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| Former Giants On The Brink Of The Majors |
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By Joe Ritzo 11/30/2007
Several Players Looking To Debut In 2008
John Bowker, a San Jose Giant in '05 and
'06, could debut in the major leagues
with San Francisco next season
(photo by Damon Tarver) |
When examining the ballclubs in Connecticut (AA) and Fresno (AAA) last season, you’ll find several former San Jose Giants that put forth standout performances. Hitters and pitchers alike made the jump to the higher levels of the San Francisco farm system. They enjoyed a fair amount of success and now appear poised to reach the major leagues at some point during the 2008 campaign.
In the 20-year history of the franchise, 113 San Jose Giants have gone on to play in the major leagues. Last season, eight names, headlined by pitcher Tim Lincecum, were added to the board at Municipal Stadium signifying the remarkable achievement. An article on the former San Jose Giants who reached “The Show” in 2007 can be found here.
When looking for players that may advance to the majors at some point in 2008, the names, perhaps, at the top of the list are outfielders John Bowker and Clay Timpner. Both Bowker and Timpner were added to San Francisco’s 40-man roster last week thus protecting the duo from the upcoming Rule 5 Draft. It’s a clear sign that the San Francisco front office is excited about the potential of these two players and believes they have what it takes to help the major league club in the near future.
Bowker, at times, appeared stalled in the California League after spending two full years with San Jose. In 2005, he hit .267 with 13 home runs. The following season, Bowker raised his average to .284, but saw a decrease in his home run output (7). A high draft pick of the Giants in 2004 (third round out of Long Beach State), many wondered how Bowker would react to the Eastern League in 2007. After decent, but certainly not spectacular numbers in the hitting-friendly California League, Bowker was going to get a stern test in what’s regarded as one of the toughest leagues for hitters in minor league baseball.
What transpired last season should have Giants fans excited about Bowker's future. The slugger enjoyed a breakout year in earning All-Star honors. Bowker finished with a .307 batting average and outstanding power numbers of 35 doubles, 22 home runs, and 90 RBI. It was the type of season that forced the Giants to place Bowker on the 40-man roster and a promotion to Fresno now certainly seems in order. Could San Francisco be next?
San Jose Giants fans remember Timpner as the outstanding defensive center fielder and leadoff hitter on the ’05 championship team. After an up-and-down 2006 season with Connecticut and Fresno, Timpner established himself in the Pacific Coast League last year.
The former fourth round draft pick hit a career-high .301 with six home runs and 39 RBI in 109 games with the Grizzlies. Now on the 40-man roster and with a solid season at Triple-A under his belt, Timpner is on the verge of reaching the major leagues. In fact, Timpner probably has a better chance to play in San Francisco before Bowker because of his previous experience in Fresno and his ability to play a top-flight defensive center field. If the big club needs an extra outfielder, perhaps because of an injury, Timpner now seems like a logical choice to earn a promotion and help fill the void. Bowker, meanwhile, on the heels of his tremendous season in Double-A, probably spends most of 2008 with Fresno with the hopes of reaching the major leagues by the end of the year.
While Bowker and Timpner are probably at the top of the list of former San Jose Giants to debut in the major leagues next season, there are others – even those not on the 40-man roster – that could reach “The Show.” Fellow outfielder Brian Horwitz, a San Jose Giant in ’05 and ’06, has done nothing but produce as a professional. Despite going undrafted three years ago, Horwitz has already won two batting titles in the Giants farm system and didn’t slow one bit at the Triple-A level last summer.
The Most Outstanding Player in the 2005 California League Championship Series, Horwitz started last season in Connecticut before an early-season promotion to the PCL. In Fresno, Horwitz hit .326 with 21 doubles, one home run, and 21 RBI. With a career batting average of well over .300, eventually Horwitz will be too tough to ignore despite his lack of prospect status.
Horwitz isn’t considered a major prospect because of his limited home run production as a professional. In four seasons, he’s only hit 11 home runs – normally not enough for consideration to earn a spot on a major league roster. It will be interesting to follow Horwitz's 2008 season. At what point do you give the guy a chance in San Francisco? Batting averages of roughly .330 every season have to count for something.
Unfortunately for Horwitz, he’s playing the wrong position when it comes to cracking the San Francisco outfield rotation. Young outfielders Rajai Davis, Fred Lewis, and Nate Schierholtz will probably all see significant action with the big club this year. Then, you have Bowker and Timpner – two top-level prospects who are now on the 40-man roster. Horwitz is going to have to put up spectacular numbers and probably hit for more power to get a look in San Francisco next season. A position switch to first base could also be in the works.
Over on the pitching side, the list of former San Jose Giants that could debut in the majors next season looks different. While some of the hitters already have extensive Triple-A experience, the top pitchers spent last season in Double-A. The relief duo of Brian Anderson and Justin Hedrick, who dominated the California League together in 2006, continued their success in Connecticut last season. Both should begin ’08 with Fresno, but may have a chance to reach the majors before the year has concluded.
Anderson, the 2006 California League Pitcher of the Year, led the Eastern League in saves last season with 29. He didn’t allow a single earned run in the recently completed Arizona Fall League and will be expected to anchor the Fresno bullpen this spring.
Hedrick actually finished with a far better ERA than Anderson last season (2.14 compared to 3.93) and is averaging over a strikeout per inning pitched as a professional. A former sixth round draft pick, Hedrick was left unprotected in the Rule 5 Draft, so there is a possibility that another team could acquire the relief pitcher next week. Hedrick spent all of 2005, in addition to 2006, with San Jose.
Relief pitchers Osiris Matos and Kelvin Pichardo have Double-A experience and unlike Anderson and Hedrick, are on the 40-man roster. Matos compiled a 5-0 record, 2.89 ERA, and four saves in Connecticut last season. He was a key member of the San Jose bullpen during the playoffs. Pichardo split time between San Jose and Connecticut last season combining for a 3.33 ERA and 87 strikeouts in 67 2/3 innings. Both hurlers feature excellent mid-90’s fastballs and could advance quickly through the system.
Two darkhorse pitchers to watch include left-hander Alex Hinshaw and right-hander Sergio Romo. Hinshaw was practically unhittable with the Defenders last season owing a 1.96 ERA and .155 opponents batting average before a midseason injury. The southpaw throws hard and features electric secondary pitches. Hinshaw was a California League All-Star in 2006. Meanwhile, Romo spent all of last year in San Jose, but made a name for himself with his banner 2007 – both in California and Arizona. Romo logged a 1.36 ERA and nine saves with the Giants before a 0.64 ERA in Arizona Fall League action. Hinshaw and Romo should both begin the year in either Connecticut or Fresno, but if they continue to build on their outstanding 2007 outputs, a call to San Francisco could be in their future.
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