2010 San Jose Giants Preview: Outfield
Neal (.337, 22 HR, 90 RBI), Kieschnick (.296, 23 HR, 110 RBI) and Ford (.300, 9 HR, 30 RBI, 35 SB) are all currently participating in major league camp and will likely join manager Andy Skeels in Double-A Richmond to begin the regular season. It's unlikely that speedster Tyler Graham, who played 73 games with the Giants last year, would return for a third consecutive season in San Jose while reserve Shane Jordan has retired. The production of this group will be almost impossible to duplicate this year, but hopes are still high for a solid output among the players expected to roam the Municipal Stadium outfield this season.
The projected starter in center field this season is exciting prospect Francisco Peguero. Peguero, who was added to San Francisco's 40-man roster this past offseason, is no stranger to the California League after his noteworthy debut last September. The 21-year old joined San Jose for the playoffs last year and made an immediate impact in helping the team to the championship. In fact, Peguero was the Giants' leading hitter in the postseason with a .387 batting average (12-for-31), two doubles, a triple and three RBI's. He struck out only once, played solid defense in center field for the injured Ford and for his efforts, was named Most Outstanding Player of the Championship Series.
A career .304 hitter, Peguero broke out in the second half of last season as Augusta's (Low-A) everyday starter in center. He posted a .379 batting average in July and then hit at a .345 clip in August as the GreenJackets fought for a playoff berth. Overall, Peguero hit a team-leading .340 in 58 games with Augusta in addition to collecting 12 doubles, four triples, one home run, 34 RBI's and 15 stolen bases. With his outstanding speed and high batting average, it's expected that Peguero would bat somewhere in the top three spots of the San Jose batting order.
One area of Peguero's game that could use improvement will be his ability to draw walks, especially if he's going to bat first in the lineup. In 309 at-bats during the regular season last year, he only walked eight times, which is an extraordinarily low number. That supposed lack of patience though was not evident during the California League playoffs as Peguero drew five walks in eight games and did an excellent job of getting on base any way possible. Certainly showing a little more patience at the plate will be emphasized for Peguero as he continues to move up the ladder.
Still, there's very little not to like about this young player. Peguero plays with a passion for the game similar to that of Pablo Sandoval and would likely become a fan favorite in San Jose this year. As his skills continue to develop, Peguero could become a legitimate five-tool player and an elite prospect in the San Francisco organization.
While Peguero enjoyed a breakthrough year in 2009, fellow outfielder Wendell Fairley is hoping that 2010 will be his season to shine. Fairley, 22, was one of six players selected in the first round of the '07 draft by the San Francisco Giants. Regarded as one of the most athletic players in that entire draft, Fairley, who was chosen out of the high school ranks, was also considered very raw. As Augusta's primary starter in left field last season, Fairley hit a disappointing .243 to go with 20 doubles, three home runs and 42 RBI's. Clearly, he has yet to tap into that enormous potential, but Fairley is still a younger player and he should be given every opportunity to succeed in San Jose this year.
The 6'2" Mississippi native reportedly has tremendous bat speed and strength, well above-average speed and a plus arm - all of the tools you would expect in someone that was drafted in the first round. However, Fairley, who bats left-handed, has managed just five home runs and nine stolen bases combined in his first two professional seasons. He's still considered a prospect and was a non-roster invitee to major league camp this year, but Fairley, along with fellow former first round pick Charlie Culberson (2B), will likely fall into the category of someone who needs a breakthrough season at the plate if the Giants are going to contend in the California League this year.
Right field in San Jose this year figures to be more of an open competition and several players could rotate at the position throughout the season. Right-handed power bat Juan Perez is a strong candidate to see substantial time at the position this year. Perez, 23, was a 13th round draft pick two years ago after a standout career at Western Oklahoma State Junior College. In fact, Perez hit 37 home runs during his final collegiate season - just one long ball shy of the national junior college record.
Last year in Augusta, Perez managed only a .244 batting average, but did rank among the team leaders in doubles (29), home runs (9) and RBI's (54). He also stole 18 bases and showed some versatility by garnering a lot of playing time at second base. With Culberson expected to start nearly everyday at second this season in San Jose, it would seem likely that right field is Perez's destination. Like with Peguero and Fairley, Perez has above average speed and should be able to use it to his advantage. Right-handed power hitters typically post better home run numbers than lefties at Municipal Stadium and on a team that could be challenged to hit the long ball with regularity, Perez would be counted on to provide a lift in that department.
James Simmons, another player who features good speed, is also a candidate for the San Jose outfield this year. Simmons, 24, has spent most of the last three seasons in Augusta, showing modest improvement in his batting average each year (.193 in 2007, .232 in 2008, .252 in 2009). Last season, he hit four home runs, collected 35 RBI's and stole 15 bases in 16 attempts. Simmons can play all three outfield positions, but has seen most of his action in right field of late.
Dom Duggan could make a return to San Jose after spending a portion of 2008 as a reserve outfielder for the Giants. On Steve Decker's club, Duggan hit .247 with no home runs in 85 at-bats. Last season, the 25-year old was a member of the Augusta squad and struggled to a .220 batting average in 96 games. Duggan did knock out five triples and three home runs to go with 33 RBI's and a team-best 23 steals. If he returns to San Jose, Duggan would be another fleet-footed player capable of covering a lot of ground in the Municipal Stadium outfield.
Finally, Josh Mazzola would be an intriguing candidate to see some action in right field this season. Mazzola was Augusta's team leader in home runs (16) and RBI's (96) last year before joining San Jose for the playoffs. His primary position is first base, but he also played 33 games in right field for the GreenJackets last season and would figure to be an option out there this year if needed.
2009 Salem-Keizer corner outfielders Ryan Lollis (.312, 2 HR, 25 RBI) and Dan Cook (.294, 2 HR, 37 RBI) each had productive seasons with the Volcanoes last year and could be pushed to San Jose, especially with standout efforts during spring training. However, their most likely destination is probably Augusta to begin the season.
2010 San Jose Giants Outfield Prospects
* Dom Duggan, OF
Augusta: .220, 3 HR, 33 RBI, 23 SB
* Wendell Fairley, LF
Augusta: .243, 3 HR, 42 RBI, 2 SB
* Josh Mazzola, 1B/RF
Augusta: .284, 16 HR, 96 RBI
* Francisco Peguero, CF
Augusta: .340, 1 HR, 34 RBI, 15 SB
Salem-Keizer: .394, 0 HR, 12 RBI, 7 SB
* Juan Perez, RF/2B
Augusta: .244, 9 HR, 54 RBI, 18 SB
* James Simmons, RF
Augusta: .252, 4 HR, 35 RBI, 15 SB
2010 San Jose Giants Previews will continue next week on sjgiants.com with a look at the corner infield positions.