Saturday, January 10, 2026

DrB's 2026 Giants Top 50 Prospects: #46-50


50.  Lisbel Diaz OF.  DOB:  7/19/2005.  B-R, T-R.  6' 2", 221 lbs.  Rule 5 Eligible Dec 2027.

2025(A):  .269/.320/.405, 10 HR, 26 SB, 5.9 BB%, 18.7 K%, 561 PA.

Solid season for A San Jose although not the breakout I hoped for after a strong age 18 season in 2024.  Seems to be already limited to LF defensively so will have to hit a ton at higher levels.  Should move up to A+ ball in 2026.

49.  Zander Darby 3B.  DOB:  11/26/2002.  B-L, T- R.  6' 3", 197 lbs. Rule 5 Eligible Dec. 2027.

2025(A):  .291/.403/.459, 5 HR, 10 SB, 15.2 BB%, 18.4 K%, 244 PA.
2025(A+):  .123/.261/.228, HR, SB, 13.0 BB%, 42.0 K%, 69 PA.

12'th round draft pick in 2024.  Lefty hitter with some size.  Drafted as a SS but already moved off the position to 3B/2B.  Hit well for A San Jose but struggled in small sample after promotion to A+ where he should start the 2026 season.

48.  Zane Zielinski SS.  DOB:  7/28/2001.  B-R, T- R.  6' 3", 175 lbs.  Rule 5 Eligible Dec. 2027.

2025(A+).  .240/.338/.303, 4 HR, 32 SB, 10.1 BB%, 25.5 K%, 483 PA.

Aggressive placement for the Giants 9'th round draft pick from 2024.  Tall, thin, athletic shorstop with some speed.  May struggle at the plate or he may grow into his frame and add power.

47.  Damian Bravo OF.  DOB:  9/8/2003.  B-R, T-R.  6' 2", 195 lbs.  Rule 5 Eligible Dec. 2028.

2025(College):  .330/.384/.580, 13 HR, 18 SB, 6.4 BB%, 18.8 K%, 250 PA.
2025(A+):  .276/.337/.322, SB, 5.1 BB%, 18.4 K%, 98 PA.

15'th round draft pick and the only 2025 pick to be assigned above A ball.  I expect him to start there again in 2026 after getting his feet wet.  Aggressive hitter produces good BA's but limits OBP and power.  Defensively has speed to play all 3 OF positions but strong arm, 93 MPH off a mound, makes him well suited for RF.  I am really excited to see how Bravo and all the 2025 draftees do in 2026.

46.  Jonah Cox OF.  DOB:  8/4/2001.  B-R, T-R.  6' 3", 200 lbs.  Rule 5 Eligible Dec. 2026.

2025(A+):  .267/.333/.398, 10 HR, 58 SB, 9.0 BB%, 22.4 K%, 597 PA.  

Acquired in Feb 2024 traded with A's for Ross Stripling.  Speedy OF who can play CF.  Elite speed which Fangraphs rates as a 70 grade.  Promoted to A+ in late 2024 which gave him a bit of a head start on 2025.  Dramatically improved his K rate at the cost of a reduced walk rate.  His overall A+ line improved on his 2024 performance at the same level.  Should be ready to challenge the AA Eastern League in 2026.  

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6 comments:

  1. AnonymousJanuary 10, 2026 at 11:53 AM

    Hey, Doc, how contagious for an 85-yo husband is pneumonia if your wife gets it and you've shared the bed for almost 50 years?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. DrBGiantsfanJanuary 10, 2026 at 12:43 PM

      Depends on what caused the pneumonia. Viral pneumonias are highly contagious(although not everybody who contracts the virus gets pneumonia). Most bacterial pneumonias are mildly to moderately contagious. Hopefully you have had your Pneumovax vaccine and COVID, Flu and RSV vaccines. Beyond that, I recommend you consult your and her physicians about additional recommendations. Influenza and COVID can be treated with antivirals and of course bacterial pneumonias can be treated with antibiotics.

      Delete
    2. AnonymousJanuary 10, 2026 at 1:28 PM

      It's bacterial. We went to Urgent Care facility this morning – of course this happens on the weekend!
      It's a very thorough facilities for emergencies, part of the only hospital we have in Chico.
      She's really conked out after taking amoxicillin and azithromycin.
      Thank you for your perspective.
      Yeah, yeah, get all the shots.
      She gets them, I don't so much, and she catches everything from taking care of the young grandchildren. And I don't.

      Delete
  2. AnonymousJanuary 10, 2026 at 5:42 PM

    Definitely some interesting prospects here, young and old, if Cox can survive AA Richmond, Lee may well see a challenge here in just a couple of years.
    Just 20-yo mid year, Diaz is nicely young and has 2 years for the breakout he needs? OTOH, he only has 2 years until he's Rule 5, and, if 2027 ends up with a lockout/strike, what happens?
    What do you think about the likelihood of 2027 being a disaster for baseball, especially with some real issues to resolve?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. DrBGiantsfanJanuary 10, 2026 at 9:04 PM

      I think MLB and the MLBPA need to be very careful here. A significant shortening or loss of the season could be the end of MLB as we know it.

      Delete
  3. AnonymousJanuary 11, 2026 at 12:43 AM

    Hell Yeah! I love your top 50 run down every year. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete

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