The San Francisco Giants selected Buster Posey 5th overall in the 2008 MLB First Year Player Draft.  After being called up on May 29th, Posey played a major role in the Giants’ late-season surge to reach the playoffs, and ultimately win the World Series.  In just 108 games, he hit .305 with 23 doubles, 18 home runs and 67 RBI.  On Monday, the 23-year old was named the National League’s Rookie of the Year after receiving 20 1st-place votes.  Here is a video of the always-impressive Posey taking batting practice as a California League All-Star in 2009:

• Rumors continue to swirl regarding Paul Konerko’s potential suitors…..even if the White Sox resign him, they would still like to acquire a major left-handed bat…..Dayan Viciedo could be the homegrown solution to a void left by Konerko. [MLB.com]

• Ozzie is preparing himself for a team and life without free agents A.J. Pierzynski and Paul Konerko…..Bobby Jenks career with the White Sox is looking like it’s over…..team might have interest in American League’s top closer, free agent Rafael Soriano. [ESPN]

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The Los Angeles Angels selected outfielder Mike Trout with the 25th overall pick in the first round of the 2009 First-Year Player Draft.  Before the 2010 season, Baseball America ranked Trout as the #3 prospect within the Angels’ organization, and 85th overall.  At just 18-years old, Trout hit .341 with six home runs, 28 doubles, 39 RBI, and 56 stolen bases, while splitting time between Cedar Rapids and Rancho Cucamonga.  Additionally, he exhibited excellent plate disciple, drawing 73 walks and striking out 85 times in 508 at-bats.  Here is a video of Trout — who will likely be named one of baseball’s top prospects prior to the 2011 season — taking batting practice as a member of Team USA:

In late September, with only a few games remaining in the regular season, I wrote a column that highlighted Alexei Ramirez’s outstanding season at shortstop for the Chicago White Sox.  More importantly, I contended that he should be the recipient of the Silver Slugger Award at shortstop.  However, after Tuesday’s disconcerting announcement that Derek Jeter had won the Gold Glove over Alexei Ramirez, I became perturbed by the thought that the Rawlings Silver Slugger Award might ultimately be just another popularity contest.

Thankfully, logic prevailed on Thursday as Ramirez was awarded the first Louisville Silver Slugger Award of his career, ending Jeter’s four-year stranglehold over the honor.

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The Golden Sombrero presents Rookie Card Corner: Nomar Garciaparra 1992 Topps Traded Team USA

Fun Fact: The only shortstop in history to win more consecutive batting titles than Nomar was Honus Wagner, who won four straight from 1906 to 1909.