I had the opportunity to be at a convention in the east this last week and hit a number of games.  I went to games in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and new Yankees stadium.  PNC is an absolutely stunning park for anyone that might be in the area. 

The most interesting thing I noticed is that the Pirates flash the Pitch f/x data after every pitch.  They also show the velocity of each pitch at release and after it crosses the plate.  Both the Yanks and Phils only show the basic velo and pitch type. 

I haven't been to a game at AT&T in two years so I was curious if the Giants show the Pitch f/x data during the games?

Not that the draft is over it has got me to thinking about some of the other players that are in the farm system.  There are a number of Giants minor leaguers that we have not heard from this year and I'm curious as to their current status.  I'd appreciate any updates anyone has on the following players.  The McCoven insights and wisdom is greatly appreciated.

Dallas McPherson?

Jason Jarvis?

Hector Correa?

Hector Sanchez?

Bucardo brothers?

Francisco Peguero?

My Prospect Handbook arrived today.  In my opinion, Baseball America puts together a top quality book and I always look forward to receiving it.

Thanks to the indefatigable Andy Baggarly.

1. Bumgarner

2. Posey

3. Villalona

4. Alderson

5. Noonan

6. Adrianza

7. Gillaspie

8. Rodriguez

9. Barnes

10. Romo

11. Joaquin

12. Fairley

13. Sosa

14. Kieschnick

15. Pucetas

16. Williams

17. Ishikawa

18. Hinshaw

19. McBryde

20. Tanner

21. King

22. Peguero

23. Neal

24. Downs

25. Quirarte

26. Matos

27. Culberson

28. Perdomo

29. Sadler

30. Martinez

31. Valdez

Elias Rankings - Ask BA

"The Elias Sports Bureau statistical rankings have been released, so we can take our first look at which free agents could command draft-pick compensation this offseason.

Players who rate in the top 20 percent of their position group (catchers; first basemen, outfielders and DHs; second basemen, third basemen and shortstops; starting pitchers; and relief pitchers) are designated as Type A. Players who rank in the 21-40 percent bracket are designated as Type B.

If a Type A or B free agent's former club offers him arbitration, then it will receive compensation if he signs elsewhere. Type A free agents yield the signing team's first-round choice and a supplemental first-rounder, while Type Bs return only the sandwich-rounder. Clubs who finished in the bottom half of the major league standings can't surrender their first-round selection, and compensation picks for failure to sign draftees from the previous year can't change hands either.

With that out of the way, below are the potential Type A and B free agents by position (listed in order of Elias ranking). Not all of these players have filed for free agency yet."

If I have done my math correctly and understand the draft rules we officially locked in the 6th pick in the 2009 draft tonight.

The current order would be: Washington, Seattle, San Diego, Pittsburgh and Baltimore and then the Giants.  Even though we could still tie with the Braves the tiebreaker goes to the team who had the higher draft pick in 2008 which would give us the 6th pick.

It'll be interesting to see who gets the 10th pick because they will in effect get the 11th pick.  There are 4 teams that could still end up in 10th spot (maybe the White Sox/Tigers game on Monday will have draft implications as well as playoff implications).

I'm a diehard Giants fan but I've have really enjoyed watching the Rays play this year and am definitely rooting for you.  With that being said, the last 48 hours have been incredibly painful.

I'm curious what the consensus is on what the next step should be?  

From my outsider's point of view, I think the Rays need to trade for an OF bat and should be willing to trade any prospect minus Price (outsider's perspective).  I don't know who will clear waivers but I'm curious what the Rays diehards think.

The OFer's (Giles would have been ideal but that's obviously dead) that are most interesting to me are:

1. Holliday - Would he clear waivers? Cost in terms of prospects would be expensive.

2. Ibanez - Waivers? Shouldn't be too expensive unless Mariners continue to be ridiculous.

3. Winn - Should clear waivers but a tad pricey for next year.  Shouldn't be terribly expensive in players and used to play in Tampa.

4. Kemp or Either - Waivers? Would Dodgers trade either of these young players because of the surplus/glut they currently have in the OF. 

5. Mark Kotsay

6. Sheffield or Bonds - Headaches galore.  I would hate to see the Rays win the division after picking up one of these guys and the media give all the credit to them.  The flip side is the opportunity to win the division in the AL East is always going to be difficult so those opportunities need to be taken advantage of. 

I've never been worried about Buster signing but I have had my doubts about some of the other key Giants draftees.  I'm still shocked at the low number of picks that haven't signed.

Regardless, I did stumble across this little ditty on Rivals.com College Baseball coverage.  Let's hope their predictions come true.

OF ROGER KIESCHNICK

Our prediction: Signs pro contract
The skinny: The Dan Spencer era at Texas Tech is officially in business, and the Red Raiders would love to get back hard-hitting outfielder Roger Kieschnick this fall. Kieschnick was selected in the third round of the MLB Draft, but is strongly contemplating a return to the Hub City. In a few words, his return would be huge for the Red Raiders. In 2008, Kieschnick batted .305 with 17 homers and 65 RBIs. He also slugged .632 and had a .407 on-base percentage. While the Raiders should show improvement in 2009, Kieschnick would certainly help their chances.

SS BRANDON CRAWFORD

Our prediction: Signs pro contract
The skinny: This has been an interesting story to follow. Once considered to be a lock to sign, Crawford is contemplating a return to UCLA for his senior season. While Crawford didn't have a flashy junior campaign, he certainly compiled respectable numbers. The shortstop hit .302 with seven homers and 51 RBIs. He also slugged .491 and had a .394 on-base percentage. In the field, he had a .957 percentage. Though many observers believe Crawford has the ability to be a first rounder next summer, turning down fourth-round money is always a risky proposition.