San Francisco Giants: Stock Up, Stock Down for Top 10 Prospects for Week 22

The San Francisco Giants enter September with a record of 61-75. They're 20 games behind the first-place Los Angeles Dodgers.

Thus, the final month of the season will be more exciting for the September call-ups than anything else, as the Giants aren't in the pennant race. Heath Hembree is the only top-10 prospect in the system who is likely to be called up to the big leagues. Edwin Escobar is certainly deserving of a look, but it's unlikely that he'll get the call.

Although Eric Surkamp was roughed up in his lone spot start for the Giants this year, he's earned another look with how well he's pitched at Triple-A Fresno. Infielder Ehire Adrianza could also get a shot after hitting .309/.414/.441 over 43 games with Fresno.

The rest of the Giants' top prospects are further away from the big leagues, so they won't be coming up in September. Let's take a look at how the club's top prospects did in the final week of the minor league regular season.

All statistics are courtesy of MiLB.com and Baseball-Reference.com.

1. Kyle Crick

2013 Stats at High-A San Jose: 14 GS, 3-1 W-L, 1.57 ERA, 39 BB, 95 K, 68.2 IP

 

Overview

Kyle Crick saved his best stuff for his final regular season start last week. He struck out 11 and didn't walk a batter while allowing two hits over seven shutout innings. According to San Jose Giants' broadcaster Joe Ritzo, Crick continued to sit at 95-96 mph into his final inning of work.

Crick was limited to only 68.2 innings on the year due to an oblique injury that he suffered during his third start. However, he spent quite a bit of timing rehabbing in Arizona, so he should be ready to ramp back up to the 111.1 innings he threw last year at Low-A Augusta. He'll almost certainly be promoted to the Double-A level in 2014.

Crick has struck out 231 hitters over 187 innings thus far in his minor league career. He's posted a 2.31 ERA while allowing only two home runs and 132 hits.

The only thing that can prevent him from becoming a top-of-the-rotation starter is his lack of control. He's walked 114 hitters during his career for a rate of 5.5 per nine innings pitched. He'll have to cut back on the free passes to reach his ceiling.

If he can improve his control, he could follow in the footsteps of Matt Cain, Tim Lincecum and Madison Bumgarner as the next ace in San Francisco.

Last Week: 1 GS, 7 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 11 K

Stock: Up

2. Clayton Blackburn

2013 Stats at High-A San Jose: 23 GS, 7-5, 3.65 ERA, 35 BB, 138 K, 133 IP

 

Overview

Clayton Blackburn finished his regular-season work with six shutout innings last week. He struck out seven, walked one and allowed only three hits.

Blackburn followed up an exceptional year at Augusta last year by going 7-5 with a 3.65 ERA and compiling an excellent 138/35 strikeout-to-walk ratio for San Jose.

Blackburn doesn't have exceptional stuff. His fastball sits in the high-80s, and tops out at 92 mph. Baseball America wrote this scouting report on Blackburn during the offseason: 

"

He has advanced feel for a curveball and slider that he can shape to fit any situation. He also has an inconsistent changeup. Blackburn will make his curve a little harder when he needs a strikeout, but he's more interested in pitching to contract. His mound presence, command and ability to set up hitters are uncanny for a pitcher his age...He doesn't have enough pure stuff to project as a staff ace, but Blackburn can be a solid mid-rotation option.

"

Blackburn and Crick both could force their way to the big leagues by 2015 if they continue to pitch well at Double-A next year. The two 20-year-old righties have been on the same team two years in a row, and they could end up being teammates for a long time in San Francisco.

Last Week: 1 GS, 6 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 7 K

Stock: Up

3. Chris Stratton

2013 Stats at Low-A Augusta: 22 GS, 9-3, 3.27 ERA, 47 BB, 123 K, 132 IP

 

Overview

Chris Stratton's start last week was a good microcosm for his season. He allowed seven hits, three walks and four runs while striking out four over 6.2 innings. He pitched well but he wasn't dominant. David Lee of The Augusta Chronicle wrote after Stratton's last start:

"

GreenJackets starter Chris Stratton allowed four runs on seven hits in 6 2/3 innings, striking out four. Stratton worked with a good two-pitch combination to induce nine swinging strikes, but he gave up more fly balls than normal with 12.

Stratton maintained good command but did allow four line drives and three walks.

'He was down in the zone, which was good to see,' [manager Mike] Goff said. 'But the left-handed hitters went down and hit some good pitches, and you tip your hat to them. I didn’t think he pitched that bad.'

"

The Giants' 2012 first-round pick went 9-3 with a 3.27 ERA at Low-A Augusta this season. He was solid, but Crick and Blackburn were both far more dominant at the same level last year. 

Crick and Blackburn were both drafted out of high school, while Stratton was a collegiate player. Thus, he's already 23 years old while Crick and Blackburn are only 20, and they're already a full level ahead of Stratton.

Last Week: 1 GS, 6.2 IP, 7 H, 4 ER, 3 BB, 4 K 

Stock: Even

4. Edwin Escobar

2013 Stats at High-A San Jose: 16 GP, 3-4, 2.89 ERA, 17 BB, 92 K, 74.2 IP

2013 Stats with Double-A Richmond: 10 GS, 5-4, 2.67 ERA, 13 BB, 54 K, 54 IP

2013 Cumulative Stats: 26 GP, 8-8, 2.80 ERA, 30 BB, 146 K, 128.2 IP

 

Overview

Edwin Escobar took the biggest leap forward of any prospect in the Giants' system this season. After posting a 2.89 ERA and striking out 92 over 74.2 innings at High-A San Jose, he earned a midseason promotion to Double-A.

He more than held his own over 10 starts with Richmond. The 20-year-old lefty went 5-4 with a 2.67 ERA while striking out one batter per inning. He's probably a little too inexperienced to be a rotation candidate at the outset of 2014, but he could put himself in the conversation with a good spring performance.

Escobar finished the regular season by throwing 5.1 innings of two-run ball last week. He allowed only three hits and two walks while striking out six.

He's already on the 40-man roster, so he's a candidate to be called up to the big leagues. However, the Giants are only planning on calling up five or six players, which makes it less likely Escobar will be up.

Last Week: 2 GS, 5.1 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 6 K

Stock: Up

5. Joe Panik

2013 Stats at Double-A Richmond: .259/.336/.349, .685 OPS, 27 2B, 4 3B, 4 HR

 

Overview

Joe Panik went just 4-for-23 (.174) with three walks last week. With one game left in the season, he's hitting .259/.336/.349.

He hit .297/.368/.402 at High-A San Jose last year. His OPS has fallen from .868 in 2010 to .770 in 2011 and .685 this year.

The Giants used their first-round pick on Panik in 2011. The year before, they drafted Gary Brown in the first round. Brown's OPS has fallen from .925 in 2011 at San Jose to .731 at Double-A last year and .660 at Triple-A Fresno this year.

In an ideal world, Panik and Brown would have been in a position to help the Giants at some point this season. Instead, both former first-round picks took steps backwards in 2013.

The good news for Panik is that he's only 22 years old, so time is still on his side. His 58-to-66 walk-to-strikeout ratio shows that he can handle the bat, make contact and get on base via the walk.

However, he needs to get his batting average back up close to .300 if he's going to provide the Giants with value in the future. He doesn't have enough power to hit .260 and still be a valuable everyday player. 

Last Week: 4-for-23, 4 BB, 2B, 3B 

Stock: Down

6. Andrew Susac

2013 Stats at Double-A Richmond: .256/.362/.458, .820 OPS, 17 2B, 12 HR

 

Overview

Andrew Susac missed the final month of the season with a shoulder impingement, per Jon Laaser of Richmond's Sports Radio 910 AM. Before the shoulder issue, Susac spent time on the disabled list with a hand injury. 

Injuries derailed what had been an outstanding season for Susac. He hit .256/.362/.458 with 29 extra-base hits including 12 home runs before going down with the shoulder injury.

After playing in only 84 games this season, Susac will head to the Arizona Fall League to get in some extra work.

Last Week: Did not play.

Stock: Even

7. Martin Agosta

2013 Stats at Low-A Augusta:  18 GS, 9-3, 2.06 ERA, 43 BB, 109 K, 91.2 IP

 

Overview

Martin Agosta battled through five innings last week as he continued to build up his arm strength after battling injuries for most of the second half. He started only two games from June 22 through August 13 as he battled a dead arm and recurring blister issues.

He allowed seven baserunners in five innings of work last week, but he struck out six and gave up only two runs. The 2012 second-round pick from St. Mary's College went 9-3 with a 2.06 ERA in his first full minor league season. He struck out 109 hitters over 91.2 innings for an impressive strikeout rate of 10.7 per nine innings pitched.

His injuries and control problems (4.2 BB/9) put him behind Crick, Blackburn, Stratton and Escobar at this point. However, Agosta has had a very good year nonetheless, and he'll have a chance to take another step forward in 2014.

Last Week: 1 GS, 5 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 6 K

Stock: Even

8. Heath Hembree

2013 Stats at Triple-A Fresno: 54 GP, 1-4, 4.07 ERA, 16 BB, 63 K, 55.2 IP, 31 Saves 

 

Overview

Heath Hembree should be coming up to San Francisco as rosters expand. He's saved 31 games and struck out 63 hitters against only 16 walks over 55.2 innings at Fresno.

Hembree should be able to help the Giants in the late innings. He has a power fastball that touches 96 mph and an above-average slider. His arsenal has allowed him to strike out 206 hitters over 162.2 career minor league innings.

The Giants are 10th in the league in bullpen ERA this season. Hembree should be able to help bolster the pen during the season's final month and perhaps during 2014 as well.

Last Week: 2 GP, 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, 1 Save

Stock:Up

9. Mac Williamson

2013 Stats at High-A San Jose: .295/.378/.508, .885 OPS, 31 2B, 2 3B, 25 HR

 

Overview

Mac Williamson finished the regular season on a tear. He hit .457/.533/.771 with three home runs over his final 10 games.

He finished the year with a slash line of .295/.378/.508. He blasted 25 home runs, and 58 of his 152 hits went for extra bases.

The real test for Williamson will come at the Double-A level. Brown, Panik, Roger Kieschnick and Brandon Crawford all struggled at Double-A after having success with San Jose. On the other hand, Buster Posey, Brandon Belt and Pablo Sandoval all continued to have success after graduating from the High-A level.

Williamson's performance in 2014 will go a long way towards determining his future role with the Giants. If he can repeat his success from this season, he'll certainly be a part of the Giants' outfield mix in the future.

Last Week: 9-for-22, HR, 5 BB 

Stock: Up

10. Christian Arroyo

2013 Stats in Arizona Rookie League: .326/.388/.511, .898 OPS, 18 2B, 5 3B, 2 HR

 

Overview

Christian Arroyo had a terrific beginning to his professional career after the Giants used their 2013 first-round pick on him. He hit .326/.388/.511 with 25 extra-base hits in 184 at-bats.

The 18-year-old shortstop finished the regular season by hitting .432/.475/.757 over his final 10 games. The jury remains out on Brown, Panik and Stratton, the Giants' last three first-round picks before Arroyo. However, it looks like they got it right by selecting Arroyo this year. 

If the beginning of his professional career is any indication, the Giants have an excellent prospect on their hands.

Last Week: 6-for-12, HR, 2B, BB

Stock: Up

Honorable Mentions

Here are some other notable prospects in the Giants' system:

Gary Brown is hitting just .128/.190/.128 over his last 10 games. He hasn't earned a September call-up with the way he's finished the season.

Ty Blach went 12-4 with a 2.90 ERA at San Jose. He struck out 117 against only 18 walks in 130.1 innings.

Kendry Flores went 10-6 with a 2.73 ERA at Augusta. He struck out 137 against just 17 walks over 141.2 innings of work.

Adalberto Mejia finished the regular season by striking out nine over seven innings. He went 7-4 with a 3.31 ERA and 89 strikeouts in 87 innings at San Jose.

Eric Surkamp was blasted for seven runs in 2.2 innings during his only start for the Giants this year. However, he went 7-1 with a 2.78 ERA over 11 starts for Fresno. He's certainly worthy of another look in the San Francisco rotation.

Michael Kickham will spend September in the San Francisco bullpen. He went 7-7 with a 4.31 ERA over 20 starts at Fresno this year.

2013 second-round pick Ryder Jones hit .317/.394/.400 over 37 games in his professional debut.

Third baseman Adam Duvall has 44 extra-base hits in 104 games at Double-A Richmond. Duvall, Susac and Williamson are the top power bats in the system.