Giants Minor League updates

opzoneworld · Post #61 » by **opzoneworld** » Thu Sep 6, 2007 7:22 pm

Burris and Bocock have the best chances right now. Both are top of the order guys because of their contact hitting and great speed. Both are OK with the glove with good arms overall. I would imagine one would move to 2nd, possibly next season so they can both play in Conn.

Post #62 » by **PhilipNelsonFan** » Fri Sep 7, 2007 9:24 pm

B-Diddy#1fan wrote:PhilipNelsonFan, I greatly appreciate the minor league info you bring.

What can you tell us about Sean Van Elderen?

Also, which SS do you see having the best chance to make it in the majors? I know of Culberson, Burris, Bocock and Schoop.

I'll address the SS question first: I didn't get to see much of Burris or Bocock, but from what I've read Burris is the highest-rated SS prospect in the Giants organization. So I'd start with him.

As for Van Elderen, I had a debate with a fellow sportswriter when we were covering a game on Van Elderen's chances in the big leagues. He didn't like Van Elderen's chances based on his age and level, while I felt like Van Elderen had received a late start of sorts and had a shot to make the majors. So, let me be the first to say I really like this guy.

I'll start with Van Elderen's defense, because it's been very good. I don't think the guy has made an error all year. He's a pretty smart outfielder, uses what speed he has (there is some) well and displays an above-average arm throwing balls back into the infield. The Volcanoes' manager, Steve Decker, mentioned in the beginning of the season that Van Elderen needed to work on his defense, which he appears to be doing. In addition to solid outfield play, he's been slotted into first base a couple times.

What's going to get Van Elderen in the majors, however, will be his bat. This year he hit .290/.338/.484, which I would argue are relatively solid numbers. He had 72 hits on the year, including 27 doubles, three triples, and five home runs (read: nearly half of all his hits went for extra bases). He also has nine stolen bases on the year (caught four times). But, intangibly, he's got good size (6-3, 225) and is one of the nicest people on the team.

The biggest knock on him right now: he's 24. Van Elderen was drafted last year as a fifth-year senior and struggled in rookie ball, but made the most of his assignment and started on an absolutely torrid pace (something like .360 BA for well over a month into the season). He's cooled down significantly since then and hasn't had a lot of huge games, but you have to wonder just how dynamic he can be with the bat.

Post #63 » by **Hopper15** » Sat Sep 8, 2007 7:10 pm

No great details here, but something's better than nothing.

http://www1.pressdemocrat.com/article/2 ... /SPORT0402

Post #64 » by **PhilipNelsonFan** » Sun Sep 9, 2007 5:40 am

That's a nice article.

A few words on Villalona: I've introduced myself to him but I haven't spoken to him. He doesn't say a hell of a lot. Big kid who looks even bigger when he's on the field (especially standing next to the svelte Sharlon Schoop). He has power although he hasn't really tapped it, and he can make some impressive defensive plays. Kid is bursting at the seams with potential, but the Giants should be patient with him.

Post #65 » by **PhilipNelsonFan** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 4:18 am

The Volcanoes have won the championship in the Northwest League. I'm swamped right now but I'll be posting a bunch of stuff later this week.

In the meantime, if there are any more questions you want answered about the guys on the team, I'll be happy to answer them.

Post #66 » by **PhilipNelsonFan** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 10:57 am

Some minor-league stuff to catch you all up:

http://sfgiants.scout.com/2/735091.html

http://sfgiants.scout.com/a.z?s=316&p=2&c=736124

Eighteen players also got released, including Chad Rothford. Speculation is that the competition at first base was just too strong, and for whatever reason he was the odd man out. Jared Cranston, who had an excellent season with the Volcanoes last year, has retired from baseball for undisclosed reasons.

GS Warriors 1 · Post #67 » by **GS Warriors 1** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 10:07 pm

There was no place to put Rothford.

I would certainly place Villalona and D'Alessio ahead of him, so there's basically no room for him in A ball.

opzoneworld · Post #68 » by **opzoneworld** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 1:52 am

I will say that we actually have a chance to have a good looking systems with our last two drafts. If we can properly develop that talent is very big question; but as far as raw talent goes things seem to be looking up. Add the #5 pick this year and probably a top 3 pick next year and we could have a top 10 system. Imagine that.

GswStorm3 · Post #69 » by **GswStorm3** » Tue Apr 1, 2008 9:32 pm

opzoneworld wrote:I will say that we actually have a chance to have a good looking systems with our last two drafts. If we can properly develop that talent is very big question; but as far as raw talent goes things seem to be looking up. Add the #5 pick this year and probably a top 3 pick next year and we could have a top 10 system. Imagine that.

Not if Sabean keeps passing on elite position talent. I don't mind him taking pitching, but he takes it in the first round every year.

opzoneworld · Post #70 » by **opzoneworld** » Tue Apr 1, 2008 11:37 pm

This just in:

Burriss is skipping AA Conn and is going to start for AAA Fresno. It will be very interesting to see where the Giants put him; SS or 2B. I'm guess SS myself.

Fresno will start the season with three of the Giants top 10 hitting prospects in Schierholtz (#4 BBA), Bowker (#9 BBA), and Burriss (#10 BBA).

If Schierholtz can continue to develop his power game and Bowker can repeat last season's performace with Burriss improving his D, all three should start next season and suddenly the Giants don't look like a 100 loss team anymore. Our top 5 in the order could be fairly good going Burriss (ss) Velez (2b) Schierholtz (rf) Bowker (lf) Rowand (cf).

Finally, a move I can be proud of by the Giants.

GS Warriors 1 · Post #71 » by **GS Warriors 1** » Wed Apr 2, 2008 10:56 pm

Total rush job. He isn't even close to being AAA ready.

When its all said and done, Culberson will be the top SS in the organization.

opzoneworld · Post #72 » by **opzoneworld** » Thu Apr 3, 2008 1:06 am

We will just have to agree to disagree GS Warriors. I think Burriss is the real deal. He admitted in an interview that he came into San Jose last year with a big head and his ego got throw back in his face. He went to Augusta and put up great numbers and followed those numbers up with a great fall in Arizona. He does need to work on his D but I think it is something he can master this year.

Seeing Burriss and Bocock play together in AAA (once Omar gets back) should be fun for Fresno fans to watch. I know Im buying tickets to the Sacramento Rivercats when Fresco comes to town.

Post #73 » by **Hopper15** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 5:45 am

http://www.greenjacketsbaseball.com/team/statistics/

Villalona with his first bomb (a slam) on Sunday. Noonan looks to be off to a good start. Culberson struggling early. Bumgarner mixed results in his first two starts.

If Alderson is pitching Wednesday, I'll go check him out.

GswStorm3 · Post #74 » by **GswStorm3** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 5:56 am

Hopper15 wrote:http://www.greenjacketsbaseball.com/team/statistics/

Villalona with his first bomb (a slam) on Sunday. Noonan looks to be off to a good start. Culberson struggling early. Bumgarner mixed results in his first two starts.

If Alderson is pitching Wednesday, I'll go check him out.

Awesome, if you will give us a report on how Villalona looks also.

Post #75 » by **Hopper15** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 3:39 pm

Alderson is in San Jose. I can make that five mile commute. Villalona is in Augusta.

GswStorm3 · Post #76 » by **GswStorm3** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 7:21 pm

Hopper15 wrote:Alderson is in San Jose. I can make that five mile commute. Villalona is in Augusta.

Lol sorry, I was thinking of Bumgarner when I made that post.

Post #77 » by **Hopper15** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 10:39 pm

Maybe someday I'll make Baller Status.

opzoneworld · Post #78 » by **opzoneworld** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 11:37 pm

Burriss if off to a great start in Fresno as well. I cant wait until Fresno comes to Sacramento to play the Rivercats so I can see him play. I'll also be going to see the Stockton Ports play the San Jose Giants as much as I can. Alderson has looked great so far and I still really like Brett Pill at 1B.

Post #79 » by **Hopper15** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 11:46 pm

Should Pill be playing 1B over D'Alessio? I hate when some of our best hitting prospects play DH. It's pointless.

GS Warriors 1 · Post #80 » by **GS Warriors 1** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 2:07 am

If Pill is DH then that must mean D'Alessio is a better glove? I don't remember how good D'Alessio's defense is. His offense is the thing that gets the most chatter.

And I also think D'Alessio's bat could play in the higher levels than Pill's. Better on base skills and back a few years ago when LA drafted him, they really liked his pop. Pill may have some raw pop but he won't get on base as much as D'Alessio will.