The San Francisco Giants have designated 23-year old lefty starting pitcher Clayton Tanner. Tanner pitched in 22 games (all starts) in AA-ball for the Giants this year and he was 6-10 with a 4.29 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP. He pitched in 139 games (119 starts) in his first six years in the minors for the Giants and he was 51-43 with 1 save, a 3.66 ERA and a 1.34 WHIP. The Giants would probably like to keep Tanner if he can clear waivers.

UPDATE: (8/31/2011) - The Giants have released Clayton Tanner.

22-year old righty swinging outfielder Gary Brown came into this season as the Giants’ #3 prospect according to Baseball America. He has played in 109 games in A-ball so far this year and he is 146 for 459 (.318 avg, .856 OPS) with 88 runs scored, 9 homers, 63 RBIs and 44 stolen bases. He has now played in 121 games in his first two years in the minors and he is 153 for 503 (.304 avg, .829 OPS) with 96 runs scored, 9 homers, 65 RBIs and 46 stolen bases. The Giants are probably going to put Brown on the fast track to the majors as they are in dire need of hitting help.

The Giants have released 22-year old righty reliever Jose Casilla. Casilla came into this season as the Giants’ #13 prospect according to Baseball America. Casilla is recovering from Tommy John Surgery right now and the Giants couldn’t afford to keep him on the roster any longer. Casilla pitched in 11 games (0 starts) in A-ball this year and he was 0-4 with 1 save, a 9.49 ERA and a 1.87 WHIP. He pitched in 108 games (21 starts) in his first six years in the minors and he is 15-10 with 27 saves, a 2.77 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP. Some team will take a chance on Casilla and it might haunt the Giants down the road for giving up on him.

23-year old lefty starting pitcher Eric Surkamp came into this season as the Giants’ #9 prospect according to Baseball America. Surkamp will be a lot higher ranked in 2012. Surkamp has pitched in 15 games (14 starts) in AA-ball for the Giants so far this year and he is 7-3 with a 1.61 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP. He has given up 74 hits in 89 1/3 innings so far this year and he has whiffed 102 batters, which shows just now nasty he has been this year. Surkamp has now pitched in 62 games (58 starts) in his first four years in the minors and he is 22-12 with a 2.92 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP. Surkamp could be the next great starting pitcher in the near future for the San Francisco Giants.

27-year old righty swinging 1B Brett Pill is hitting the heck out of the ball in AAA for the Giants this year. Pill has played in 75 games in AAA-ball so far this year and he is 90 for 298 (.302 avg, .865 OPS) with 46 runs scored, 13 homers, 60 RBIs and 4 stolen bases. Pill has now played in 682 games in his first six years in the minors and he is 705 for 2,562 (.275 avg, .763 OPS) with 362 runs scored, 72 homers, 444 RBIs and 29 stolen bases. Pill is pretty well blocked at 1B by Aubrey Huff, Pablo Sandoval and Brandon Belt.