Madison Bumgarner and Tim Alderson, the two top pitching prospects at Single-A San Jose, were told after tonight's game that they had been promoted to Double-A Connecticut.

The early promotion was expected. The organization believed them both to be above Class A level as the season began but wanted to keep them in the warmer weather early on.

The left-handed Bumgarner, just 19, is the Giants' top pitching prospect. In five San Jose starts he went 3-1 with a 1.48 ERA and four walks and 23 strikeouts in five games. Alderson was 1-1 with a 4.15 ERA, three walks and 20 strikeouts, also in five starts.

For now, 2008 top draft pick Buster Posey stays in San Jose. Vice president of baseball operations Bobby Evans said there were no discussions about advancing Posey yet. As a catcher, he has more to learn.

One position player will join the pitchers in the trek east: shortstop Brandon Crawford, the Mountain View native taken three picks after Posey last year. Crawford leads San Jose with a .374 average and also has six homers and 17 RBIs.

Evans said Alderson and Bumgarner will make their Connecticut debuts Sunday and Monday.
Great news Our AA team had hardly no talent and now they have some. I was surprised Villalona wasn't brought up as well but it won't be too long before he is. Bumgarner and Alderson were said to go no higher than AA but if they dominate like they did Single A, the Giants might have to promote them again. Crawford has been a nice up and comer and it will be interesting to see how he does in the next highest level.