The San Francisco Giants are the surprise of Major League Baseball in 2021 and rightfully so. With being the first team to 70 wins, proving time and time again they are here to compete for the NL West title comes with some responsibility. The Giants brass made a decision at the trading deadline that they needed to tweak their major league roster in hopes to continue leading the team in the right direction. They did so in a big way by acquiring a cornerstone talent in Kris Bryant and adding Tony Watson to the bullpen.
Acquiring a potential face of the franchise in the middle of a pennant race is tough to do if your farm system is not flushed with talent. The Giants and Farhan Zaidi have done a masterful job since 2018 in overhauling an organization that lacked impact talent. They were able to fill many holes via the international market and drafting quality college prospects. Losing talent in the system is always hard to stomach but when you can acquire someone like Bryant and you don’t move any of your top talent, you have to take that every time. Will the move pay off in the long run, or will they fall short? Either way, the Giants have positioned themselves nicely to compete over the next decade and potentially further.
San Francisco Giants Affiliates:
AAA Sacramento River Cats
AA Richmond Flying Squirrels
High-A Eugene Emeralds
Low-A San Jose Giants
Rookie ACL Giants Orange
Rookie ACL Giants Black
Rookie DSL Giants Orange
Rookie DSL Giants Black
Prospects1500 Tiers:
Tier 1: Players with high expectations of both making the majors and playing at an All-Star level for a number of years
Tier 2: Players with an above average expectation of making the majors and being a solid contributor
Tier 3: Players with an average expectation of making the majors and being a solid contributor
Tier 4: Players who have the potential of making the majors, or have high likelihood of making the majors but providing minimal impact (e.g. middle reliever, low-ceiling UT guys)
Tier 5: Players of interest, worth keeping an eye on, who have an outside chance of making their team’s 40 man roster
Tier 1
1. Marco Luciano, SS (January rank #1)
Age: 19
Current Level: High-A
Luciano has firmly taken over the face of the farm system as he hit .278/.373/.930 in 70 games with 18 HR and 57 RBI in San Jose before being promoted to High-A.
2. Luis Matos, OF (January rank #4)
Age: 19
Current Level: Low-A
Matos has displayed a solid power/speed blend without sacrificing his plate discipline which has been extremely pleasant to see from one of the most talented OF prospects in the game.
3. Joey Bart, C (January rank #2)
Age: 24
Current Level: AAA
Bart’s power has been non-existent in 35 games with SF but it’ll come eventually as he has eclipsed 10+ HR each year in the minors including this season.
Tier 2
4. Heliot Ramos, OF (January rank #3)
Age: 21
Current Level: AAA
Ramos should post 10+ HR/10+ SB this year for the first time in his career but still questioning if he’ll be the impact player in San Francisco we once thought as health and bat control continue to lurk.
5. Kyle Harrison, LHP (January rank #8)
Age: 20
Current Level: Low-A
Harrison possesses some of the best stuff in the system, I would not be shocked to see him crack several Top 100 lists in the spring.
6. Hunter Bishop, OF (January rank #5)
Age: 23
Current Level: High-A
Bishop has been out with a shoulder injury for the majority of 2021, I’m hoping the Giants will allow him to get some extra at-bats this fall in the AFL.
7. Jairo Pomares, OF (January rank #10)
Age: 21
Current Level: Low-A
Pomares has been on fire this year in San Jose, look for him to continue his hot stretch as he remains a key factor for the Giants moving forward.
8. Will Bednar, RHP (January rank NR)
Age: 21
Current Level: None (College)
I would look for the Giants to move Bednar slow in 2021, due to some over usage and let him hit the ground running in 2022.
9. Will Wilson, SS (January rank #13)
Age: 23
Current Level: AA
Wilson has tapped into some more power than originally thought, he’ll need to cut down on the strikeouts moving forward to make an impact.
10. Aeverson Arteaga, SS (January rank #25)
Age: 18
Current Level: Rookie (ACL)
Signed in 2019 out of Venezuela, Arteaga looks the part of a future SS with strong attributes as a hitter and fielder.
11. Patrick Bailey, C (January rank #11)
Age: 22
Current Level: Low-A
Playing consistently in San Jose since mid-July, Bailey has more swing and miss than what I expected but hopeful that he’ll be able to begin making the necessary adjustments.
Tier 3
12. Luis Gonzalez, OF (January rank #6 White Sox)
Age: 24
Current Level: MLB
Gonzalez played in a handful of games in 2020 and 2021 and presents a quality OF with solid all-around tools. Health permitting, we should see him in SF in 2022.
13. Casey Schmitt, 3B (January rank #28)
Age: 22
Current Level: Low-A
Schmitt shows good plate discipline and approach with developing power, Schmitt has a chance to stick at the hot corner as he progresses.
14. Matt Mikulski, LHP (January rank NR)
Age: 22
Current Level: None (College)
Mikulski was drafted in the 2nd round of the 2021 draft with the help of cleaning up his mechanics and adding some velocity that helped him become one of the best players in college baseball last year.
15. Luis Toribio, 3B/1B (January rank #9)
Age: 20
Current Level: Low-A
Toribio power is still developing and will be something to keep an eye on over the rest of the season and into next year.
16. Ricardo Genoves, C (January rank #22)
Age: 22
Current Level: High-A
Ricardo will need to see improved plate discipline to round out the 2021 season but there is a lot to like of the backstop from Venezuela.
17. Ryan Murphy, RHP (January – unranked)
Age: 21
Current Level: High-A
Murphy has done a tremendous job since being drafted in the 5th round in 2020 and I would anticipate him moving up higher in spring rankings next year.
18. Carson Ragsdale, RHP (January rank #24)
Age: 23
Current Level: Low-A
Ragsdale has been a stable in the San Jose rotation this year and has been very impressive as he should be knocking on the door of a promotion soon.
19. Nick Swiney, LHP (January rank #14)
Age: 22
Current Level: Rookie (ACL)
Swiney, a starter now, features a low to mid 90’s FB with a quality CB, but could have more success as a RP in the future.
20. Logan Wyatt, 1B (January rank #16)
Age: 23
Current Level: High-A
Wyatt missed roughly a month with an injury which slowed some of his development in 2021 as he is still lacking in the power department.
21. Matt Frisbee, RHP (January rank #32)
Age: 24
Current Level: AA
Frisbee posted monster numbers in Double-A Richmond before being called up to Triple-A Sacramento in early June where he hit a rough stretch.
22. Prelander Berroa, RHP (January rank #44)
Age: 21
Current Level: Low-A
Continued development of his command and control should allow Berroa to reach SF as a middle-of-the-rotation type, worst case he’s used in a relief role.
23. Diego Rincones, OF (January rank #21)
Age: 22
Current Level: AA
Diego is a career .290 hitter who finally broke 10+ HR in a season. Just 22, keep an eye on him and his excellent plate discipline.
Tier 4
24. Sammy Long, LHP (January – unranked)
Age: 26
Current Level: AAA
Long has been called up a couple of times this season to help the Giants in a starter role.
25. Sean Hjelle, RHP (January rank #15)
Age: 24
Current Level: AAA
Hjelle has quietly put together another quality season, but his numbers line up with how he performed in 2019, wonder if he’s plateaued in his development.
26. Camilo Doval, RHP (January rank #23)
Age: 24
Current Level: MLB
Doval reportedly hit 104+ mph early this year but he’ll need to be more efficient and keep the ball in the ballpark moving forward.
27. Adrian Sugastey, C (January rank #34)
Age: 19
Current Level: Rookie (ACL)
Giants should be slow with Sugastey, place him on your watch list and stay patient here in dynasty formats if the power comes.
28. Seth Corry, LHP (January rank #7)
Age: 22
Current Level: High-A
Corry was shut down at the end of July after posting some of the worst numbers of his career.
29. Manuel Mercedes, RHP (January rank NR)
Age: 18
Current Level: Rookie (ACL)
The majority of reports for Mercedes have been glowing. Young quality arm with the chance to stick as a starter.
30. Gregory Santos, RHP (January rank #12)
Age: 21
Current Level: MLB (Restricted List)
After making his MLB debut, Santos had his season cut short as he tested positive for PED in late June.
31. Blake Rivera, RHP (January rank #17)
Age: 23
Current Level: Rookie (ACL)
Rivera still has potential to be a starter but would have the stuff to play up in a relief role if the Giants seemed fit.
32. R.J. Dabovich, RHP (January rank #36)
Age: 22
Current Level: AA
Hitters are hitting Dabovich a little more frequently since his promotion but in his first professional season he has an impressive 17.5 SO9.
33. Eric Silva, RHP (January rank NR)
Age: 18
Current Level: Not assigned
Silva is a touch behind Harrison in the development process but still possesses a potential 3 pitch mix and will need to work on command as he adjusts to professional ball.
34. Kervin Castro, RHP (January rank #27)
Age: 22
Current Level: AAA
Since late June, Castro has worked a majority of his appearances longer than 1 IP which is something to keep an eye on as the Giants look to find ways to shorten games down the stretch.
Tier 5:
35. Esmerlin Vinicio, LHP (January rank #33)
Age: 18
Current Level: Rookie (ACL)
Vinicio has pitched well in his first professional season but will need to work on command as he looks to compete with Mercedes as they both move up the organization.
36. Alexander Suarez, OF (January rank NR)
Age: 19
Current Level: Rookie (ACL)
Extremely talented CF with the chance to stick up the middle and showcase his power/speed combo.
37. Brett Auerbach, C/2B/3B/OF (January rank NR)
Age: 22
Current Level: High-A
Auerbach should continue to climb up rankings as he’s posting a solid season exhibited by great contact, high walk rate and blending in power while playing 6 different positions.
38. Ismael Munguia, OF (January – unranked)
Age: 22
Current Level: High-A
Munguia is a high contact, low K hitter while adding in 10+ SB and potentially 10+ HR.
39. Javier Francisco, 1B (January rank #41)
Age: 18
Current Level: Rookie (DSL)
With the DSL recently starting their season, still looking to see more production as the year concludes and as he moves stateside next year. Javier has played exclusively at 1B.
40. Victor Bericoto, 1B/OF (January rank #31)
Age: 19
Current Level: Rookie (ACL)
Victor appeared in 2 games before being placed on the 60 day IL in mid-July. Hoping the injury isn’t too serious and he can be healthy during the off-season.
41. Trevor McDonald, RHP (January rank #18)
Age: 20
Current Level: Rookie (ACL)
Command and control are giving him a little trouble and that is to be expected from a young pitcher like McDonald.
42. Grant McCray, OF (January rank #26)
Age: 20
Current Level: Rookie (ACL)
McCray isn’t walking or stealing as much as he did in his first season and the two may be connected together, however, he has shown an improvement in both SLG and OPS albeit in several fewer games.
43. Armani Smith, OF (January rank #46)
Age: 23
Current Level: High-A
Across two levels, Smith is starting to show the power he displayed at UC Santa Barbara with 10+ HR and still being able to hit .300+ during that time.
44. Franklin Labour, OF (January rank #43)
Age: 23
Current Level: High-A
Labour has 10+ HR to go along with 10+ SB for the first time in his career and it’s also important to note, Franklin is walking more frequently than ever before.
45. Pat Ruotolo, RHP (January rank #50)
Age: 26
Current Level: AA
Older for most prospects, Pat has a good chance to contribute in the bullpen at some point in SF in the near future. Likely not in 2021, but 2022/2023.
46. Tyler Fitzgerald, SS/2B/3B (January – unranked)
Age: 23
Current Level: High-A
Another potential breakout candidate heading into 2022, Tyler looks to finish the year on a high note as he has a chance to post a 20+ HR/10+ SB line.
47. Michael Plassmeyer, LHP (January rank #48 Tampa Bay Rays)
Age: 24
Current Level: AA
Plassmeyer is a control specialist with the ability to generate strikeouts, keep an eye on the young lefty out of Missouri.
48. Cole Waites, RHP (January rank #48)
Age: 23
Current Level: Low-A
Waites has always been an intriguing arm and hopeful he’ll be able to round out the 2021 season with a clean bill of health. Waites touched 100 mph in his last rehab appearance.
49. Jimmy Glowenke, 2B (January – unranked)
Age: 22
Current Level: Low-A
Glowenke comes the Giants from Dallas Baptist and provides the Giants with another quality hitter who has the chance to be a 10+ HR hitter.
50. Garrett Frechette, 1B (January rank #47)
Age: 20
Current Level: Rookie (ACL)
Frechette hasn’t quite produced like I would have hoped, still only 20 and developing. There is a lot to like moving forward from the sweet-swinging lefty.
Names to watch:
Tristan Beck, RHP
Kai-Wei Teng, RHP
Jake Wong, RHP
David Villar, 3B
Sandro Fabian, OF
Anthony Rodriguez, 3B
Rohan Handa, LHP
Nick Sinicola, RHP
Mason Black, RHP
Donovan McIntyre, OF
Elian Rayo, 3B
My name is Paul Aiton and I’ll be covering the San Francisco Giants prospects. I grew up in Yorktown, Virginia until 2014, where I’ve since been traveling the country the last few years in attempt to chase a dream, working in professional baseball. I played 3 years in college, one season at New River CC and another two at Averett University after a shoulder injury derailed my dreams of playing professionally. Since then, I’ve gone on to coach high school and collegiate baseball. I also worked with Inside Edge Baseball for 5 years while working in their advanced scouting department. Outside of baseball I like to spend my mornings either on a golf course or taking my puppy Ace on hikes through Arizona. You can follow me @Paul_8en on Twitter. I’m always available to talk about Giants prospects, anything fantasy related or baseball!
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Paul Aitonhttps://www.prospects1500.com/author/giants003/
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Paul Aitonhttps://www.prospects1500.com/author/giants003/
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Paul Aitonhttps://www.prospects1500.com/author/giants003/
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Paul Aitonhttps://www.prospects1500.com/author/giants003/
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