RealGM

The Arizona Fall League has become a sort of all-star offseason league over the last few years. A lot of top young talent get their start here before their rookie campaign. A few young Giants had a great showing.

((Listed in my order of the impression they made.))

Nate Schierholtz - .348 AVE, 4 HR, 10 RBI in 23 games.
Start in LF next season? I for one hope so.

Eugenio Velez - .303 AVE, 1 HR, 9 RBI, 13 R, 14/15 SB in 17 games.
The picture perfect leadoff hitter for Pac Bell. Only questions is finding a possition for him. Do you move Frandsen to 3b so Velez can play 2b?

Brian Anderson - 0.00 ERA, 0-1, 4 SV, 9 SO, 1 BB in 12.1 innings of relief.
Continues to dominate no matter what level he piches on. Has led or has been amoung the leaders in minor leage saves for the past two seasons. How about Anderson in the 7th, Brad Hen in the 8th and Wilson to close in the 9th? That could turn into a deadly combo for the next few years.

Manny Burriss - .365 AVE, 0 HR, 6 RBI, 9 R, 8/9 SB in 17 games.
Any questions reguarding his ability to play pro ball went a long way to being answered in Arizona. Still needs one more minor league season but he should be our SS for the next 7-10 years.

Nick Pereira - 3.38 ERA, 4-1, 26 SO, 14 BB in 29.1 innings.
This spot was supposed to go to Sanchez but with the injury the Giants brought in Pereira. There does not appear to be enough room on the Giants staff for this kid (or he could have made a Lowry or a Lincecun expendable) so watch for his name to be included as a major trade piece sometime this spring. This kid can be a very good number 2 or 3 starter on a lot of teams.

Here's the final results:

Brian Anderson - 4 saves, 12 1/3 IP, 9 K/1 BB, 8 H

Showed a decent cut fastball that barely touched 90, his slider is a decent 2nd pitch. Doesn't project well as a setup man/closer, more like long to middle relief. Look for him in Fresno.

Emmanuel Burriss - .365/.450/.423, 3 K/6 BB, 8 SB

Not much power here and his offensive output could be entirely dependent on his BA. Excellent base-stealing skills. Has good range at SS but his arm is below average. Will likely start at AA with Connecticut, with a possible in season call up to Fresno, depending on performance.

Nick Pereira - 29 1/3 IP, 26 K/14 BB, 29 H, 3.38 ERA

Fastball rates about average but his breaking pitches are good and his changeup as well. Works around the high 80's and has a tendency to walk batters at times, which doesn't bode well. Likely projects as a back of the rotation piece and could be the first callup from Fresno if the Giants are struck with an injury to a pitcher, relief or starting.

Sergio Romo - 14 IP, 16 K/4 BB, 12 H, 0.64 ERA

Sidearmer relies a lot on deception and thats likely the reason for his high K totals in the lower levels. Fastball barely touches the high 80's but his changeup is solid against lefties, which mean he could be more than a ROOGY. Likely starts in Double A but wouldn't be surprised if he jumped to Fresno. He could make it as a middle reliever but nothing more.

Nathan Schierholtz - .348/.363/.596, 4 HR, 12 K/1 BB

Showed good contact and solid power in Scottsdale. Sounds good until you get into the walks. Only 1 walk in 90 PA in Scottsdale, project that over a season and your looking at someone that could struggle to get 10 walks in a season. Its a trend that works in the minors because of his solid contact rates but the majors are a whole different ballgame. He needs to improve his pitch recognition or else he's going to get handled at this level. He likely needs another half season in AAA but look for the Giants to get him some PA's during the season.

Eugenio Velez - .303/.329/.461, 1 HR, 17 K/3 BB, 14 SB

Shows good speed on the basepaths. Offensively, he might have a difficult time in the majors because he has decent contact skill and a below average walk rate. Projects as a UTIL guy because he has experience at SS, 2B, LF, and CF. Look for him in Fresno to start the season since he's only had about 40 PA above Double A. A top candidate for a September callup, possibly before that.