Brian Bocock

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked San Francisco Giants #11 prospect in 2008
  The Giants absolutely love Bocock's playmaking ability on the infield and didn't hesitate to name him the host club's U.S. representative in the Futures Game. It was a gutsy move, considering he was a ninth-rounder and they took another shortstop, Emmanuel Burriss, with a supplemental first-round pick in the same draft. But Burriss said he didn't feel slighted, nor was he upset when San Francisco swapped the two players in early May, promoting Bocock to high Class A and demoting Burriss to low Class A. Bocock started hot but struggled as the summer wore on, finishing with a .220 average and .293 OBP at San Jose. The Giants knew developing his bat would be a challenge, and while he's a 65 runner on the 20-80 scouting scale, he doesn't get on base or stay consistent enough to project as a top-of-the-order presence. His swing path makes it tough for him to hit breaking balls, as his bat doesn't stay in the strike zone for long. But club officials can't stop gushing about Bocock's superior defensive skills, including plus range and arm strength that allow him to make difficult plays in the hole look easy. Bocock, whose uncle Mike is the winningest coach in the history of the summer collegiate Valley League, had minor elbow surgery after the season but should be ready for spring training. The Giants must find a place for Burriss and Bocock to play every day this season and were expected to pair them at San Jose, with Burriss likely sliding to second base.
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  Ranked San Francisco Giants #26 prospect in 2007
  The Giants suddenly have a stockpile of burners in the middle infield, and Bocock might be the best pure playmaker among them. His defensive skills stood out even as he played alongside 33rd overall pick Emmanuel Burris at Salem-Keizer. Signed for $72,500 as a ninthrounder, Bocock has excellent range, above-average hands and a strong arm that allows him to make plays deep in the hole. His skill set and quiet intensity remind some of former Giants infielder Mike Benjamin, and he had a good showing in instructional league. The Giants expect to take the slow road as Bocock learns to recognize offspeed pitches and develop a consistent approach. He struggled at the plate in his pro debut, over-rotating his shoulder and rolling over a lot of outside pitches. But as one coach said, "If we can make him a .260 hitter, he'll make a lot of money." He has sneaky gap power, but the Giants would be satisfied if he could make more consistent contact, drive balls up the middle and learn to drop a few bunt singles after he heads to a full-season affiliate. He'll probably begin the season in low Class A.