanchez - A favorite by some big blog talkers had a great DSL season

Could be a factor:

Adam Witter - At least I like him (power + BB’s - Avg = At least ML Backup catcher) I think he could really breakout in AAA next year
Brett Pill - poor first 2 pro years but may be a slow developer
Mike McBryde - Could be a nice CF with avg. and speed and killer arm. Could be converted to reliever
Jackson Williams - horrible overdraft but catch and throw skills should carry him to the majors as a nice backup Catcher
Josh Mazzola - One of my favorites, NDFA destroyed AZL could be pushed quickly since he’s a bit older
Brad Boyer - destroyed High A but struggled with a promotion to AA.
Culberson - Has really struggled with performance and injuries but he’s still very young
Michael Ambort - short season catcher destroyed the league last year after finally being healthy needs to be pushed quickly because of age

by Keenlow on Dec 23, 2025 1:41 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Witter

I’ve always liked Witter’s hitting potential too - however, I don’t think his defense will be good enough for a back up big-leaguer.

by aGIANTfan on Dec 23, 2025 7:07 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Brandon Crawford

What’s the word on him? He was highly hyped at UCLA and was thought of as a possible first rounder, but didn’t hit as well as people thought he might.

The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. It reminds us of all that once was good, and that could be again.

by Savoy on Dec 22, 2025 1:17 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

I think Neal, Adrianza and Barnes are decent bets as sleepers.

by Dan from NM on Dec 22, 2025 1:40 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Conor Gillaspie

I’m really having a difficult time getting info about this guy. Seems odd that they brought him up so early. Does anyone know anything about him and have any idea what he’ll wind up as? Will he stay at 3b or possibly move to 2b?

Anyone like him and why? Any insight would be appreciated.

by The Colonel on Dec 22, 2025 3:54 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

What we figured..

The reason why he was brought up so early must have been some sort of handshake deal. He was looking for big bucks signing bonus and didn’t get all he wanted. So instead of giving him more in a signing bonus, he was just brought up earlier and had his options start earlier. He’s supposed to be such a polished hitter that he’ll be able to start in a few years anyway.

He’s probably got the glove for 3B but not “the bat.”

The Basil Fawlty Moderating Strategy:
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by WalrusMan on Dec 22, 2025 8:49 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Gillaspie

So, Walrus, you’re saying he’s a polished hitter but not “the bat.” I’m assuming you’re talking about power. So, does he wind up at 2b or does he fall into a UTIF position in the future. Is he kind of like a Blake DeWitt in a sense? Polished for a young hitter but not the power for 3b, so now DeWitt is being tried out at 2b. ?

by The Colonel on Dec 22, 2025 12:53 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Perhaps..

So young anyway you can’t tell. This is definitely something that is happening to Ryan Rohlinger though.

The Basil Fawlty Moderating Strategy:
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by WalrusMan on Dec 22, 2025 7:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Actually Rohlinger’s got the power, just not the polish. Hitting HRs is about the only kind of contact ability he’s shown.

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

by Roger on Dec 23, 2025 1:09 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I’ll agree with the to young to tell… he did win the 2007 Cape MVP because of the bat. Only 7 dingers but good for third in the league as I recall

by dogdays on Dec 23, 2025 3:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Best guess

He wanted a major league deal but the Giants didn’t want to give him one, as they were trying to avoid that with Buster Posey (or, at the very least, trying to use that as a negotiating chip) and doing so with Gillaspie would have killed their leverage. So they worked around it by giving him a minor league deal and agreeing to promote him to the majors in September. So he ended up on the 40 man roster, in effect giving him a major league deal.

by mrkupe on Dec 22, 2025 10:27 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Jose Casilla

is a pitcher from rookie ball that has some pretty good stuff, reportedly.

I hold out hope for Culberson, despite the struggles he’s had his first 2 seasons - he showed improvement in each of them, although last year was cut short due to injury.

Waldis Juaquin has a great arm, but time is running out on him. Henry Sosa has done much better, but is in the same boat, to an extent.

What about all the middle relief candidates we have - Sadler, Romo, Matos, etc? Anyone think they have potential to impact a ML roster?

One last name - Kyle Nicholson. Old for the AZ league, but put up phenomenal numbers and has solid stuff. Possible sleeper?

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

by tedfordfan on Dec 22, 2025 9:59 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Romo is already having an impact, he was our set-up man by the end of the year. Matos really needs another year in the minors, and I think Sadler might be one of those guys who doesn’t put it together until he’s with his third or fourth team.

The Denker bus is now bound for San Diego. Those who were passengers on it are now angrily stranded at a gas station in Modesto, CA. Not much about baseball here .

by oldjacket on Dec 22, 2025 11:09 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Romo

Yeah, I know he was up for a while last year and did well, but the question is always about his stuff. He’s succeeded at every level, but reports have his stuff as mediocre. So I guess the question is: will he regress as the league adjusts to him? I’m inclined to think that he’s got enough variety in his repertoire and intelligence on the mound that he won’t.

Can Sadler ever get control of his pitches? If so, he’s an impact reliever, but until then, he’s AAA fodder.

And I really don’t have a feel for Matos at all.

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

by tedfordfan on Dec 23, 2025 1:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Adam Cowart

I have always loved him. Not a great prospect, but I’m rooting for him to make the majors.

The Dodgers won't win a playoff series until the Cool-a-Coo returns.

by mckeeno on Dec 22, 2025 10:24 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Interested in...

some guys ready to contribute at the major league level that might be overlooked.

Ishikawa: After last year’s AA/AAA performance, is he ready to be a full-time starter?
Hinshaw/Romo/Matos: Very interesting numbers from the young relief trio.
Denker: Do the Giants see him as an option at 2B? Should they? Great AAA numbers in his first try there.

by DrunkIrish on Dec 22, 2025 10:53 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Oops

Forgot Denker got claimed by San Diego when the Giants foolishly tried to pass him through waivers. Who needs an .800 OPS at 2B anyway?

by DrunkIrish on Dec 22, 2025 10:56 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

that sh*t made me furious

The Denker bus is now bound for San Diego. Those who were passengers on it are now angrily stranded at a gas station in Modesto, CA. Not much about baseball here .

by oldjacket on Dec 22, 2025 11:00 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Brian Sabean math

Jose Castillo>young talent

by Fanon on Dec 22, 2025 11:12 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I think

he did that on purpose!

by dogdays on Dec 23, 2025 3:38 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Jose Valdez?

I heard some good things about this huge young kid a year back..then he didnt pitch hardly in 2008..any idea about him?

by NYSOX on Dec 22, 2025 11:37 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Jason Jarvis

He could be a sleeper. Jarvis profiles as a reliever, but he’s got a good fastball (hit 97 in brief stint in 2008) and improving changeup to go with his aggressive mentality. He’s got some makeup issues, but hopefully that won’t be an issue.

Bonds stands alone.

Proud adopted parent of future big league slugger Thomas Neal

by nostocksjustbonds on Dec 22, 2025 11:57 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

+1

Good call on Jarvis.

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

by tedfordfan on Dec 22, 2025 12:23 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Luis Perdomo

The giants took him in the Rule 5 draft and many people were surprised that he was available. I think that if he sticks with the club he has a good chance to deliever.

by gore51 on Dec 22, 2025 3:14 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Mike Loree

Old for his level, but absurdly filthy this year.

Tyler Walker, my son, it's time you left the nest. No seriously. Go.

by multiphasic on Dec 22, 2025 3:33 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Relievers

Romo/Hinshaw/Sadler all HAVE to make it in the top 20 this year.

Romo held hitters to a .138 OBA this year in the majors, which is ridiculous.

Hinshaw and Sadler combined for 48.2 innings, a .163 OBA, and 62 K’s in AAA, and both did well at the major league level, enough to secure bullpen spots.

Sadler is a question mark with the inconsistency, but his high 90’s fastball and snapdragon curve and his 2.02 ERA in his last 10 big league appearance’s should answer all questions

by CptLivingston on Dec 22, 2025 7:47 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Romo, Hinshaw, and Sadler are all uneligible for “prospects” if you’re looking at a 45 day limit. They’re all still under 50 IP, Sadler barely.

I’d agree that Romo deserves talk, as do Hinshaw and Sadler but they deserve much lower talk. They have so many problems with control compared to Romo.

The Basil Fawlty Moderating Strategy:
"We could run a nice blog here if we didn't have all these members getting in the way."

by WalrusMan on Dec 22, 2025 9:27 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I find Sadler to be less a question mark than a string of expletives.

The Denker bus is now bound for San Diego. Those who were passengers on it are now angrily stranded at a gas station in Modesto, CA. Not much about baseball here .

by oldjacket on Dec 22, 2025 10:24 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs