8. San Francisco Giants

Big Leagues- A lot of Giants fans could be upset with us having the World Series champions as the number 8 team on our list.  But, after a lot of debate we had to slot them in at number 8, because last year they were arguable the worst team in the playoffs.  If it wasn't for the Padres collapse we wouldn't even be talking about the Giants as the World Series champions.  That is not a bash on this year's Giants team, as they have one of the best young catchers in the game, and a rotation who can match up with anyone.  Buster Posey is an absolute stud, and hopefully you drafted him late last year in a keeper league, but besides him, the lineup lacks pop.  Aubrey Huff had a great last season, but he is still Aubrey Huff, and new addition Miguel Tejada is past his prime.  Pablo Sandovol struggled last year, but has lost 20 pounds this offseason and you can look for him to have a bounce back season.  If the season started today their starting lineup would look something like this:

Catcher- Buster Posey

1st Base- Aubrey Huff
2nd Base- Freddy Sanchez
Shortstop- Miguel Tejada
3rd Base- Pablo Sandovol
Left Field- Mark Derosa
Center Field- Andres Torres/Aaron Roward
Right Field- Cody Ross
Pitching- Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, Johnathan Sanchez, Madison Bumgarner, Barry Zito
Relief- Brian Wilson, Jeremy Affeldt, Sergio Romo

Top 5 Prospects
1B Brandon Belt- The 6'5 1st basemen went from outside the Giants top ten prospects to the clear number 1 in the organization in only one year.  After being a 5th round pick out of Texas in 2009, Belt exploded in Single, Double, and Triple A last season.  Combine in 136 games Belt hit .352 with 43 doubles, 10 triples, and 23 home runs.  He had a .455 on base percentage and 112 rbi's.  He even threw in 22 steals in 30 attempts.  Belt emerged as a top prospect and the first basemen of the future for the Giants.

OF Gary Brown- Brown was the Giants first round pick out of Cal State Fullerton in 2010.  He was signed to a 1.45 million dollar signing bonus.  He is far from a sure thing, and lacks a powerful bat, but his speed and defensive ability in center field made it tough for the Giants to turn down.  He'll start next season in Single A and could progress through the minors quickly. 

RHP Zach Wheeler- Wheeler was the 6th overall pick in the 2009 draft, and had a so-so first year with the Giants.  Being a high school arm, the Giants limited Wheeler's innings in the first season, and he had a 3.99 Era over 58 innings.  He had very overwhelming stuff striking out 70 but also walked 38 batters.  The Giants should look to stretch him out this season and they hope he can develop anywhere close to Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, and Madison Bumgarner did in previous years.

OF Francisco Peguero- He was rather old as a 22 year old prospect in Single A last year, but he put up the numbers to warrant being on this list.  In 122 games Peguero hit .329 with 10 home runs, 16 triples, 19 doubles, all while stealing 40 bases.  He has always been a consistent .300 hitter and if he continue to display power could move through Double A and Triple A quickly. 

OF Thomas Neal- The third Giants outfielder of this list, could round out there future outfield.  Neal  has put together back to back 40 double seasons and had a .291 batting average last year in Double A.  He should start next year in Triple A.

Payroll and Direction-The Giants have no problem spending money with a payroll last year of 98 million dollars.  They have a great top prospect with Brandon Belt, the best young catcher in the game, and young power arms everywhere.  It is impossible not to like the direction this team is going.  They still are under the awful contract of Barry Zito, but that will be off the books soon and his 18 million a year can used elsewhere.  If Belt continues to develop and they can sign one big bat in free agency next year, the Giants will be very dominate for years to come.