[존 시켈스] 샌프란시스코 자이언츠 유망주 TOP 10

존 시켈스가 올해 월드시리즈 우승팀인 샌프란시스코 자이언츠의 유망주 랭킹을 올렸습니다. 이팀도 빠르게 유망주를 승격시키는 편이라 유망주가 전통적으로 유망주 평가가 좋은 팀은 아니었는데 올해는 그래도 상당한 뎁스를 인정을 받았네요. 9명의 선수가 B-등급 이상을 받은 것을 보면...

1) Kyle Crick, RHP, Grade B+: There are a few control issues to address, but I'm a big fan of his stuff, size, fresh arm, and San Francisco's track record of developing similar prospects.

2) Chris Stratton, RHP, Grade B+: He was one of my favorite college pitchers from the 2012 draft. I felt he was a real steal at 20th overall.

3) Clayton Blackburn, RHP, Grade B+: I don't understand the reluctance among prospect watchers to give this guy his due. Sure, he's physically mature and not projectable. But he already has good stuff, his command is outstanding, and he dominated Low-A one year out of high school.

4) Gary Brown, OF, Grade B: Borderline B-. For a guy who runs as well as he does, he sure gets caught stealing a lot. I think he's a better hitter than he showed last year, but not as good as his Cal League-inflated stats in '11. Glove and legs will get him to the majors even if his bat disappoints, perhaps long enough for him to make the necessary adjustments to stay in the lineup.

5) Joe Panik, SS, Grade B-: He wasn't terrific at San Jose and the grade drops one notch from last year's B, but I still like his instincts, makeup, contact skills, and chances to adapt at higher levels.

6) Heath Hembree, RHP, Grade B-: Command and injury issues hampered him in Triple-A, but he looked back to normal in the Arizona Fall League. Expect he can help in the bullpen in '13.

7) Mike Kickham, LHP, Grade B-: I've liked him since he was in college, nice power lefty arm. Command still needs some work, but I trust the Giants to develop him more than most teams.

8) Martin Agosta, RHP, Grade B-: Another power arm that I like a lot, this one from the 2012 draft. We need to see what he does in pro ball, so this grade could rise (or fall) once he gets settled in.

9) Andrew Susac, C, Grade B-: Borderline C+. Disappointing season in the Cal League and this grade may seem a notch high, but I think the tools are still in there and he hit quite well in August/September. Double-A will test his bat.

10) Francisco Peguero, OF, Grade C+: Tools are obvious, as are his very serious flaws. Even a marginal improvement in his plate discipline would take him a long way. Giants have to hope that he's a late bloomer with his skills. High risk property.

11) Mac Williamson, OF, Grade C+: At this point, you can pretty much throw the C+ guys into a hat; there are about two dozen valid ways to order them. I'll go with Williamson, who has the highest offensive upside left on the board here but limited pro experience. Raw power is his calling card and he showed better hitting skills than expected in short-season ball.

12) Chris Heston, RHP, Grade C+: Heston does not have the same kind of stuff as the relievers behind him on the list, but he's much closer to the majors and has a chance to start so I want to highlight that. Throw the radar gun away with this guy. As Michael Fiers and Tom Milone show, you don't have to have a blazing fastball to get people out, if you know what you're doing. Heston knows what he is doing.

13) Steven Okert, LHP, Grade C+: Saw him in college and loved him, good stuff, nice delivery, gets tons of grounders. Underrated.

14) Stephen Johnson, RHP, Grade C+: Needs some command work, but pushes 100 MPH. Yet another future bullpen arm. 

15) E.J. Encinosa, RHP, Grade C+: Erratic in college but has great stuff, fits into the Giants system of molding pitchers.

16) Josh Osich, LHP, Grade C+: Another guy who would slot nicely as a power bullpen arm, if he can manage to avoid the doctors.

17) Adalberto Mejia, LHP, Grade C+: Held his own in the Sally League at age 18/19, jumping directly from Dominican Summer League. If you are looking at just youth and projectability you could put him as high as 12th.

18) Edwin Escobar, LHP, Grade C+: Outpitched Mejia but a year older, granted that is still young for Low-A. As with Mejia, this is a matter of taste how you rank them in comparison to the lively relief arms and Heston. I think both lefties could be mid or back rotation starters eventually and grades could go higher next year.

19) Adam Duvall, 3B, Grade C+: We'll have to see how the bat looks outside the California League. Not a great fielder, but positional scarcity factor puts him ahead of Ricky Oropesa for me.

20) Ricky Oropesa, 1B, Grade C+: Has pop, but high strikeout rate and difficult position premium push him back.

OTHERS: Ehire Adrianza, SS; Bryce Bandilla, LHP; Brett Bochy, RHP; Gustavo Cabrera, OF; Jesus Galindo, OF; Ian Gardeck, RHP; Conor Gillaspie, 3B; Joan Gregario, RHP; Cody Hall, RHP; Tyler Hollick, OF; Chuckie Jones, OF; Roger Kieschnick, OF; Chris Marlowe, RHP; Shilo McCall, OF; Mason McVay, LHP; Keury Mella, RHP; Nick Noonan, INF; Shawn Payne, OF; Eric Surkamp, LHP