We break down the top five prospects for each organization for 2010, taking into consideration: games, at-bats, innings and major-league service time. We expect these players to have rookie status remaining heading into next year.
According to MLB rules: "A player shall be considered a rookie unless, during a previous season or seasons, he has (a) exceeded 130 at-bats or 50 innings pitched in the major leagues; or (b) accumulated more than 45 days on the active roster of a major league club or clubs during the period of 25-player limit (excluding time in the military service and time on the disabled list)."
Note: Statistics are those at each stop in the minors this season and age represents how old they will be on opening day 2010.
San Francisco Giants
Until Pablo Sandoval enjoyed his huge breakthrough in 2009, the knock on the Giants was they hadn't developed an All-Star hitter since Matt Williams. That is a real long time ago. Buster Posey should help change that, but it is noteworthy that an elite catching prospect like that doesn't even top the Giants' prospect list for 2010. It speaks volumes about the direction the organization is heading in the post-Barry Bonds era.
1. Madison Bumgarner, SP, 20
The Giants already have two great, young frontline starters in Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain, but Bumgarner figures to add to it next season, likely out of spring training. The 20-year-old likely has nothing left to prove in the minor leagues, going a combined 12-2 with a 1.85 ERA and .211 batting-average against in 131 1/3 innings between high Class A and Double-A. He was impressive in his September call-up, too, posting a 1.80 ERA and .229 BAA in 10 innings, dispelling some thought he relies on his fastball too much. Despite his young age, Bumgarner looks ready to pitch in the majors and could be an NL Rookie of the Year frontrunner.
2. Buster Posey, C, 23
Posey was a potential No. 1 overall pick candidate in 2008, but the Rays went in another direction and Posey fell to the Giants. They have a future All-Star on their hands now and Fantasy owners will like his sleeper potential at the catcher position. The Giants need to upgrade their offense and don't figure to bring back Bengie Molina, saving money to get a corner outfielder. That would make Posey a starter out of spring training and a nice sleeper in all Fantasy leagues. We don't see a Joe Mauer or Matt Wieters long term, but Posey (.325-18-80-84-6, .416-.531 between high Class A and Triple-A) could perform like a top 12 Fantasy catcher in his first season. Long term, he figures to be a top-five Fantasy backstop annually.
3. Roger Kieschnick, OF, 23
The nephew of former major league Brooks Kieschnick projects to be a far better player than his uncle ever was. The Texas Tech product went .296-23-110-86-9 (.345-.532) in his pro season and should get a start in 2010 up in Double-A. He might be a factor for the Giants and Fantasy owners before the end of year even. Consider him legit power threat that could be a Brad Hawpe type long term.
4. Zack Wheeler, SP, 19
The Giants' first-round pick last June comes with high expectations -- so much so, we place him in their top five prospects without having thrown a pitch as a pro. He will be years from making a Fantasy splash, but his talent alone makes him someone to stash as a long-term keeper prospect.
5. Christopher Dominguez, 3B, 23
Dominguez made quite a splash after being drafted in the third round last June, going .263-11-40-39-12 (.311-.456) combined in 217 at-bats in two low Class A stops. He was a bit old for his level, but there is legit power potential here and he could move quickly if he can make better contact and draw more walks. He struck out 66 times and walked just 12. We will watch him closely as a Chris Davis-type in the year-plus.
Best of the rest: Kevin Pucetas, SP; Darren Ford, OF; Rafael Rodriguez, OF; Joe Martinez, SP; Brandon Crawford, SS; Nick Noonan, 3B; Conor Gillaspie, 3B; Henry Sosa, SP; Matt Downs, 3B; Edward Concepcion, SP; Hector Sanchez, C; Mike McBryde, OF; Clayton Tanner, SP; Waldis Jordan, RP; Aaron King, SP; Jackson Williams, C; Charlie Culberson, 3B; Wendell Fairley, OF; Tommy Joseph, C; Jason Stoffel, SP; Brandon Belt, 1B; Alex Hinshaw, RP; Thomas Neal, OF; Francisco Peguero, OF; Edwin Quirarte, RP; Ehire Adrianza, SS; and Osiris Matos, RP. Note: Angel Villalona, 1B, is facing murder allegations in the Dominican Republic and might never play again.
2009 rookies to exhaust eligibility: Travis Ishikawa, 1B; Nate Schierholtz, OF; and Eli Whiteside, C.
Last year's top five here: Bumgarner, SP; Timothy Alderson, SP (traded to Pittsburgh for Freddy Sanchez); Posey, C; Schierholtz, OF; and Gillaspie, 3B.
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