Next Crop Of Former SJ Giants Look To Debut In 2013

Over the 25-year history of the San Jose Giants, 155 former players have reached the major leagues. In 2012, it was seven players who once called Municipal Stadium home that made it to "The Show" for the first time while 10 others were on San Francisco's postseason roster. Now looking ahead to 2013, there's a new crop of former SJ Giants that are looking to achieve their big league dreams.

Here's a list of 10 players that could make their debut next season with the San Francisco Giants:

Ehire Adrianza, INF
After a breakout season offensively with San Jose in 2011, Adrianza struggled this year as he made the jump to Double-A Richmond. The slick-fielding shortstop batted just .220 in 127 games while also collecting 22 doubles, five triples, three home runs and 16 stolen bases. Adrianza is on the 40-man roster, which increases his chances for a big league appearance in 2013. He's still regarded as a premier defensive player, but will need to show improved production at the plate in the upper levels of the farm system next year to put himself in position for a call-up.

Gary Brown, OF
Considered to be the top position player prospect in the Giants organization, Brown put together a solid 2012 campaign in Richmond. The speedy center fielder recovered from a slow start to hit .279 with 32 doubles, seven home runs and 33 stolen bases. Brown should receive ample playing time in big league camp next spring before a likely assignment to Triple-A Fresno. If he excels in the hitter-friendly conditions of the Pacific Coast League, a big league call-up at some point in 2013 seems very possible.

Chris Dominguez, OF
Despite a midseason promotion from Richmond to Fresno, 2012 was often a struggle for Dominguez. After making the transition from third base to the outfield before the start of the season, he hit a combined .235 with just five home runs in 92 games between the two clubs. Dominguez features some of the best raw power in the organization to go with an outstanding throwing arm, so he should receive plenty of opportunities to show what he can do in Fresno next year. He hit 18 homers between San Jose and Richmond in 2011 after a 21-homer season with Augusta a year prior.

Chris Gloor, LHP
This left-hander put himself on the map in 2012 with a breakout year as a starting pitcher with the Richmond Flying Squirrels. Limited to just three appearances with San Jose in 2011 due to injury, Gloor bounced back strong this season to post a 2.81 ERA over 105 2/3 innings at the Double-A level. He's now getting an opportunity to start games in the Arizona Fall League before possibly receiving his first crack at Triple-A to begin next season. Gloor will have to continue to prove himself at every level, but a strong start to his 2013 should put him in the discussion for a call-up.

Heath Hembree, RHP
Arguably the top relief pitcher prospect in the organization, Hembree burst onto the scene with a spectacular 2011 season in San Jose and Richmond. He started strong with Fresno this year, but a midseason slump combined with an arm injury that knocked the hard-throwing right-hander out of action for over a month prevented a 2012 big league debut. Hembree finished the year with a 4.74 ERA and a team-high tying 15 saves. He also registered 36 strikeouts in 38 innings while limiting the opposition to a paltry .207 batting average. Hembree features electric stuff and is a strong candidate to see big league time at some point next season.

Chris Heston, RHP
After emerging as San Jose's top starting pitcher during the second half of 2011, Heston took his game to another level with Richmond this year. The right-hander logged an impressive 2.24 ERA in 25 starts to go with 135 strikeouts and just 40 walks over 148 2/3 innings. For his efforts, Heston was named Eastern League Pitcher of the Year. Heston may still not be considered a top starting pitching prospect, but his numbers are becoming too hard to ignore. If a need for a starter in San Francisco arises and he continues his success in Fresno, a big league call-up might be in the cards next year.

Roger Kieschnick, OF
A power-hitting corner outfielder, Kieschnick continues to struggle with injuries. He began the 2012 season as Fresno's top run-producer before a late-May shoulder injury that occurred when he crashed into a wall. By the time he returned in late-August, it was too late to make an impact with the big club. When he was healthy, Kieschnick put up excellent numbers for the Grizzlies connecting for 15 home runs to go with 13 doubles, 40 RBI's and .306 batting average in 55 games. A member of the 40-man roster, Kieschnick should get a long look during big league spring training. Even if he returns to Fresno at the start of the year, an opportunity with San Francisco is probably not far behind.

Nick Noonan, INF
A former supplemental first round draft pick, Noonan has often struggled to live up to his top prospect potential. However, 2012 saw the infielder seemingly start to put everything together as he batted .296 with 26 doubles and nine home runs as an important part of the Fresno Grizzlies lineup. A versatile player, Noonan has significant experience at shortstop and second base while he's also shown the ability to play third. With continued success in Triple-A, Noonan could squeeze his way onto the big league roster at some point in 2013.

Josh Osich, LHP
If healthy, Osich has a chance to shoot through the Giants farm system next year. A left-handed reliever with one of the best fastballs in the organization, Osich fashioned a 3.62 ERA with 34 strikeouts over 32 1/3 innings in San Jose this season as a rookie in the professional game. Multiple injuries have sidelined Osich in recent years, including two stints on the disabled list this season, but if he can stay on the field throughout all of 2013, the sky is the limit for this southpaw.

Joe Panik, INF
San Francisco's top draft pick in 2011, Panik earned Northwest League MVP honors with Salem-Keizer his first summer before a solid 2012 season in San Jose. Panik finished this year with the Giants batting at a .297 clip while also contributing 27 doubles, seven home runs and 10 stolen bases. A shortstop exclusively through his first two professional seasons, Panik may end up moving to second base in the near future due to Brandon Crawford's presence in San Francisco. He's yet to play an inning in the upper levels of the minor leagues, so a big league call-up for Panik in 2013 would seem to be unlikely, however his advanced approach to hitting could result in a quick ascension through the system next year.