At 6-5, 240 with a power arm and a power bat, Mac Williamson gives Giants fans a chance to dream about a 25 HR - 90 RBI - .300 AVG stat line. It's been a while since the organization has produced a power hitting OF capable of such numbers. This kid could be the next one.
Williamson lost some time last year due to Tommy John surgery but he has been looking good in limited spots this spring. The Hunter Pence injury should have opened a door for him, but the Giants seem reluctant to throw him into that role so soon after his return from injury. Perhaps a mid season call-up will be the catalyst, as it was last year for Panik and Susac. When opportunity knocks.....you have to be ready to answer the door.
MLB.com has him ranked behind Christian Arroyo along with Andrew Susac and Matt Duffy. The latter two, I no longer consider prospects, however MLB.com uses the rookie eligibility standard (as shown below). I consider both "made men". They've made it to The Show...and then some.
http://sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com/mlb/prospects/watch/y2015/#list=sf
Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 55 | Run: 45 | Arm: 60 | Field: 50 | Overall: 45
Originally recruited by Wake Forest as a pitcher, Williamson had shoulder surgery before ever throwing a pitch for the Demon Deacons and became an outfielder. A third-round pick in 2012, he topped Giants farmhands with 25 homers in his first full pro season but missed most of 2014 when he needed Tommy John surgery in April.
Power is Williamson's carrying tool. He has a big, strong frame and drives the ball to all fields. He still has to prove he can handle quality breaking pitches and his propensity to strike out may prevent him from hitting for a high average, but he displayed improved plate discipline before he got hurt last year.
A good athlete for a 6-foot-5, 240-pounder, Williamson has close to average speed and moves well in the outfield. He had a plus arm that should bounce back after his elbow reconstruction.
To be eligible for a list, a player must have rookie eligibility. To qualify for rookie status, a player must not have exceeded 130 at-bats or 50 innings pitched in the Major Leagues, or accumulated more than 45 days on the active roster of a Major League club or clubs during the 25-player limit period, excluding time on the disabled list or in military service.* Players are graded on a 20-80 scale for future tools -- 20-30 is well below average, 40 is below average, 50 is average, 60 is above average and 70-80 is well above average.
A good review. Hopefully Williamson, as a former college hitter, makes as seamless a transition to big league pitching as fellow collegians Susac and Duffy. To say nothing of Panik. Giants have had better luck with collegiate hitters than HS'ers and the reverse with pitchers. See if the trend continues.
Williamson will turn 25 this year, along with Chris Stratton, Ty Blach and Derek Law. Twenty-five is kind of a put up or shut-up time for me as far as prospects go. If they haven't shown it by then, they move from prospect to suspect. Time to show or go.
I'm not sure why Adam Duval and Gary Brown are still on this list either. On the pitching side Hunter Strickland, Cody Hall ( 27 YO) and Ray Black ( 25 YO ) should probably not be listed as prospects anymore. Black falls into the Cordier / Strickland mold with his bugaboo being staying healthy more than wildness or gopher-itis.
Giants have to either find a role for most of these guys or find another address where they can find an opportunity.
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