"The most-heralded player in the Giants farm system says he tried "to keep the blinders on," ignoring the buzz that grew throughout the season.

Still, Gary Brown heard things.

"Mostly through the grapevine," said Brown, who spent this season with the Single-A San Jose Giants. "I'd hear something on the radio or my host family would ask me, 'Did you listen to what Brian Sabean is saying about you?' "

As San Francisco fought a losing battle to stay in playoff contention, a frustrated fan base grumbled for the organization to do something, anything, to save the season. That included the desperate notion of finding out if the kid roaming center field at San Jose Municipal Stadium might be an answer.

But the Giants brass resisted the temptation to fast-track Brown up the farm system -- steadfastly saying San Jose was exactly where he needed to be for his long-term development."