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It just shows how much the Giants need to invest their money in the farm system and player development. Yeah,they lack depth in position players who could provide immediate help. Nevertheless, the upside is there albeit raw.

Since 2006, the Giants had to change their mindset in how they handled the farm system and the draft to leiu post-Bonds. IMO, last season was the first year in the rebuilding process.

Farm players who made the opening roster and remained with the club:
Tim Lincecum - Cy Young winner
Matt Cain - potential ace
Jonathan Sanchez - Legit starting pitcher
Brian Wilson - All Star closer
Fred Lewis - possible RBI guy? We'll find out.

Last season's call-ups who made an impression:
Pablo Sandoval
Manny Burris
Travis Ishikawa
Eugenio Velez
Alex Hinshaw
Sergio Romo

Who to expect in 2009:
Buster Posey
Kevin Pucetas
Nate Schierholtz - Last year, it was Bowker. Needs to make an impression.
Kevin Frandsen - Gets his chance to be a starter.

Who to expect in 2010:
Madison Bumgarner
Tim Alderson
Nick Noonan
Conor Gillespie
Clayton Tanner

Raw with upside:
Angel Villalona
Rafael Rodriguez
Henry Sosa
Juan Carlos Perez
Wendell Fairley
Jose Casilla
Jesus Guzman

Newkom's philosophy appears to be one of building a core of depth within the minors. They've already got a head start on that obviously. But, then again, their best prospects haven't gone past A-ball yet (Gillespie doesn't count since bringing him up last year was all about a contract clause), so there's a long ways to go.

I expect Posey to play all year (until Sep call ups) in Double-A since Decker has been promoted to manage there this year and will be a good mentor for Posey. Fairley is just so far away that I'm doubting he ever sees the bigs. Sosa isn't going to amount to a hill of beans. But, this is about as exciting of a farm system as I can recall.

I put Fairley on the same track as Rodriguez and Villalona. He's behind Villalona due to injuries but I see no need to judge a kid out of HS. Sosa still has plenty of upside and a live arm. I wouldn't give up on him yet.

Fairley's a great athelete, though not necessarily a baseball player. I'm not a fan of those type of prospects. Sosa is 23 y/o with one pitch, a low 90's fastball...don't hold your breath.

It's obvious your mind is made up so they both must be a waste time. I want to see them reach their potential. I don't see in slamming players who are both still raw. It must be very dark in your world.

Hopper15 wrote:Fairley's a great athelete, though not necessarily a baseball player. I'm not a fan of those type of prospects. Sosa is 23 y/o with one pitch, a low 90's fastball...don't hold your breath.

+1

I'll continue to be optimist on Fairley.

EJS99 wrote:It's obvious your mind is made up so they both must be a waste time. I want to see them reach their potential. I don't see in slamming players who are both still raw. It must be very dark in your world.

I want to see them reach their potential, too. It's not a slam, just an opinion. I'm happy to be wrong and have every prospect there is turn out to be in the HOF. Odds are that won't happen, though. Sorry to introduce a dose of reality in Fantasyland.