Friday, December 22, 2017

Giants 2018 Prospects: Pitchers Edition



I just finished updating the Giants minor league prospects statistical profiles and there were some real surprises throughout the organization. We'll start with the pitchers and finish up with the hitters in a separate post. The surprise is that, much like the Giants 21st century track record (shown above), the Giants have not done as bad a job as advertised and the system isn't as barren as some would have you believe, even after the recent deals.

Let's start with the starting pitchers:
  • Tyler Beede is Chris Stratton which is to say an iffy bet to give solid, consistent starts, based on their prior performance and statistical profile.  
  • Chris Stratton is a fringe prospect at best, flashes a good start here and there, but we had guys do that to death in 2017 and it leads to a 64-98 record.
  • Sam Wolff, who was just picked up from TX in the Matt Moore deal, is a tepid prospect, but his statistical profile appears to be a bit better that Stratton and Beede, if that tells you anything. I almost puked.
  • Ty Blach is solid. Solid as a rock. 
  • Andrew Suarez is Ty Blach, with a chance to be better. Great pitch-ability, great consistency. Solid if unspectacular, and another lefty. Lefties are Dodger killers so, you know......<3 li="">
  • Shaun Anderson is a SOLID pickup from the Red Sox for Edwin Nunez. It wouldn't surprise me if he contributes solidly in the near future. He's starting in the minors but has closed for University of Florida. 
  • D.J. Snelten is a SOLID prospect and it wouldn't surprise me if he contributes in a big way out of the bullpen. Hopefully in 2018.
  • Sam Coonrod has fallen off the radar. 
  • Garrett Williams is a favorite of many, I think it's a borderline case right now and behind the others mentioned earlier. 
At the major league level, a lot revolves around Derek Law getting his head straight. I don't think his arm or his stuff are at issue. He seems to differ on pitch selection more than most, so the Giants need to get him on the same page and move forward or part ways. 

Steven Okert needs to get the stars out of his eyes and just pitch. His stuff is good enough.

Those two only elevate the bullpen. Law had the makings of a future closer and ended up in the minors. If he doesn't come through, Reyes Moronta looks ready to step in and be the guy. Julian Fernandez, Sam Wollf and Kyle Crick round out the back end of the bullpen. In the future, watch out for Garret Cave from the University of Tampa. Just a hunch and based on a small sample size, but keep an eye out. 

I wouldn't be too heart-broken over a 2018 starting rotation of:
Bumgarner LHP
Cueto RHP 
Blach LHP
Samardzija RHP
Suarez LHP

I know many would prefer Stratton and/or Beede in there instead of Blach and Suarez. I don't mind two or three out of five LHP's. Stratton looked like he was getting things together late last year, so hopefully the trend continues and in that case Suarez challenges Blach for the final spot. 

+ Propsects:  Andrew Suarez,  D.J. Snelten, Reyes Moronta, Shaun Anderson,                                                     and Garret Williams 
                       I am high on Derek Law bouncing back, Okert getting his act together  and Ty Blach                           continuing to produce. If Moronta and Okert contribute, it adds length and versatility                           to the bullpen.

?? Prospects:  Julian Fernandez, Sam Wollf 
                         Fernandez probably goes back to the Rockies unless he flashes over his prior profile  
                         in spring training. I don't know how they clog a roster spot on a ??

- Prospects:   Tyler Beede, Chris Stratton, Kyle Crick, Sam Coonrod
                        I'd like to be wrong on Beede and/or Stratton, but.....I just don't see it based on                                      performance and their statistical profiles, which flash AVERAGE prospect, but the                              expectations are PREMIUM prospect. 

The hitters are up next. Some pleasant surprises there as well, and some of the SOSDD kind of stuff. 

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Giants Top Minor League Prospects

  • 1. Joey Bart 6-2, 215 C Power arm and a power bat, playing a premium defensive position. Good catch and throw skills.
  • 2. Heliot Ramos 6-2, 185 OF Potential high-ceiling player the Giants have been looking for. Great bat speed, early returns were impressive.
  • 3. Chris Shaw 6-3. 230 1B Lefty power bat, limited defensively to 1B, Matt Adams comp?
  • 4. Tyler Beede 6-4, 215 RHP from Vanderbilt projects as top of the rotation starter when he works out his command/control issues. When he misses, he misses by a bunch.
  • 5. Stephen Duggar 6-1, 170 CF Another toolsy, under-achieving OF in the Gary Brown mold, hoping for better results.
  • 6. Sandro Fabian 6-0, 180 OF Dominican signee from 2014, shows some pop in his bat. Below average arm and lack of speed should push him towards LF.
  • 7. Aramis Garcia 6-2, 220 C from Florida INTL projects as a good bat behind the dish with enough defensive skill to play there long-term
  • 8. Heath Quinn 6-2, 190 OF Strong hitter, makes contact with improving approach at the plate. Returns from hamate bone injury.
  • 9. Garrett Williams 6-1, 205 LHP Former Oklahoma standout, Giants prototype, low-ceiling, high-floor prospect.
  • 10. Shaun Anderson 6-4, 225 RHP Large frame, 3.36 K/BB rate. Can start or relieve
  • 11. Jacob Gonzalez 6-3, 190 3B Good pedigree, impressive bat for HS prospect.
  • 12. Seth Corry 6-2 195 LHP Highly regard HS pick. Was mentioned as possible chip in high profile trades.
  • 13. C.J. Hinojosa 5-10, 175 SS Scrappy IF prospect in the mold of Kelby Tomlinson, just gets it done.
  • 14. Garett Cave 6-4, 200 RHP He misses a lot of bats and at times, the plate. 13 K/9 an 5 B/9. Wild thing.

2019 MLB Draft - Top HS Draft Prospects

  • 1. Bobby Witt, Jr. 6-1,185 SS Colleyville Heritage HS (TX) Oklahoma commit. Outstanding defensive SS who can hit. 6.4 speed in 60 yd. Touched 97 on mound. Son of former major leaguer. Five tool potential.
  • 2. Riley Greene 6-2, 190 OF Haggerty HS (FL) Florida commit.Best HS hitting prospect. LH bat with good eye, plate discipline and developing power.
  • 3. C.J. Abrams 6-2, 180 SS Blessed Trinity HS (GA) High-ceiling athlete. 70 speed with plus arm. Hitting needs to develop as he matures. Alabama commit.
  • 4. Reece Hinds 6-4, 210 SS Niceville HS (FL) Power bat, committed to LSU. Plus arm, solid enough bat to move to 3B down the road. 98MPH arm.
  • 5. Daniel Espino 6-3, 200 RHP Georgia Premier Academy (GA) LSU commit. Touches 98 on FB with wipe out SL.

2019 MLB Draft - Top College Draft Prospects

  • 1. Adley Rutschman C Oregon State Plus defender with great arm. Excellent receiver plus a switch hitter with some pop in the bat.
  • 2. Shea Langliers C Baylor Excelent throw and catch skills with good pop time. Quick bat, uses all fields approach with some pop.
  • 3. Zack Thompson 6-2 LHP Kentucky Missed time with an elbow issue. FB up to 95 with plenty of secondary stuff.
  • 4. Matt Wallner 6-5 OF Southern Miss Run producing bat plus mid to upper 90's FB closer. Power bat from the left side, athletic for size.
  • 5. Nick Lodolo LHP TCU Tall LHP, 95MPH FB and solid breaking stuff.