The San Francisco Giants officially start their Spring Training 2014 schedule February 26th .
While getting a look at some new and familiar faces at the major league level is a key part of spring, this time of the year presents the perfect opportunity to take a look at the future of the organization – those who have generated buzz for their minor league performances since this time last year.
This series will profile 10 Giants prospects who should make an impact in San Francisco in the foreseeable future.
You can find the previous installments of this series here:
Heath Hembree & Chris Stratton
Clayton Blackburn & Christian Arroyo
The next set of prospects features two position players on the cusp of the majors: catcher Andrew Susac and infielder Joe Panik. Drafted in the first two rounds by San Francisco in 2011, this pair has risen through the minors together and each are expected to debut within the next year.
Andrew Susac
Projected long-term position: Catcher
2013 level: Double-A, Richmond Flying Squirrels
Age: 23
The Oregon State product and Northern California native was taken in the 2nd round of the 2011 draft.
After posting back-to-back solid seasons behind the plate at San Jose and Richmond respectively, Susac is on the verge of being major league ready.
Susac's strong showing allowed the Giants to trade their other top catching prospect, Tommy Joseph, to Philadelphia in the Hunter Pence deal.
With a strong arm that should handle most base-stealers, along with quality receiving ability, his defensive skills profile well for Susac staying behind the plate long-term, even if there is a logjam at the position currently.
Offensively he has some room to improve, though his 12 home runs and .256 average are acceptable for a catcher with his defensive prowess. He does profile more as a gap-hitter than home run threat at the major league level.
Likely to start the year at Triple-A Fresno, Susac is an injury away from making his major league debut. A September call-up is all but certain this year.
[embed]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGd6jciew5o[/embed]
Joe Panik
Projected long-term position: Second base
2013 level: Double-A, Richmond Flying Squirrels
Age: 23
Taken out of St. John's as the 29th overall pick in 2011, Panik has performed consistently at each level of the minors to date.
Originally drafted as a shortstop, Panik has officially transitioned to second base, where most scouts believe is his long-term home.
Panik isn't flashy with his bat or his glove, but he's a dependable player who will get the job done, reminiscent of current Giant Marco Scutaro.
His bat has fared well at the pro level thus far, though his average took a hit last year with the rise in competition, dropping from .297 in 2012 to .257 in 2013.
Still, he's shown the ability to offer a little bit of everything offensively, posting identical lines of 27 doubles, 4 triples and 10 steals in back-to-back years.
With Scutaro's status uncertain beyond this year, Panik may very well be the starter at second base as soon as 2015, with his debut coming sometime this season.
[embed]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGp-IvMz2jQ[/embed]
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