by Richard Van Zandt, BaseballEvolution.com
September 17, 2008
In Part V of our series on the top San Francisco Giants prospects, Richard examines the organization's top relievers. Brian Wilson has been a resounding success, but there is no shortage of young arms waiting in the wings should he falter.
Relief Pitchers
With just two weeks left to go in his first full season as
the Giants closer, Brian Wilson is just one save away from doing something only
two Giants pitchers have ever done: save 40 or more games in a single year. He
had 25 at the All-Star break to lead the NL. With 39 through Sunday, Wilson
had already passed Tim Worrell for the sixth highest single season total in
franchise history. With one more, he will join Robb Nen (1998, 2000-02) and Rod
Beck (1993) as the only San Francisco relievers to save at least 40 in a year.
He is currently third in MLB, trailing only Houstons Jose Valverde (42) and, of
course, K-Rod of the Angles (58).
From May 3 through August 17, Wilson converted 24
consecutive opportunities and had the third best success rate in the majors
at 93% before blowing back-to-back chances late last week. Even with those two
blown opps, Wilson's 88.6% conversion rate ranks second in the NL (min 20 saves)
behind only Brad Lidge, who is perfect in his 36 opportunities.
He was drafted by the Giants in the 24th round
out of LSU in 2003 after undergoing Tommy John surgery just prior to the draft.
Hell throw a mid-to-high 90s fastball, a Rivera-like cutter, and an
88-90 mph slider reminiscent of Nens. And like those two all-time greats, he
has the fearless temperament that is crucial for the role of a bullpen
stopper.
While his ERA (4.40) and WHIP (1.43) dont look very
impressive, he can strike you out (9.40 per 9 IP) or pitch for the ground ball
(his seven double plays rank third among all closers), and hitters have batted just
.224 against him in save situations.
Trivia Question
This year, Brian Wilson became the first
home drafted, signed, and developed pitcher to save 30 or more games in a
season for the Giants.
He also became the first pitcher to make
his debut with San Francisco and save at least 30 games in a year
for the team since Rod Beck.
Can you name the only other pitcher to
debut with San Francisco and save
at least 30 or more games in a single season for the Giants?
Answer below
|
When he struggles, its often with his control. With four-and-a-half walks per nine innings through his career (4.25 in 08), he often
winds up getting himself into jams. He has started an inning 55 times this year
and in 21 of those, the first batters he faced reached base. Opposing teams in
those 21 innings have scored a total of 24 runs. The 34 times he has retired
the first batter he faced, opponents have tallied just 5. Focus could be part
of the problem. In non-save situations, he has a 7.71 ERA with nine walks in 14
innings, and hitters are batting .351 against him.
When the pressure has been on, Wilson, for the most part, has
provided a solid and reliable anchor to an otherwise shaky bullpen since
he assumed the closer role late last year. The Giants
hope this 26-yerar old can continue to do so for a long time, but improved command will be vital
to his continuing success. Its one thing to have a single 40-save season and
draw comparisons to Robb Nen; its quite another to put up a string of such
seasons as Nen did. However, if Wilson doesnt improve his control and falters,
there will be no shortage of young arms waiting in the wings to step up and step
in.
San Francisco Giants
Top Ten Relief Pitcher Prospects
1. Sergio Romo
2. Merkin Valdez
3. Alex Hinshaw
4. Billy Sadler
5. Waldis Joaquin
6. Osiris Matos
7. Kelvin Pichardo
8. Joe Paterson
9. Edwin Quirarte
10. Dan Otero
Sergio Romo 2008
MLB 1-1, 2.54/0.85/.162 28.1 IP, 16 H, 8 BB, 28 K
National League San
Francisco Giants Active Roster
28th round
2005 DOB 3-4-83 Throws Right
My personal favorite and not just because we share a
birthday, Romo has an aggressive bulldog mentality to match his impeccable
control. Although his fastball sits in only the high-80s to low-90s, he has
still managed to strike out over 10 batters per nine innings in his minor league
career. He manages this with deception and movement, dropping down and using a
variety of arm slots, and hes not afraid to throw breaking stuff in any count.
His signature delivery is a nasty slurve that is simply vicious on left-handers
who have managed to hit just .103 against him. Last season with San Jose, Romo
struck out 106 and walked just 15 in 66.1 innings while posting a 1.36 ERA.
Hes able to set up, close, or even get stretched out to start (he once threw
7 hitless innings as a starter for Augusta in a combined no-hitter). Manager Bruce Bochy has shown increasing confidence in him by using him more
frequently in tough late inning situations in what is likely an early audition
for a key 2009 setup role. Romo, whose parents were both born in Mexico,
will play ball this winter in the Mexican Pacific League and hopes to be
selected to the Mexican National squad that will take part in the World Baseball
Classic next spring.
Merkin Valdez 2008
1-0, 1.69/1.31/.237 16 IP, 14 H, 7 BB, 13 K
National League San
Francisco Giants 60-Day Disabled List
Signed as amateur
free agent Atlanta Braves 1999 DOB 11-10-81 Throws Right
Merkin Valdez was acquired in December of 2002 in the deal that sent Russ
Ortiz to Atlanta. All that stands between Valdez and 8th inning
dominance is his balky right elbow. Tommy John surgery wiped out his 07
campaign, while unrelated elbow problems have kept him out of action for most of
2008. Although hes not likely to pitch in a game again this season, he did throw
a 35-pitch bullpen session on September 9 while facing live hitters for the
first time since the injury. With a lively fastball clocked in the mid-to-high
90s to go with a splitter and slider, he has the potential to be one of the top
late inning relievers in baseball. To do that, though, hell have to stay
healthy.
Alex Hinshaw 2008
MLB 1-1, 3.62/1.53/.220 37.1 IP, 29 H, 28 BB, 46 K
National League San
Francisco Giants Active Roster
15th round
2005 DOB 10-31-82 Throws Left
Tall (63) but lean (170 lbs), Hinshaw, who had Tommy John
surgery when he was 19, throws a low-90s fastball, a big sweeping low-70s curve,
and an occasional changeup. He also recently introduced a hard biting slider.
He allowed just 6.13 H/9 in the minors while striking out 10.99/9IP and has
posted more of the same at the major league level (6.99 H/9 and 11.09 K/9). His
ability to miss bats shows his stuff is filthy and suggests that he has closer
potential, but hell have to overcome serious control issues that have seen him
average over six walks per nine innings pitched as a pro before that becomes an
option. Hell pitch for the Scottsdale Scorpions in the Arizona Fall League
after the season ends.
Billy Sadler 2008
MLB 4.46/1.39/.222 40.1 IP, 32 H, 24 BB, 36 K, 8 HBP, 6 HR
National League San
Francisco Giants Active Roster
6th round
2003 DOB 9-21-81 Throws Right
A college teammate of Wilson, Sadler made his big league
debut for San Francisco in 2006, but control problems kept him in the minors for
the entire 07 season. His stuff is unquestioned (92-96 mph fastball and a big
12-to-6 curve), but like Hinshaw, harnessing his spotty control (over 5 walks per
9 IP professionally) will be essential for him to be successful in the majors.
In 33 innings this year at Fresno, he allowed just 19 hits and struck out 41 in
compiling a stellar 1.09 ERA. He managed this despite walking an absurd 21
batters in 22 outings.
Waldis Joaquin 2008
MiLB 4.42/1.40/.255 71.1 IP, 69 H, 31 BB, 72 K
California League
San Jose Giants
Signed as amateur
free agent 2003 DOB 12-25-86 Throws Right
Possessing one of the organizations strongest arms,
Joaquins fastball generally runs in the mid-90s, but has been known to hit
triple digits. He also throws a strong slider in the 87-88 mph range. He made
seven starts this year in 36 appearances, and starting could still be an option.
Inconsistency has plagued him, and the numbers arent there this year, but he is a
true power pitcher with a bright future. In the near future, he will be
wintering in Waikiki and playing alongside 2008 draft picks Buster Posey and
Roger Kieschnick in the Hawaiian Winter League.
Osiris Matos 2008
MiLB 0.97/0.93/.182 46.1 IP, 30 H, 13 BB, 50 K 9 SV
National League San
Francisco Giants Active Roster
Signed as amateur
free agent 2002 DOB 8-6-84 Throws Right
Matos was added to the clubs 40-man roster in November of
2006 and made his big league debut this season after posting some impressive
numbers in the closer role at Connecticut. He was moved to the pen the last
three seasons after struggling early in his career as a starter and has been
impressive. He has a nice low-90s fastball with good movement but hell need to
be more consistent with his slider and change up at the major league level where
he has struggled (18 IP, 23 H - .319 BAA, 1.72 WHIP). Matos will join Hinshaw
this fall in the Scottsdale bullpen in the AFL.
Kelvin Pichardo
2008 2-4, 2.48/1.33/.214 61.2 IP, 49 H, 33 BB, 62 K 7 SV
Eastern League
Connecticut Defenders
Signed as amateur
free agent 2003 Phillies DOB 10-13-85 Throws Right
As much-maligned as the Michael
Tucker-lets-toss-away-a-draft-pick-in-order-to-save-money-free-agent-deal was
at the time, the fact that Sabean eventually turned Tucker into Pichardo makes
that move belatedly much more acceptable. Pichardo is one of the hardest
throwers in the organization with a mid-to-high 90s fastball (complimented with
a power curve and developing changeup) but can be prone to bouts of wildness.
He has 8th inning written all over him (think Felix Rodriguez circa
2001) and is likely to make his debut as early as next season. Like Hinshaw and
Matos, he will pitch for the Scorpions this fall in the AFL along with starter
Kevin Pucetas, infielders Manny Burriss and Ryan Rohlinger, and outfielder Ben
Copeland.
Joe Paterson 2008
MiLB 8-3, 2.74/1.14/.202 69 IP, 51 H, 28 BB, 78 K 8 SV
California League
San Jose Giants
10th round
2007 DOB 5-19-86 Throws Left
A side-arming lefty with good control, Paterson has struck out
over 10 batters per every nine innings pitched in his short career while holding
left handed hitters to a sub-.150 batting average. His stuff, which consists of
a low-90s fastball, changeup, and slider, isnt overwhelming, but he has all the
earmarks of a late-inning lefty specialist. He split this season with Augusta
and San Jose and is likely to begin next year in Double-A.
Edwin Quirarte 2008
3-3, 2.12/1.08/.213 29.2 IP, 23 H, 9 BB, 33 K 14 SV
Northwest League
Salem-Keizer Volcanoes
5th round
2008 DOB 12-20-86 Throws Right
The Giants fifth overall pick this year and first of the
top five to sign, Quirarte was moved to the pen his junior year at Northridge
State and he has thrived this year in his debut season as the Volcanoes' closer. Quirarte allowed 49 hits in 56 innings this year for Northridge with just
six of
those hits going for extra-bases. His 14 saves in the regular season were
second in the league, and he earned the save in the opener of the Volcanoes
Northwest League Championship series. However, he blew a big opportunity in a
pivotal Game Three as Salem-Keizer lost the series to Spokane, 3-1. He has a
very live fastball that sits in the low-90s and he compliments it with a nice
slider and splitter. This 21-year old could rise quickly through the organization.
Dan Otero Career
74 G, 53 SV 1.77/0.98/.230 76.1 IP, 68 H, 64 K, 7 BB, 2 HR
California League
San Jose Giants
21st round
2007 DOB 2-19-85 Throws Right
Call me a sucker for control freaks, but Otero first caught
my eye after a stellar 2007 debut campaign that earned him the MiLB.com Class-A
Short Season Relief Pitcher of the Year Award. Finishing the year a perfect
19-for-19 in saves, Otero allowed just 12 hits in 22.1 innings while striking
out 15 and not walking a single batter. He wont blow you away with his
high-80s fastball, slider, or change, but he does throw strikes consistently and
he keeps the ball in the yard. He began this season as the closer for Augusta
and saved 18 more without a blown op while recording a 0.33 ERA in 27 innings
(and only after allowing his first run of the year in his final Green Jackets
appearance) to earn a promotion to San Jose. There he stumbled a bit initially,
giving up 24 hits in his first 15.1 innings, but he finished the season strong,
posting a 1.54 ERA after August 1 and not allowing a run in his final ten
outings while collecting 8 saves. He recorded two saves in the SJ Giants'
five-game
playoff series loss to Stockton but also notched a blown save in Game Two.
Honorable Mentions
Geno Espineli 2008
MiLB 2.66/1.10/.246 61 IP, 56 H, 11 BB, 48 K
National League San
Francisco Giants Active Roster
14th round
2004 DOB 9-8-82 Throws - Left
Espineli was chosen to represent the USA in the Olympics
after posting a 0.90 ERA through May but he was forced to withdraw when the
Giants promoted him to the big league club in July. Despite a fastball that
tops out at 85 mph, the 64 leftys deceptive three-quarters/side-armed motion
and exceptional control make him very tough to hit, especially for left-handed
hitters. He has allowed just two hits to 13 left handed batters with San
Francisco and could forge a niche as a lefty specialist.
Trivia Answer
Greg Moon Man Minton was the last
player before Beck to debut with San Francisco and save at least 30 or
more games in a single year for the Giants.
Drafted by Kansas City in the 3rd
round in 1970, Minton was acquired by trade in 1973 and made his big
league debut in 1975.
In 1982, his 30 saves led the team and
made him the first Giants pitcher ever to reach that plateau. He
ranks
fourth with 125 saves in his San Francisco
career. |
Justin Hedrick 2008
1.37/0.94/.176 65.2 IP, 41 H, 21 BB, 74 K 9 SV
Eastern League
Connecticut Defenders
6th round
2004 DOB 6-8-82 Throws Right
Hedrick has enjoyed a stellar 08 campaign at Connecticut
and could compete as soon as next spring for a bullpen spot Hes got four
pitches he can get you out with that have resulted in 379 career strikeouts in
just 317.1 minor league innings and a career .191 BAA.
Steve Edlefsen 2008
8-5, 3.36/1.40/.250 77.2 IP, 71 H, 38 BB, 77 K, 2.34 GO/AO
California League
San Jose Giants
16th round
2007 DOB 6-27-85 Throws Right
A former all-state hitter as a shortstop in high school,
the 62 Edlefsen attacks hitters with a power sinker, short breaking ball, and
according to manager Steve Decker, serious attitude. That combo has resulted
in a lot of groundballs and strikeouts, plus not many hits. Last year with
Salem-Keizer, he allowed just 14 hits in 33.1 innings. Hell take his sinker to
the tropics this winter to pitch for Waikiki in the HWL.
Aaron King 2008
MiLB 2.97/1.32/.216 33.1 IP, 25 H, 19 BB, 45 K
Northwest League
Salem-Keizer Volcanoes
7th round
2008 DOB 4-27-89 Throws Left
King was rated among the top Junior College pitchers in the
country prior to this years draft. A 64 lefty, he works his mid-90s fastball
and hard slider well together to strike out a lot of batters, but an
unconventional delivery can cause him to become erratic around the strike zone.
King is likely to end up in the pen in the long run, but hell also be given a
chance to start.
Andrew De La Garza
2008 3.33/0.98/.217 78.1 IP, 63 H, 14 BB, 79 K, 4 HR 9 SV
South Atlantic League
Augusta Green Jackets
18th round
2007 DOB 10-20-84 Throws Left
Another strike thrower, De La Garza's fastball sits in the 89-92 mph
range, plus he has a great changeup and nice slider. He was used more often in
late situations as the season progressed, saving 7 games in July while also
closing out three post-season matches, including the SAL Championship clincher.
Taylor Wilding 2008
1-6, 3.39/1.27/.262 71.2 IP, 72 H, 19 BB, 74 K 11 SV
California League
San Jose Giants
13th round
2005 DOB 10-22-84 Throws Right
A hard thrower, Wilding was an All-Star in 07 for San Jose,
then struggled after a promotion to Double-A Connecticut. He has saved 23
games over the past two seasons for the junior Giants, but will need to show
that he
can succeed at higher levels beginning next season.
David Quinowski
2007 3.27/1.06/.172 33 IP, 19 H, 35 K 2.14 ERA, 0.99 WHIP Career
Injured Shoulder
Out For Season
46th round
2004 DOB 4-23-86 Throws Left
A tough to hit side-arming lefty with a mid-to-high-80s
fastball, changeup, and curve, Quinowski has allowed just 67 hits in 122 minor
league innings while striking out 130. He broke out in 2006 with Augusta when
he held opposing hitters to a .148 batting average in 75 innings.
Brian Anderson
Career 2.59/1.06/.999 128 G, 85 SV 146 IP, 115 H, 40 BB, 173 K
Injured Tommy John
Surgery Out For Season
14th round
2005 DOB 5-25-83 Throws Right
The California League Pitcher of the Year in 2006 with San
Jose, Anderson relies on control and movement to overpower hitters. Despite a
fastball that rarely tops 90 MPH, he set a Cal-League record with 37 saves for
the junior Giants, including the first 31 consecutively after going 19-for-20
the year before with Augusta. Hes missed the entire 08 season with an elbow
injury and recently underwent reconstructive surgery meaning hes likely to miss
most, if not all, of the 09 season as well.
A very
special thank you goes out to Phillip Ramirez, my Arizona eyes and ears, whose
contributions to this report were absolutely invaluable. Be sure to check out
his
AZL Giants Blog for all the latest the Giants top Rookie League prospects.
Additional thanks also go out to Wes Snow in Augusta for all of his help.
San
Francisco Giants Minor League Affiliates |
Team |
League |
Class |
Fresno Grizzlies |
Pacific Coast League |
AAA |
Connecticut Defenders |
Eastern League |
AA |
San Jose Giants |
California League |
A (Advanced) |
Augusta Green Jackets |
South Atlantic League |
A |
Salem-Keizer Volcanoes |
Northwest League |
A (Short-Season) |
AZL Giants |
Arizona Rookie League |
Rookie |
DSL Giants |
Dominican Summer League |
Rookie |
Other
Articles in the Series:
Monday, September 8
Catchers
Wednesday, September 10
Corner Infielders