San Francisco Giants Top 50 Prospects (2024)

2024-P1500-SF — Top 50 graphic design by Michael Packard, @CollectingPack on Twitter.

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It’s been a long wait under Farhan Zaidi’s watch to get a moribund system to start pumping talent to the top again — too long in the view of many fans and even members of the front office itself. When Zaidi took over baseball operations in 2019, the farm system was thin and had very little upper level talent. Despite health challenges that have waylaid multiple 1st round picks since then, the system did start providing some internal support in 2023, as Gold Glove candidate Patrick Bailey was one of 12 prospects to make their major league debut for the club.

The Giants showed particular success developing pitching talent, and now sits on an enviable stock of major league or near-major league ready arms that could be used as roster help or potential trade chips. With top prospects Kyle Harrison and Marco Luciano now poised to be part of the Opening Day major league roster, this should finally be the year that the system plays a major role in the club’s success, and a new influx of hitting talent in the lower levels begins its journey upwards. It’s not an upper tier system yet by any means, but at long last it’s beginning to make an impact. (@rog61)

Six Prospects1500 writers and special contributor, former Prospects1500 Giants correspondent Roger Munter (@rog61), contributed to this column and rankings including Scott Greene (@Scotty_Ballgame), Tony Bps (@tonybps1), Greg Bracken (@gregbracken07), Adam Greene (@aj_greene1015), Clint Fasse (@ProspectLarceny), and Jeremy Mahy (@JMahyfam). The writer’s Twitter handle follows each player write-up or paragraph.

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 to make the majors; possible sleeper candidates for sustained MLB success
Tier 5: Players of interest, worth keeping an eye on, who may make (or have made) the majors but provide minimal impact

Levels listed for each player are the highest levels player reached in 2023

Tier 1

1. Kyle Harrison, LHP, 22, MLB
Harrison is not only the top Giants prospect but also one of the top pitching prospects in all of baseball. He more than held his own during the 7 games he appeared in this past season for the major league team, striking out about a batter an inning. He throws three pitches real well with his fastball hitting the mid 90’s regularly. Harrison’s command has been an issue in the past but if he can continue to refine his stuff, we could be looking at an ace pitcher or strong 2 starter. (@tonybps1)

Tier 2

2. Carson Whisenhunt, LHP, 23, Double-A
San Francisco’s 2nd round pick in the 2022 draft dominated three leagues last year with 83 strikeouts in 58.2 innings. He had a tidy 1.02 WHIP but that number hides the amount of walks he gave up in those innings – 23. He has the makings of a 2 starter if he (like Harrison) can limit the free passes. There’s a good chance Whisenhunt can get some time in the majors later this year. (@tonybps1)

3. Jung-Hoo Lee, OF, 25, International signee
It feels weird writing about a player who just signed a 6 year contract for $113m last month but rules are rules and Jung Hoo Lee is still a prospect, no matter how rich he is. Coming over from the KBO where he hit .340 with 65 home runs and 69 steals in 884 games, Lee is assured the starting centerfield job on the major league team. He projects to hit for average with average speed and power in the major leagues and he’s only 25 years old so his prime years are still ahead of him. For any FYPD, Lee could be among the first few players taken since he can help both rebuilding and contending teams. (@tonybps1)

Tier 3

4. Rayner Arias, OF, 17, Rookie (DSL)
Arias was an International signee last January and put up video game numbers in the Rookie league this past season. In 58 at-bats, he slashed .414/.539/.793 with 4 home runs. More impressive were the 15 walks to only 11 strikeouts. Arias is only 17 years old and it’ll be a few years before he reaches the major leagues but now is the time to get him in your dynasty leagues, if he isn’t already owned. (@tonybps1)

5. Marco Luciano, SS, 22, MLB
Luciano’s name was mentioned as one of the top prospects in baseball prior to 2022 but he struggled somewhat in 2023. He didn’t fare too well during his short stay in the majors this season but is still young at 22 years old. Luciano is more power-over-hit and has a great chance to open the season as the starting shortstop. Development isn’t linear and Luciano could be worth grabbing from a frustrated owner. (@tonybps1)

6. Bryce Eldridge, OF/1B/RHP, 19, Single-A
The Giants selected the two-way player out of high school, but so far Eldridge has only appeared in the outfield. He will get a shot on the mound though and with their pitching pipeline, he certainly has the capabilities with a three pitch mix consisting of a fastball, slider and changeup. On the other side of the ball, Eldridge features a huge power swing which was a key component of his first round selection. It’s no surprise that his arm could make him a natural fit in the outfield, but he also played a lot of first base in high school. (aj_greene1015)

7. Reggie Crawford, LHP/DH, 23, High-A
As another two-way player, Crawford was a collegiate standout. A slew of injuries and eventual Tommy John surgery limited his innings over the last few seasons, so the Giants have been careful in ramping him back up. He does have the ability to overpower hitters with a fastball that can hit triple digits which is paired with a high 80s slider. Crawford can also offer plus raw power in the batter’s box, but isn’t ever going to be an on base machine. His stuff on the mound is too good to gamble on a power-minded hitter. He’ll get occasional reps at first base and DH, but the Giants Crawford’s future on the mound. (aj_greene1015)

8. Grant McCray, OF, 23, High-A
McCray was drafted all the way back in 2019, but the pandemic and injuries have slowed his development. He followed up a breakout 2022 season with a nice year at High-A Eugene last year. The speedy centerfielder scored 101 runs, stole 52 bases, had an OBP of .360, and even chipped in 14 home runs. The downside is that all of that came with a near 30% strikeout rate. As he faces more advanced pitching there is a real concern that his swing and miss will rear its ugly head and bring those numbers crashing back to earth. 2024 will be a huge year for McCray. (@JMahyfam)

9. Walker Martin, SS, 19, High School
When Martin fell to the Giants in the second round of last year’s draft, they pounced going well over slot value to get the Colorado prep star. With good reason, as our MLB Draft expert (@ShaunKernahan) had him ranked as the 26th best player on his board. Martin was named Colorado’s Gatorade Player of the Year after hitting .633/.722/1.632 with 75 RBI and a nation leading 20 home runs in 29 games. He is incredibly athletic (also a state champion Quarterback), has great makeup, and can obviously hit the baseball quite hard. I will be watching this kids debut very closely next year. (@JMahyfam)

10. Hayden Birdsong, RHP, 22, Double-A
Birdsong jumped on my radar last year when I saw his fourth of July start from last year in which he threw five no-hit innings with only one walk and eleven punchouts. All totaled last year he finished with 149 strikeouts in 100.2 innings pitched with a respectable 1.22 WHIP. He finished last year in Double-A Richmond and I look for him to start back there this year. His walk rate did climb after his promotion to Double-A and that will be something to keep an eye on going forward. His four-pitch mix and size (6’4”) would profile well in the rotation, but ultimately his command will dictate where he ends up. (@JMahyfam)

11. Mason Black, RHP, 24, Triple-A
Black was the organization’s Minor League Player of the Year last year thanks in large part to a 30% strikeout rate. He is primarily a sinker/slider pitcher with the slider being his put away pitch. When his command is on, he can attack inside the zone and keep hitters off balance. The consistency of his command and/or the development of even an average third pitch will determine his ultimate role, but there is plenty to like here. He had 13 starts in Triple-A Sacramento at the end of the year and is right on the doorstep. (@JMahyfam)

12. Wade Meckler, OF, 23, MLB
The former Oregon State Beaver received his MLB cup of coffee this past September, getting into 20 games with the Giants. The 23-year-old outfielder, affectionately nicknamed Sparky, isn’t known for his power, but does so much else. He slashed .371/.456/.510/.966 across three levels in 2023. His Triple-A .354 batting average was 8th among all PCL players with 80 or more PA. His Double-A .336 was 5th among all Eastern League players with 140 or more PA, and his .456 BA in High-A was first among all Northwest League batter with 80 or more plate appearances. Quite a year and indeed deserving of his MLB call up. (@Scotty_Ballgame)

Tier 4

13. Landen Roupp, RHP, 25, Double-A
14. Aeverson Arteaga, SS, 20, High-A
15. Victor Bericoto, OF/1B, 22, Double-A
16. Vaun Brown, OF, 25, Double-A
17. Joe Whitman, LHP, 22, Single-A
18. Jairo Pomares, OF, 23, High-A
19. Diego Velasquez, SS/2B, 20, Single-A
20. Keaton Winn, RHP, 25, MLB
21. Onil Perez, C, 21, High-A
22. Will Bednar, RHP, 23, Single-A
23. Brett Wisely, 2B/OF, 24, MLB
24. Eric Silva, RHP, 21, High-A
25. Maui Ahuna, SS, 21, College
26. Dariel Lopez, 3B/SS, 21, High-A
27. Carson Seymour, RHP, 25, Double-A
28. Carson Ragsdale, RHP, 25, High-A

Roupp was limited to just 31 IP at Double-A last year due to injury but looked sharp in the limited sample (1.74 ERA/1.00 WHIP with a 42:9 K:BB). Arteaga plays the shortstop position at a high level and pairs it with a bat that popped 17 home runs and drove in 73 runs last year. Brown absolutely dominated against younger competition but took a step back against more age-appropriate pitching (37% K rate in Double-A). Bericoto had a breakout year in 2023, hitting 27 home runs while driving in 86 runs. If he starts hot this spring, he might stick around camp for a while. Velasquez has an advanced approach and a quick bat from both sides of the plate. The swing is currently geared more for contact, but the right combination of strength gain and swing adjustment could really up his profile. Bednar is another pitcher that has been limited due to injuries. Throwing just 53.2 innings over the last two years, the Giants needs a healthy 2024 to get this former first round pick back on track. (@JMahyfam)

Tier 5

29. Adrian Sugastey, C, 21, High-A
30. Erik Miller, LHP, 25, Triple-A
31. Randy Rodríguez, RHP, 24, Triple-A
32. Tyler Fitzgerald, 3B/OF, 26, MLB
33. Trevor McDonald, RHP, 22, High-A
34. Ryan Murphy, RHP, 24, Double-A
35. Hayden Wynja, LHP, 25, High-A
36. Gerelmi Maldonado, RHP, 20, Single-A
37. Blayne Enlow, RHP, 24, Triple-A
38. Kai-Wei Teng, RHP, 25, Triple-A
39. Jack Choate, LHP, 22, High-A
40. Cole Waites, RHP, 25, MLB
41. Ryan Reckley, SS, 19, Rookie (ACL)
42. Cole Foster, SS, 22, Single-A
43. Jose Cruz, RHP, 23, Double-A
44. Liam Simon, RHP, 23, Single-A
45. Quinn McDaniel, 2B, 31, Single-A
46. Spencer Miles, RHP, 23, Single-A
47. Alix Hernandez, RHP, 19, Rookie (ACL)
48. Angel Guzman, OF, 18, Rookie (DSL)
49. William Kempner, RHP, 22, Double-A
50. Luke Shliger, C, 22, Single-A

Sugastey is more hit-over-power but could develop some pop as he matures but he’s already 21 and hasn’t moved above A+ as of yet. Miller is a middle reliever who can potentially help the bullpen this season. He has command problems but throws hard. Rodriguez is another pitcher who may see time out of the bullpen this season if, like Miller, he can work on his command. Fitzgerald profiles as more of a utility player than a starting regular but there’s always value in those types of players in deep leagues. Maldanado throws heat, routinely hitting the upper 90’s but his command is a work in progress. At only 20 years old, he has time to figure that out. Enlow was once a highly regarded pitching prospect for the Twins but injury and ineffectiveness cut short his march to the majors. He gets a change of scenery here in San Francisco with opportunities to stick with the big league team if he has a solid spring training. Foster could carve out a utility role with his position versatility. Choate, Cruz, Simon, Kempner are all middle relief prospects. Miles has the tools to become a solid major league starter. If he’s healthy this season, keep your eye on his progress. (@tonybps1)

Prospects1500

Prospects1500 is your comprehensive dynasty league resource, featuring deep MLB/MiLB top prospect lists, news and rankings.

Scott Greene

President of Prospects1500. Founder of Diamond Duos dynasty fantasy baseball leagues and the MLB Fantasy Playoffs Parlay. Participant and champion in several dynasty/fantasy baseball and football leagues. Sales Manager for Reminder Publishing in real life. Huge Bruce Springsteen and pro wrestling fan. Along with his wife and two boys, lives in Longmeadow, MA. Follow on Twitter at @Scotty_Ballgame.

Adam Greene

Adam Greene is a Sport Management and Marketing double major at UMass Amherst's Isenberg School of Management. His main focus is sport marketing, where he's already had internships with the local Westfield Starfires and Springfield Thunderbirds. He now writes for the Cape Cod Baseball League. From Longmeadow, MA, Adam is a huge Red Sox fan and has been following the team his whole life. When Covid hit, he started paying a lot more attention to the Red Sox minor league teams, and now, follows them almost as much as the big league squad. Follow him on Twitter at @aj_greene1015 and Instagram at the same handle.

Jeremy Mahy

Jeremy covers the St Louis organization and contributes on Prospects of the Week for Prospects1500. Born and raised in the Midwest, he is a lifelong fan of the Birds on the Bat. You can follow him on Twitter @JMahyfam for more baseball content.

"Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good, too." -Yogi Berra

Tony Bps

Tony Bps Spina is a lifelong baseball fan hailing from the City of Brotherly Love - Philadelphia! Tony has loved baseball since 1980 and has followed the Phillies through good and bad times. Tony is married with 3 kids and works for a financial institution but has enough free time to play in 20 fantasy baseball leagues with 75% of them being Dynasty Leagues. He lives a few blocks away from Citizens Bank Park and attends many Phillies games per year in addition to their minor league teams in Lehigh Valley and Reading. He can be reached on Twitter at @TonyBps1.