Where the Giants' top prospects are now

[Bear]

By Mark Emmons
memmons@mercurynews.com
Posted: 08/05/2009

What They're Doing Now

Buster Posey: San Francisco's catcher of the future is hitting .258 with one homer and nine RBIs in 16 games at Triple-A Fresno.

Madison Bumgarner: Left-hander who is among baseball's top pitching prospects has a 7-1 record with a 2.01 ERA at Double-A Connecticut.

Brandon Crawford: The Mountain View native and shortstop, who hit .371 in San Jose this season, has a .253 average at Double-A Connecticut

Tim Alderson: Traded to Pittsburgh, he was in top form for Double-A Altoona in his first start, giving up one earned run in 52/3 innings.

Scott Barnes: Dealt to Cleveland, he has no decisions in two starts with a 2.79 ERA at Class-A Kinston.

Craig Whitaker: Recently was called up to Double-A Connecticut.

Angel Villalona: Heralded hitting prospect likely will celebrate his 19th birthday next week in Arizona as he continues rehabbing a quadriceps injury.

A little update!

[SF Kid]

Thanks Bear!

[McCovey]

No mention of Thomas Neal? Hmmp...

[WillTheThrill]

This is from Bruce Jenkins, updates on a few Giants prospects (and one that "got away")...

Giants fans don't need to hear any more raves about Buster Posey or Madison Bumgarner, so clearly placed among the minor leagues' top prospects. It was interesting, though, to read Baseball America's recent "Best Tools" rundown throughout organized baseball. San Jose outfielder Thomas Neal was named Best Batting Prospect in the Class A California League, and teammate Roger Kieschnick was Best Power Prospect.

Neal, who turned 22 this week, is hitting .332 in 111 games as the San Jose left fielder, with 37 doubles, 18 homers and 74 RBIs. He was drafted out of Riverside JC in 2005 after starring at Poway High, near San Diego. Kieschnick, playing right field, has hit 23 homers in 114 games, with a .298 average and 94 RBIs. He was the Giants' No. 3 pick in the 2008 draft, out of Texas Tech University. The Giants aren't certain that either has big-league starting potential, but they seem to be on the right track.

Other bits of info from Baseball America:

# At the Triple-A level, Fresno pitcher Kevin Pucetas was tabbed for Best Control, and Ryan Rohlinger was Best Defensive Third Baseman.

# Shortstop Brandon Crawford, who tore up the California League in his 25 games with San Jose, has struggled at Double-A Connecticut.

# Tim Alderson, recently shipped to Pittsburgh in the Freddy Sanchez deal, got this review from the magazine's editor-in-chief, John Manuel: "He shows excellent command despite a funky delivery. He still throws a plus curveball. However, one front-office executive said his club's scouts have always had Alderson's fastball sitting in the 86-90 mph range, nothing more. Many scouts have long considered his combination of intimidating height (6-7), command, deception and one plus pitch to be a perfect fit at the back of a bullpen. That still seems like the best fit."