2012 SF Giants Minor League Prospects

[Honus Wagner Rules]

Looks like Gary Brown has turned it around at AA Richmond. He got off to an absolute awful start in April and part of May.

April: .227/.333/.284
May: .258/.318/.317
June: .294/.364/.413
July: .429/.462/.671

Brown's overall line is now .292/.357/.401.

[KHenry14]

I've been watching Gary's transformation too Wags, and it's been remarkable. He recently had a 7 game hit streak where each game was a multi-hit game. Sky's the limit it's looking like...

BTW, I've also been following Panik, Joseph and Slusac, and boy, none of them are hitting a lick. Panik is a bit better than the others, but not by much.

[Honus Wagner Rules]

I still worry about Joseph's poor walk rate and contact hitting. He just turned 21 two days ago so he still is young enough to get better. Susac has been a disappointment. He was hyped coming out of college. Not sure what the deal is with Panik? He's got more walks than strikeouts which is a good sign but is only hitting .262 in the California League. Right now only Brown is considered close to being a top prospect but many scouts think he's no more than a 4th outfielder in the majors.

[Honus Wagner Rules]

Some video of Gary Brown from 2011.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmvy3-e5KII&feature=related

[KHenry14]

Wags, that video confirms what we all know, Brown can really run.

Good to see Joe Panik finding his swing. Kid has been quite good last three weeks.

Susac is slowly getting better. Good news is that he's playing everyday despite his lack of hitting.

[Honus Wagner Rules]

Right now the Giants minor league system is on a down cycle. Gary Brown is by far the Giants best prospect and he not that highly rated by most scouts. Keith Law has him rated pretty low. I hope Brown proves Law wrong. The giants to have a few interesting pitching prospects. Law does like this Blackburn kid in low A ball.

[Honus Wagner Rules]

Speaking of Clayton Blackburn, John Sickels likes him a lot as well. The kid had a great 2012 season at Augusta. He's only 19 years old. I look forward to seeing him in San Jose in 2013. With Gary Brown's poor 2012 season Blackburn may supplant Brown as the Giants top minor league prospect. Blackburn could be crucial to the Giants long term plans. Timmy becomes a free agent after the 2013 season. Depending how he pitches in 2013 will go far to determine how serious the Giants will try to resign Timmy.

http://www.minorleagueball.com/2012/8/27/3271933/minor-league-prospect-clayton-blackburn-rhp-san-francisco-giants-scouting-report

http://www.milb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=607185

[KHenry14]

I think saying Brown's AA season was "poor" is a little harsh. Hitting .279 in a pitchers league isn't that bad. One wonders though if he'll get to Fresno next season, my guess is yes.

Joe Panik hit .297 in San Jose, not too bad, but he'd better prepare to be a smarter hitter next year in Richmond, cause if he doesn't, those AA pitchers will eat him alive.

Andrew Susac only hit .244 with a few HR's, not good enough to try and succeed in Richmond if you ask me. A disapointing debut season.