The Real Deal
Ok... with the exception of the playoffs, the 2008 South Atlantic League baseball season is over. Local hero, Madison Bumgarner, of the Augusta Greenjackets (San Francisco Giants) completely dominated South Atlantic League pitching during the 2008 season. Let's look at the numbers:
ERA
Madison had the lowest season ERA of any pitcher in the league with a 1.46. The next closest ERA on the list was a 2.26 by Connor Graham of the Asheville Tourists.
Strikeouts
Madison also led the South Atlantic League in strikeouts with a total of 164 in 141.2 innings pitched. The next highest number of K's issued in the league was 160 by Cory Riordan of the Asheville Tourists, but Cory chalked up his 160 in 167.2 innings pitched... 26 more innings than Madison's count.
Walks
Madison issued 21 walks over his 141.2 innings pitched. The only other pitcher in the league who pitched over 100 innings with less walks issued was Jesse Darcy of the Columbus Catfish. Jesse only issued 15 walks in 133 innings pitched. Brett Durand of the Greensboro Grasshoppers issued 21 walks in 143.1 innings pitched.
Home Runs
Madison only gave up three home runs in his 141.2 innings pitched.
WHIP
Madison led the league in the WHIP statistic (walks and hits per inning pitched) with a 0.93 on the season. That's a full 0.1 point lower than second place in the league, which just happens to be held by Madison's teammate Craig Clark.
What's Next?
I'm sure Madison will move on up the ladder in the Giants organization in the 2009 season. People kept asking me this year what I thought would happen with Madison's promotions. It was harder for me to estimate with him being in the Giant's system because I'm more familiar with how the Pittsburgh Pirates do business, so I had to make a couple educated guesses. Madison just turned 19 years old in August, so he's very young by Major League Baseball standards. I didn't expect him to get moved up to high-A baseball this season. I think the Giants made a very smart move keeping him in low-A baseball and letting him build skill and confidence, which he obviously did as he dominated the entire league.
During the off season, I expect Madison will get some additional training and play fall league baseball as well. I'm not sure where he will play fall ball, but I'm certainly hoping that he has earned the opportunity to play in the Hawaiian Winter League.
As for next season, I expect Madison to start out in San Jose on the Giants' Class A Advanced team. IF Madison performs well on that team, you might see him move to the AA squad in Norwich, CT at the all-star break. I wouldn't expect to see him move above AA in the 2009 season, but I would expect him to get to that level as long as he's pitching well and injury free.
During the 2010 season, I would expect Madison to start in AA ball again, and possibly move to AAA late in the season. If his strength and ability is still holding up. In 2011, I would expect Madison to play a full season in AAA ball and possibly get a September call-up to the Giants squad. Whether or not he stays there in 2012 is anybody's call.
Keep in mind, this scenario is a best case scenario. That would put Madison as a starting pitcher with the Giants in 2012 at the age of 23 years old. In my opinion, that's very optimistic. It would make him one of the youngest, if not THE youngest starting pitcher in Major League Baseball.
There are a few things baseball fans tend to overlook as they are watching their favorite players come up through the Minor Leagues. Getting to the Major Leauges is a real challenge. It's as hard or harder than getting into the Minors. The best of the best high school and college athletes get drafted and start in the Minors. Each level of the minors has the same basic process. The best of the best at each level move up. In general terms, a minor-league player has to go through some experience in a rookie league, low-A, high-A, AA, and AAA before they get a shot at the big show. At each level, they have to be the best of the best to advance. There are some exceptions to this though. In the case of first-round draft picks, they may get advanced ahead of someone else who may show a higher level of skill because of the investment the parent club has made in that player. Age also plays a role in some advancement choices. In Madison's case, his age will slow down his progression through the minors. He's got plenty of time to develop. If Madison had been drafted as a junior in college at the age of 20 or 21, his advancement through the minors could possibly move a little faster. A lot of major league players make their debuts at the age of 25 or 26, so keep that in mind as you watch things happen :)