Thursday, January 27, 2011

Down on the Farm: DrB's 2011 Giants Top 50 Prospects- #10 Charlie Culberson

#10 Charlie Culberson, 2B. BD: 4/10/1989. 6'1", 190 lbs. B-R, T-R.

A+: .290/.340/.457, 16 HR, 25 SB, 7 CS. AFL: .366/.394/.591, 11 2B, 2 3B, 2 HR in 93 AB.

Charlie Culberson was the the 5'th HS player the Giants drafted out of 6 first and supplemental first round picks in the 2007 draft. He was widely considered an overdraft, but the Giants really liked him. He started out at shortstop and struggled his first pro season in Augusta. He moved to 3B in 2009 still in Augusta and still struggled. By this time a lot of prospect watchers were ready to all but write him off. The Giants had other ideas and moved him once again, this time to 2B, while promoting him to San Jose. He responded with somewhat of a breakout season hitting for average and power with a dash of speed to boot. He was much better defensively at 2B where his arm strength allowed him to excel at relay throws on DP's. He backed his San Jose performance by tearing up the Arizona Fall League.

Charlie is a bit tall for a 2B and still has a lanky appearance with room to fill out his frame by another 10-15 lbs. He already has good power for a middle IF. As he matures, I envision a Jeff Kent type power hitting 2B with adequate fielding skills. The big question is whether he can maintain an adequate BA in the majors.

Where he plays in 2011 is an interesting question. He's clearly moved ahead of Nick Noonan on the Giants 2B prospect depth chart leading me to think Noonan might stay another season in AA while Charlie jumps over him to Fresno. I have mixed feelings about that. I like the challenge that the EL provides Giants hitting prospects. It helps toughen up the ones who survive it, but is so tough it can destroy confidence too. Fresno, on the other hand, grossly inflates offensive numbers possibly leading to bad habits at the plate. Lately, the Giants best hitting prospects, Sandoval, Posey and Brandon Belt have either skipped AA altogether or only spent about a month there, so maybe it doesn't really make any difference where they play. They are either going to be MLB hitters or they aren't.

With Freddy Sanchez' contract up at the end of this season, and the increasing cost of keeping their homegrown pitchers, I would think Charlie has a chance to claim the Giants 2B position in 2012 with strong 2011 campaign.

3 comments:

  1. I know Freddy was clutch in the playoffs but I don't think he should get another contract after 2011. There is a lot of decent prospects we could give a chance such as Culberson, Noonan, or Cavan for 2B. I like the idea of the Giants getting younger. The last several years the answer was to sign someone past their prime such as DeRosa, Molina, Roberts, etc. Let's break that mold and get these prospects out there.

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  2. No mold to break, since Bonds was let go, the Giants have been balancing giving prospects a chance and trying to win with vets the past few years. Those players were signed because there were not prospects ready to take those positions, at least not to the extent where we could win if they flopped. Roberts was part of Bonds era, when they were trying to win with Barry.

    They have given all of our legitimate position prospects opportunities to hold a starting job so I am confident that if Culberson and/or Noonan show enough in 2011, the Giants will let Sanchez go and let the prospects compete for the spot. I would also throw Crawford's and Gillaspie's names out there, as well as Burriss. Hopefully between all of them, someone will show enough in 2011 so that the Giants can move on from Franchez.

    I'm thinking at that point, DeRosa is probably ready for a real bench role, and hopefully willing to sign for $1-2M to stay with us a la Burrell this season, as I don't expect any other team to want him that badly, assuming things go well and he don't play much. He would be a great backup in case the youngsters flop.

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  3. Color me "highly skeptical" of Culberson; I have hime at #25. As for skipping him over Noonan, I think that would be a terrible idea for each player. Charlie needs a dose of the EL, and Noonan deserves a first shot at the PCL (although I think he'll need 2 years there, so if Culberson does well in Richmond this year, there will be logjam in Fresno in 2012).

    I totally agree with Roger, in that we don't need to sign 2012's version of Ray Durham to replace FSanchez next year. Like Martin, I think we have plenty of internal candidates; and given the budget reality of our starting pitchers, we should be leaning toward homegrown (inexpensive) players where possible.

    My best guess: Culberson struggles at Richmond, and never makes the majors. Sorry. I hope all these guys turn into All-Stars, but since we know that ain't happening, my guess for not-making-it starts with Charles Culberson and Jackson Williams.

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