DrB's 2026 Giants Top 50 Prospects: Honorable Mention(A)

 

Hunter Dryden RHP.  DOB:  6/10/2002.  5', 11", 168 lbs.  Rule 5 Eligible Dec. 2027.

2025(A):  5-3, 2.90, 93 IP, 9.97 K/9, 3.97 BB/9.  

17'th round draft pick in 2024.  Pitched 4 hitless innings with 7 K's in his first pro game 4/9/2025 and struck out 10 batters in 4 IP in his final game of the season in the Cal League playoffs.  Relies heavily on a mid-90's FB that he throws up in the zone as a strikeout pitch.  Also has a developing slider and changeup for a potential 3 pitch SP mix.  I find myself a little frustrated he did not get a midseason promotion to A+ because A is a very conservative placement for college draftees and I feel like he proved he could more than handle it by midseason.

Ricardo Estrada LHP.  DOB:  6/25/2002.  6', 0", 170 lbs.  Rule 5 Eligible Now.

2025(ACL):  2-1, 1.53, 35.1 IP, 11.21 K/9, 1.78 BB/9, 1.46 GB/FB.

2025(A):  3-1, 2.10, 37.2 IP, 7.17 K/9, 4.78 BB/9, 1.72 GB/FB.

2025(AFL):  0-0, 3.27, 11 IP, 9.0 K/9, 5.7 BB/9.  

Lefty who took too long to graduate from the DSL so is already Rule 5 eligible despite 2025 being his first pro experience above rookie league.  No scouting report.  Decent K rate with an above average groundball tendency allows him pitch above his peripherals.   Can he do that again at higher levels?

Drake George RHP.  DOB:  9/30/2001.  6', 1", 184 lbs.  Rule 5 Eligible Dec. 2027.

2025(A):  2-1, 3.20, 56.1 IP, 9.91 K/9, 2.40 BB/9, 1.45 GB/FB.

Strong first half but season ended early due to unknown injury.

13'th round draft pick in 2024.

Cole Hillier RHP.  DOB:  12/7/2000.  6' 2", 205 lbs.  Rule 5 Eligible Dec 2026.

2025(A):  4-5, 2.78, 58.1 IP, 9.87 K/9, 5.09 BB/9.

2025(AA):  2-0, 0.00, 10 IP, 5/40 K/9, 2.70 BB/9.

I saw him pitch in 2025.  Massive lower half.  Firm fastball with sharp slider.  May have a real shot at a career as a bullpen arm.

Gerelmi Maldonado RHP.  DOB:  12/21/2003.  6' 2", 170 lbs.  Rule 5 Eligible Now

2025(A):  0-4, 3.97, 59 IP, 10.53 K/9, 6.71 BB/9, 2.07 GB/FB.

Plagued by wildness after missing 2024 for Tommy John surgery.  If he can cut down on the wildness he could move fast, particularly if he moves to the bullpen.