Dynasty: San Francisco Giants 2020 Preseason Top 50 Prospects

The San Francisco Giants have been big players in the international market over the past couple of years, investing a heavy amount of funds in an effort to remake their minor league system. That approach has landed them a number of interesting young players (Marco Luciano, Heliot Ramos, Alexander Canario, etc.) who fantasy owners should be aware of in addition to others taken in the June MLB draft (Joey Bart, Hunter Bishop, etc.).

Baseball America placed San Francisco’s system 15th out of 30 teams in its summer rankings—quite a leap from what they were rated heading into the season (28/30). There are several names you will want to keep an eye on as you prep for prospect and firs-year player drafts in dynasty formats, including a couple who could see themselves at the very top of industry lists with a strong start to 2020.

 

1. SS Marco Luciano

 

Age: 18

Highest Level: A-

Luciano is very young (he turned 18 in September) but more than held his own as a 17-year-old in his brief Rookie ball tenure this past season. The 2018 international signee posted top-three marks among all shortstops at the same level (in at least 170 PAs) in wOBA, wRC+, and ISO. Just for fun, take a look at his production this season compared to another 17-year-old’s in 2018:

Name	PA	BB%	K%	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS	ISO	wOBA	wRC+
Marco Luciano	178	15.2%	21.9%	0.322	0.438	0.616	1.055	0.295	0.473	177
Wander Franco	273	9.9%	7.0%	0.351	0.418	0.587	1.004	0.236	0.446	159

This comparison to 2018 Franco is meant to highlight how well Luciano performed and not to say that he has a similar offensive outlook. Luciano has strong power potential and the tools to be a patient hitter in the future (15.2 BB% in Rookie ball). There is some risk he will move off shortstop as he matures, however, though his bat should hold up well at other positions if he reaches his potential.

ETA: 2023

 

2. OF Heliot Ramos

 

Age: 20

Highest Level: AA

Despite being almost three years younger than his competition, Ramos raked in High-A, posting the fourth-highest wOBA and the sixth-highest wRC+ among all High-A hitters in 2019. His taste of Double-A did not go as well (.337 wOBA; 119 wRC+; 31.1 K%), emphasizing the development that still needs to occur in his game.

Ramos has good power and the potential to offer value on the basepaths as he matures. Slight worries about his hit tool exist, but Ramos has the potential to be a multi-category producer for fantasy, albeit with a lower batting average.

ETA: 2021

 

3. C Joey Bart

 

Age: 22

Highest Level: AA

Since being selected second overall in the 2018 draft, Bart has steadily made his way up the rungs of the MiLB ladder, finishing 2019 in Double-A. He saved his best for that level, slashing .316/.368/.544 with four home runs in 22 games.

The young Giant continued to rake in the Arizona Fall League, swatting four home runs and posting a 1.290 OPS before a fractured thumb prematurely ended his season. While Bart’s offensive approach still needs some refinement, the power is real and easily makes him one of the best fantasy catching prospects.

ETA: 2020

 

4. OF Alexander Canario

 

Age: 19

Highest Level: A-

Like Ramos and Luciano, Canario is another young impact bat who performed very well for the Giants in 2019. The young outfielder launched seven home runs in 10 Rookie league games before moving up to join the Salem/Keizer Volcanoes for the rest of the season. In 49 games at that level, Canario slammed an additional nine home runs and posted top-10 marks for the level in ISO (.238), wRC (152), and wOBA (.410).

Despite this level of production, he remains raw at the plate (32.4 K% in A-) and needs to further develop in that respect. Though he is further away than other outfield prospects, Canario has an exciting skill set and could take an even bigger step forward in 2020.

ETA: 2023

 

5. SP Logan Webb

 

Age: 23

Highest Level: MLB

After tossing 30.2 innings there in 2018, Webb repeated Double-A this season, showing improvement in control (-1.6 BB%) and his strikeout rate (+6.6 K%) before getting called up to the Show in August. His first taste of big league hitting was a mixed bag. Webb posted a 5.22 ERA (4.45 SIERA) in 39.2 innings and struggled with the long ball (17.9 HR/FB%). He also had difficulty making batters miss (8.9 SwStr%; 21.3 K%).

The young righty did end the season on a high note, posting quality starts in each of his final two outings. Webb has three offerings with average to above-average potential. If he can improve his control, he has the potential to be a solid, mid-rotation arm.

 

ETA: 2020

6. OF Hunter Bishop

 

Age: 21

Highest Level: A-

Bishop parlayed a strong junior season at Arizona State into a top-10 selection in the 2019 MLB draft. The former Sun Devil slammed 22 home runs and slashed .342/.479/.748 in a season that saw him named a First Team All-American by Baseball America.

In addition to above-average power, Bishop brings a patient approach to the Giants system, albeit one with a good amount of strikeouts accompanying it. A full season against minor league pitching will reveal more about the status of Bishop’s hit tool and show if he can maintain the improvements he showed during his breakout junior season.

ETA: 2023

 

7. SP Seth Corry

 

Age: 21

Highest Level: A

The 21-year-old lefty led all qualified A-ball pitchers with a 33.9 K% in 2019. While that is very good news for Corry’s outlook, he also owned the second-highest walk percentage for the league as well (11.4%). Corry will need to improve in that regard but may be the most exciting arm to watch in the Giants system.

ETA: 2022

 

8. OF Luis Matos

 

Age: 17

Highest Level: R

The Giants signed Matos as part of the same 2018 international free agent class in which they landed Luciano. The 17-year-old Matos held his own in the Dominican Summer League this season, posting a 171 wRC (1st), .471 wOBA (1st), and a .209 ISO (5th) in his 55 games there.

He also held his own at the plate, striking out only 11.1% of the time. Matos is very far away and likely off the radar for most owners outside deeper league formats. Still, he could be a fast mover up prospect lists if he continues to develop.

ETA: 2024

 

9. 2B/SS Will Wilson

 

Age: 21

Highest Level: R

Wilson (15th overall pick in 2019 MLB draft) was the silver lining that enticed the Giants to recently take on the contract of Zack Cozart, a 34-year-old infielder who slashed .124/178/.144 in 38 games for the Los Angeles Angels last season. The NC State grad swatted 16 home runs and slashed .339/.429/.665 in his junior season and headed to play for the Orem Owlz of the Pioneer League after his selection.

In Wilson, the Giants have a solid, all-around offensive contributor who can play either second base or shortstop. Nothing stands out in his profile, but he should provide solid value as a high-floor regular once he makes it through the system.

ETA: 2022

 

10. SP Sean Hjelle

 

Age: 22

Highest Level: AA

The 6’11” former Kentucky Wildcat got his first extended look in the minors this season, rising through three levels before topping out at Double-A in his first full professional campaign. Hjelle enjoyed similar outcomes in his A and High-A outings, generating high ground-ball rates (60.6% in A, 67.3% in High-A), solid strikeout rates (25.6% in A; 22.8% in High-A), and limited walk rates (5.2% in A; 5.9% in High-A) in his 23 starts.

Double-A was a different story as Hjelle saw his effectiveness wane against more developed competition (-5.1 K%; +1.7 BB%, +13 LD%). Hjelle will likely have another go at Double-A in 2020 as he continues his development. His strong control gives him a good shot at making the big leagues, though he may be more of a bullpen arm barring further development on his secondary offerings.

ETA: 2022

 

11. 2B/SS Mauricio Dubon

 

Age: 25

Highest Level: MLB

Dubon finally reached the majors in 2019, opening with a brief cup of coffee in Milwaukee before receiving consistent playing time in September with the Giants. He posted a .287/.323/.468 line during that month, notching four home runs and swiping three bags as he campaigned for a larger role in 2020.

A strong hit tool stands out as Dubon’s best feature, making him a low-risk gamble if you are looking for middle infield help next season. Think David Fletcher with a lower batting average and slightly more power and speed production.

ETA: 2020

 

12. 3B Luis Toribio

 

Age: 19

Highest Level: A-

Another international signee, Toribio has spent most of the past two seasons in Rookie ball, both domestically and in the Dominican Summer League. He showcased a good eye at the plate (18.6 BB% in 2018; 19.2 BB% in 2019) during both campaigns and more than held his own offensively as well (160 wRC in 2018, 149 wRC in 2019). His power has been inconsistent so far, but he has room to fill out as he matures.

ETA: 2023

 

13. RP Dany Jimenez

 

Age: 25

Highest Level: AA

The Giants snatched Jimenez from the Toronto Blue Jays in last week’s Rule 5 draft, adding an interesting arm to their potential bullpen mix for 2020. Jimenez split 2019 between High-A and Double-A, racking up an interesting amount of strikeouts (43.9 K% in High-A, 34.3 K% in Double-A) despite questionable control (8.4 BB% in High-A, 9 BB% in Double-A). While those strikeout rates are impressive, it is worth noting that the almost 26-year-old reliever generated those numbers against much younger competition.

ETA: 2020

 

14. OF Jairo Pomares

 

Age: 19

Highest Level: A-

Pomares defected from Cuba in 2018 and joined the Giants on a $975,000 deal that summer. A strong hit tool (55 grade) and solid speed (55/50 grade) stand out in his offensive profile, and he has the potential to grow into more power (10-12 HR) as he matures.

The talented outfielder only has 14 games of experience above Rookie ball, making him a target for deeper leagues. There are some worries about his defense in center field and if he has the offensive profile to succeed as a corner outfielder should he experience a positional change.

ETA: 2024

 

15. OF Jaylin Davis

 

Age: 25

Highest Level: MLB

Davis mashed 35 home runs over two levels before earning a call-up to San Francisco at the end of the year. His cup of coffee with the Giants was less powerful (1 HR, .167/.255/.238 in 17 games) and Davis enters 2020 as a candidate to provide value off the bench or in the outfield for the major league club.

The extreme power increases Davis showcased in Triple-A (43.5% HR/FB% with Giants, 53.6% HR/FB% with Twins) are tempting but he is unlikely to offer anything close to that should he gain a roster spot in spring training.

ETA: 2020

 

16. RP Melvin Adon

 

Age: 25

Highest Level: Triple-A

Adon has a glorious 80-grade fastball and an above-average slider (60-grade). He also struggles to control those potentially lethal offerings, walking 13.8% of opponents in Double-A this past season and 14.3% during a brief run in Triple-A. Proximity and plus-30% strikeout rates make Adon a tempting target for dynasty owners, though he will have to improve his control/command to be a viable piece at the MLB level.

ETA: 2020

 

17. SP Connor Menez

 

Age: 24

Highest Level: MLB

Menez had his first taste of this of big league hitting in 2019, getting knocked around a bit (5.29 ERA, 4.87 SIERA) in 17 innings at the highest level. He flashed high strikeout ability at multiple levels in 2019 (29.9 K% at Double-A, 31.1 K% at Triple-A), though he also walked his share of batters as well (11.1 BB% at Triple-A, 16.4 BB% MLB). Higher spin rates make up for lower velocity on his offerings. He’s an interesting rotation option who could also perform well in the bullpen.

ETA: 2020

 

18. OF Franklin Labour

 

Age: 21

Highest Level: A-

After spending three seasons in Rookie ball, Labour opened 2019 in A-, experiencing a jump in power (.331 ISO, 34.1%, 14 HR) and generating strong offensive production overall in his 41 games at that level (.464 wOBA, 186 wRC+).

That success did not continue after his promotion to the Sally League, where Labour struck out 34.2% of the time and turned in a labored .275 wOBA and 74 wRC+ performance. Despite his struggles in Augusta, Labour is one of the less-known pieces I am most excited about going into 2020.

ETA: 2023

 

19. C Ricardo Genoves

 

Age: 20

Highest Level: A

Genoves has the tools to be a solid big league catcher at the end of his development. He hit very well during his second tour of A- (.369 wOBA, 126 wRC+) and did not miss a beat when he was promoted, beating those levels in 19 A-ball games (.371 wOBA, 137 wRC+).

He has a strong arm (60 grade) that makes up for an almost complete lack of speed (20 grade). Youth (20) and an extended developmental path affect his value for fantasy, but he is interesting as far as catching prospects go.

ETA: 2022

 

20. SP Kai-Wei Teng

 

Age: 21

Highest Level: A

Something changed once the Giants acquired Teng from the Minnesota Twins last season. While his numbers with Minnesota’s A-ball affiliate were nothing to scoff at (50.2 IP,1.60 ERA, 3.46 xFIP, 23.3 K%, 6.7 BB%), Teng found another gear in the Sally League, posting a 5.57 K/BB (35.5 K%, 6.4 BB%) in his five starts. Teng has four offerings that rate as average and excellent control/command. He has the potential to be a back-end starter or multiple inning reliever.

ETA: 2022

 

21. OF Sandro Fabian

 

Age: 21

Highest Level: A+

Fabian has been a slow riser in the Giants system since they signed him for $500K in 2014 but he showed some improvements in High-A that hopefully point to big things in 2020. Fabian increased his BB% (+1.7%), cut his strikeouts (-6.2%), and greatly increased his offensive success in High-A as compared to his abysmal 2018 effort (.349 wOBA in 2019, .264 wOBA in 2018; 114 wRC+ in 2019, 54 wRC+ in 2018).

Only 21, Fabian still has time to develop into a dangerous hitter and could end up a fast riser on various prospect lists if he can reach his ceiling (30/60 grade Hit, 30/50 grade Power).

ETA: 2022

 

22. SP Gregory Santos

 

Age: 20

Highest Level: A

Santos came over to the Bay in the 2017 Eduardo Nunez deal and has been brought along slowly through the Giant’s system. Injuries limited him to only 34.2 IP in 2019, making it a near-lock that he will repeat A-ball in 2020. Santos has a strong slider (55/60 grade) and a solid fastball (50/55 grade) at the top of his arsenal.

His changeup and control/command, however, remain works in progress and are the biggest obstacles to him growing into more than a bullpen arm at the next level. Given his youth (19) and injury issues last season, Santos will be on a slower trek to the majors, at least for now.

ETA: 2022

 

23. 2B Kean Wong

 

Age: 24

Highest Level: MLB

The Giants selected Wong off waivers from the Los Angeles Angels after the season. Wong was developed by the Tampa Bay Rays, who gave him a brief cup of coffee this season before they waived him, allowing him to suit up for one game as a Halo.

He produced a solid .365 wOBA and 116 wRC+ in Triple-A this season, swatting 10 home runs and stealing six bases as well. Wong is a low-risk play by the Giants and could end up seeing some time in the show in 2020.

ETA: 2020

 

24. SP Jake Wong

 

Age: 23

Highest Level: A+

Since signing an over-the-slot deal with San Francisco in 2018, Wong has slowly made his way through A-ball, peaking in High-A for much of 2019. He was stellar in 2018 with the Salem-Kizer Volcanos (A-) and in early 2019 with the Augusta Greenjackets (A) but stumbled in his 15 starts with San Jose in High-A (4.98 ERA; 4.34 xFIP; 1.38 WHIP).

Despite the slight dip, Wong’s peripherals remained in line with his previous production, making his tepid High-A performance more reflective of adjusting to a higher level of competition rather than a loss of effectiveness. Wong has the chance to develop into a back end starter should he progress to the majors.

ETA: 2022

 

25. RP Camilo Doval

 

Age: 22

Highest Level: A+

A nasty fastball and potentially devastating cutter allowed Doval to strike out 32.8% of batters faced in San Jose (High-A) this year. His control did not get better against the more advanced competition (13.9 BB% in 2019) in High-A and will continue to be an area of focus for him in 2020. Doval has the stuff to be a late-inning reliever for the Giants if his development remains on track.

ETA: 2023

 

26. SP Blake Rivera

 

Age: 21

Highest Level: A

Rivera has done a great job limiting home runs (5 HR in 94 MiLB IP) and striking out batters (27.4 K% in 2019) in his professional career. He struggled with his control/command (12.3 BB%; 16 WP) in 2019 and will need to improve there as he progresses. Though he started in all but one appearance last season, Rivera is a likely bullpen arm given his control issues and lack of a viable third offering.

ETA: 2023

 

27. SP Tristan Beck

 

Age: 23

Highest Level: A+

The Giants picked Beck up in a deal for Mark Melancon last summer and were rewarded with excellent production, especially over his final three starts (19 IP, 1 ER, 17 K). Beck attributed this increased success to becoming more comfortable with a delivery change he implemented just before coming to San Francisco. Wide gaps in his peripherals (5.65 ERA, 2.89 xFIP) with the Atlanta Braves suggest his second-half surge was more correction than a breakout, especially since most other metrics remained constant (24.5 K%, 8.8 BB% with Braves; 25.2 K%, 8.8 BB%).

Beck is an interesting arm to watch given his second-half performance and how he pitched in the Arizona Fall League (3.63 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 9.3 SO9). He needs to improve his control and add a third offering to be more than a potential bullpen arm moving forward.

ETA: 2021

 

28. SS Tyler Fitzgerald

 

Age: 22

Highest Level: A

The former Louisville Cardinal (4th round pick in 2019 MLB draft) touched three levels this season, finishing his season in A-ball. His best performance came in A-, where he showcased patience (12.7 BB%) and solid offensive production (.383 wOBA, 135 wRC+). Fitzgerald has shown very little power so far in his professional career but has good speed to work with on the bases.

ETA: 2022

 

29. CF Grant McCray

Age: 19

Highest Level: R

McCray has wheels (60 grade speed) but is still a work in progress on the bases (17/30). That speed coupled with an advanced approach at the plate (13.6 BB%, 55-grade hit tool) makes McCray a very interesting long term fantasy investment. Much of his future value will hinge on how much power he can generate (.065 ISO in 2019), though staying in CF would relieve a bit of that pressure.

ETA: 2024

30. SP Esmerlin Vinicio

 

Age: 17

Highest Level: R

Vinicio is a 16 years old lefty, so he is more of a name to know and keep track of for the next few years before you invest in most dynasty leagues. MLB Pipeline ranked him as the 23rd best international player available in the 2019 class and that was good enough for him to land an $800k bonus from the Giants. They will likely be very cautious with him, so it may be a bit before we get a better look at what he can do, though this link will give you an idea:

Giants signed LHP Esmerlin Vinicio (16.5Y, 6'0" 165, Dominican Republic, 800K bonus) to an international free agent contract. Athletic, clean arm action, some projection, and adv approach. Low 90s FB, flashes +CB, avg CH. Evaluators also like his command and his makeup.
Video: pic.twitter.com/DyGy1FLNtd

— GPT (@giantsprospects) July 2, 2019

ETA: 2026

 

31. SS Dilan Rosario

 

Age: 18

Highest Level: R

Rosario flashed his speed (9/12 SB attempts) and slammed five home runs in Rookie ball this season, two highlights that overshadowed tepid production overall (.282 wOBA, 65 wRC+). The young shortstop has an interesting offensive mix for the middle infield, though he has some work to do on his approach at the dish (35.8 K%, 5.5 BB%).

ETA: 2025

 

32. SP Matt Frisbee

 

Age: 23

Highest Level: A+

An incredible last name and high strikeout rates (27.7 K% in High-A, 36.5 K% in A) aren’t the only things that stand out about this 6’5″ righty. Frisbee also demonstrated excellent control upon his promotion to Augusta (High-A), walking a measly 4.7% of batters in his 116.1 IP at that level. That type of control makes Frisbee an interesting arm to watch, especially if he can maintain similar production against competition closer to his age (23) in 2020.

ETA: 2021

 

33. 1B Logan Wyatt

 

Age: 22

Highest Level: A

The plate discipline Wyatt showcased at Louisville (1.49 BB/K) was one of the main reasons San Francisco selected him early in the 2nd round of the 2019 draft. He does not have the typical power profile one would expect from a first-base only prospect (50-grade GamePower) and his development in that area will control his future fantasy value.

ETA: 2022

 

34. 1B/DH Connor Cannon

 

Age: 21

Highest Level: A-

Light-tower power is Cannon’s calling card, something he showed off quite well in Rookie ball, where he swatted 13 home runs and posted a .364 ISO in only 35 games. Cannon is a big man (6’5, 240 lbs) and can send a baseball a long way. He already has one home run in college that went over 510 feet if Google Earth’s measurements are to be believed. He will strike out a lot and is limited to 1B given his pedestrian speed.

ETA: 2023

 

35. OF Chris Shaw

 

Age: 26

Highest Level: MLB

At 26, Shaw is close to gaining the dreaded Quad-A label and dropping out of real prospect consideration. Despite his career .280/.328/.528 line and 63 home runs at the Triple-A level, Shaw has struggled during his brief appearances with the Giants, striking out more than 37% of the time against MLB pitching.

He made improvements at the plate in 2019 (-8.9 K% ; +1.5 BB% in Triple-A) but needs consistent playing time with the Giants to see if those adjustments are enough for consistent success. Barring a trade of Brandon Belt, however, Shaw’s path to a larger role in San Francisco is unclear given his defensive limitations.

ETA: 2020

 

36. SP Trevor McDonald

 

Age: 18

Highest Level: R

McDonald tossed all of 4 IP in the Giant’s system this year, so not much can be extrapolated from that small sample size. Perfect Game ranked him as the 39th overall arm nationally (14th among RHP) and that was enough for the Giants to select him in the 11th round of the MLB draft this past June. The young righty topped out at 95 MPH and is very far away from any potential big league action or fantasy relevance.

ETA: 2025

37. SP Prelander Berroa

Age: 19

Highest Level: A-

The Giants acquired Berroa this summer from the Minnesota Twins for reliever Sam Dyson. The compact righty (5’11”, 170 lbs) is raw and just got his first taste of A- this season, logging four starts at that level in 2019. If he can further develop his secondary offerings, Berroa has a shot at a future in the rotation, though control issues could limit him to a relief role (11.8 BB% in A-, 11.6 BB% in Rookie ball.

ETA: 2022

 

38. RP Raffi Vizcaino

 

Age: 24

Highest Level: AA

After starting 28 games in 2016-2017, Vizcaino shifted to relief full-time, striking out 74 batters (62.2 IP) and posting a 3.16 ERA and 1.245 WHIP in his new role. While Vizcaino has an interesting arsenal as a reliever, his extreme control issues (+13 BB% since 2018) limits his future outlook.

ETA: 2020

 

39. CF PJ Hilson

 

Age: 19

Highest Level: R

Hilson has struggled in his two seasons in Rookie ball, striking out more than 36% of the time and posting underwhelming wRC+ marks (78 in 2018, 84 in 2019). He is crazy fast (70-grade speed) and has successfully swiped 18/22 bases in his nascent professional career. At 18, he has time to work out the kinks in his game, though a below-average hit tool will be his biggest obstacle to higher level success.

ETA: 2024

 

40. SS Aeverson Arteaga

 

Age: 16

Highest Level: R

Arteaga was one of 13 Venezuelans to sign with the Giants in their 2019 international class. He landed the highest bonus, receiving $1.2 million to don the black and orange. High-end defensive ability, projectable offensive production, and a family history of professional baseball drew the Giants to the shortstop despite him not being ranked among the top international prospects by many publications. Another long term project to keep tabs on, especially given the success the Giants have had with their recent international classes.

ETA: 2026

 

41. 1B Garrett Frechette

 

Age: 18

Highest Level: R

Another draftee from the 2019 class makes the list. Frechette generated respectable results against his first taste of professional pitching, posting a .351 wOBA and 107 wRC+ in 39 games. He did not flash any of his 55-grade power but that aspect of his game will be an important part of his value moving forward given his positional limitations (likely 1B-only).

ETA: 2025

 

42. OF Jalen Miller

 

Age: 22

Highest Level: A

After a strong 2018, Miller struggled in almost every way upon his promotion to Double-A, posting mediocre results in wOBA (.285), wRC+ (85), and ISO (.116) while struggling more on the bases (13 CS in 40 attempts). He did improve his BB% (+4%) and K% (-2.5%), so not everything was bad news.

At 22, Miller is still on track to continue developing in the Giants system and will likely repeat Double-A in 2020. Solid speed and average power exist in his profile, though he lacks the arm strength that you typically want in RF or CF.

ETA: 2021

 

43. SP Caleb Killian

 

Age: 22

Highest Level: A-

The Giants selected Killian out of Texas Tech University, where he went 8-3 with a 3.92 ERA and 89 strikeouts (20 BB’s) in 96.1 IP in his junior season (2019). Killian did not give up a run in 16 IP at two levels in the Giant’s system, striking out 17 and walking only two batters in that period. 16 IP is a small sample size but Killian is one I will be watching in 2020 to see how he handles an extended look at professional hitting.

ETA: 2022

 

44. RP Tyler Cyr

 

Age: 26

Highest Level: Triple-A

Cyr is another older arm (26) with the potential to offer value in the Giants pen, though 2020 may be his last chance to make good on an audition for the show. He has posted solid production in two runs at Double-A (with an injury-plagued 2018 season in between), specifically showing off high strikeout rates (27.9 K%), the ability to limit home runs (1 HRA in 48.1 IP), and a predilection for inducing ground balls (51.8 GB%) in 2019.

ETA: 2020

 

45. OF Jacob Heyward

 

Age: 24

Highest Level: Triple-A

Heyward has always been a patient hitter in the minors, though he took that to a new level in 2019 (16.8 BB%). That walk rate mixed with some power and speed makes for an interesting combination, though Heyward still strikes out too much to be anything close to a sure thing (30.9 K% in 2019).

ETA: 2020

 

46. OF Heath Quinn

 

Age: 24

Highest Level: AA

A second taste of High-A yielded similar results for Heath Quinn, who roughly equaled his 2018 production in most metrics (.374 wOBA, 130 wRC+ in 2019, .380 wOBA, 133 wRC+ in 2018) despite a slight increase in strikeouts (+3.3 K% at High-A). All of that production vanished upon his promotion to Double-A, as Quinn went ice cold against more advanced pitching (31 K%, .292 wOBA, 88 wRC+). Quinn must cut his strikeouts ad display more consistent power in 2020 if he is going to continue moving up in the Giants system.

ETA: 2022

47. SP Garrett Williams

Age: 25

Highest Level: AA

Williams (25) pitched much better in his second season at Double-A (+4.3 K%, 55.7 GB%), though he still struggled with free passes (12.6 BB%) and with his control in general (11 WP). He has an elite curveball and solid fastball but is still developing his changeup into a true third offering.

ETA: 2021

 

48. 3B Zach Green

 

Age: 25

Highest Level: MLB

Green thoroughly enjoyed hitting in the PCL in 2019, mashing 25 home runs and posting a 140 wRC+ for the Sacramento Rivercats. He struck out an abysmal 33.3% of the time in the minors and batted .143/250/.214 in a brief eight game run with the Giants at the end of the season. Unless he can cut his strikeouts to a manageable level, Green will struggle to produce against MLB pitching should he receive a chance in 2020.

ETA: 2020

 

49. 3B David Villar

 

Age: 22

Highest Level: A+

Though his offensive performance took a dip upon his promotion to High-A, Villar still produced a respectable .341 wOBA and 108 wRC+ at the higher level. He struck out too much (30.1 K%) but managed to raise his BB% by 1.9 points this past season.

ETA: 2023

 

50. 3B Sean Roby

 

Age: 21

Highest Level: A

Roby did nothing but rake until running out of steam upon his promotion to A-ball, where he generated a feeble .283 wOBA and 79 wRC+ in 19 games. The strong plate discipline he showed in A- (14.1 BB%, 22.6 K%) vanished as well, replaced by something much worse (5.1 BB%, 38 K%). He is not much of a prospect at this point, especially given his lack of power for his current position.

ETA: 2024

(Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire)