Prospect Watch 6/30/08

Fresno defeated Tuscon 8-7 in extra innings.

2B Matt Downs: 1 for 4, BB, E (2) (241/290/414)
LF Eugenio Velez: 0 for 3, 2 BB, 2 K
Either by design or chance, Eugenio had the same line in yesterday’s game.
RP Erick Threets: 1 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 3 K
This is Erick in a nutshell.

Connecticut defeated New Hampshire 1-0.

C Pablo Sandoval: 1 for 4 (263/300/316, 19 AB)
3B Ryan Rohlinger: 2 for 3, K (250/306/375, 24 AB)
RP Osiris Matos: 1 IP, K
Osiris has continued his domination of the EL this season, striking out a batter an inning. He is an extreme flyball pitcher (0.39 GO/AO), but he has not yet allowed a homerun in 36.2 innings. At 23 years old, he is repeating the level. In his second time around, he has lowered his H/IP and BB/IP and boosted his K/IP. I like him quite a bit and have him as my highest ranked relief prospect in the system. Hopefully he gets promoted sooner rather than later.

San Jose bedazzled Bakersfield 12-2 (scoring at least one run in every inning).

LF Bobby Felmy: 3 for 5, 2B, HR, BB, K (293/348/404)
3B Bradley Boyer: 3 for 3, BB
Boyer has been used as a utility player this year, splitting time between AA and A+. He’s mainly a roster filler at this point.
SP Chris Begg: 6 IP, 6 H, 2 K, 1 ER
Chris continues on his rehab tour. He pitched at Fresno last season, allowing few walks but way too many hits. He will turn 29 in September. He is an emergency starter if someone in the Giants’ rotation goes down.

Augusta defeated Hickory 7 to 2.

2B Nick Noonan: 2 for 5, 2 2B, 2 K (303/331/458 )
DH Thomas Neal: 1 for 3, HR, BB (259/337/410)
SP Chance Corgan: 5 IP, 5 H, BB, 5 K, 1 ER
Drafted in the 5th round last year from Texas Christian, Chance throws a fastball in the low-90s and a average breaking ball. He spent the majority of the year in extended spring training. As a 22 year old in Low A, he is expected to dominate. If the Giants’ coaches can fine-tune his motion, then the Giants may have another SP prospect in the pipeline. He’s someone to keep an eye on.
RP Wilmin Rodriguez: 3 IP, 2 H, 3 K
Wilmin is a lefty that works in the low 90s with a good breaking ball. His big bugaboo has been control, so giving up no walks this outing is perhaps the most encouraging stat of all.

Salem-Keizer defeated Eugene 1-0 (scoring its only run in the first inning).

SP Mike Loree: 6 IP, 0 H, 0 BB, 7 K
1.20 ERA, 0.47 WHIP. The Lorax will get you.
RP Kelvin Marte: 1 IP, 1 H, 2 K (3.38 ERA, 14.11 K/9)

The Giants defeated the Padres 9-5.

RF Ryan Mantle: 2 for 4, 2B, 3B
According to the scouting report posted yesterday, Ryan is a toolsy OF whose tools have not yet translated to skills. He is still 21 years old, so the Giants can give him a year or two to refine his skills. An intriguing prospect to keep an eye on, but I wouldn’t put him in my top 40 just yet.
RP Roberto Martinez: 2.2 IP, 1 H, 2 K
Roberto put up good strikeout numbers last year with spotty control. (There a pattern here somewhere.) Another pitcher to keep an eye on, though at 22 years old, he is old for the league.