2026 Giants Draft Review: Rounds 1-4

Hey team!  I was going to post a draft preview this morning but ran out of time.  There was plenty of intrigue to speculate about going into the draft but it turned out to be very little drama and unfolded almost entirely according to best player available for most teams.  I was going to headline the preview with something along the lines of Will Roch Fall? or Will Roch Float?  While Buster Posey may have had designs on using his Bonus Pool war chest to make Roch Cholowsky and offer he couldn't refuse and the first three teams would not meet, that effort seemed to lose steam as the draft approach and Roch emerged as the consensus #1 among draft experts and that is exactly what happened.  Grady Emerson SS, the consensus #1 HS prospect went #2 as widely expected and Vahn Lackey C, the ultra-athletic catcher from. Georgia Tech went to the Twins at #3.  

That brings us to the Giants pick at #4.  After months of Jacob Lombard HS SS assigned to the Giants in mock drafts the more obvious pick, Jackson Flora College RHP emerged as the likely pick late in the cycle and that is who they took.   The rest of the first round stuck pretty close to script and as anticipated, the Giants nabbed a high-ceiling HS arm at #29 overall with the Competitive Balance pick they got from the Guardians in the Patrick Bailey trade.  So with that introduction, here is a breakdown of the Giants first four rounds:

Round 1 #4:  Jackson Flora RHP, College(UCSB).  DOB:  05/25/2005.  6' 5", 205 lbs.  

2024(USCB):  3-2, 3.83, 47 IP, 25 BB, 40 K.

2024(West Coast League):  1-0, 0.69, 13 IP, 4 BB, 9 K.

2025(UCSB):  6-3, 3.60, 75 IP, 17 BB, 86 K.

2026(UCSB):  12-0, 1.06, 102 IP, 32 BB, 133 K. 

Jackson Flora is a prototypical college ace pitcher who still has physical upside.  He sports a high-90's fastball that regularly hits triple digits as well as a nearly complete arsenal of secondary pitches including a sweeper and more traditional down-breaking slider and added a "kick" change this year that gives him a weapon against lefty batters.  Once Cameron Flukey RHP from Coastal Carolina went down with a rib injury, Flora quickly separated himself from the pitching field and formed a tier of his own.  With the standard caveat of barring injury, he should move quickly through the minors and establish himself as an elite MLB starting pitcher, something the Giants desperately need.  The only other player who made sense for this pick was Jacob Lombard SS HS.  I agree with Mark DeRosa that Lombard has the highest ceiling in the entire draft but he also has some strikeout concerns that give him some bust potential.  He ultimately went to the Marlins at #14 and they may end up with the steal in the draft but given the Giants needs and the plethora of high-ceiling shortstop prospects they already have in their system, Flora was the right pick.

Round 1 #29(Competitive Balance from Guardians):  Carson Bolemon LHP, HS.  DOB:  4/5/2007.  6' 4", 215 lbs.  

As if we need more pitchers named Carson in the Giants organization.......Although we do not have HS pitching stats and they don't mean much anyway, Bolemon put up elite numbers in high school and continued to shine in showcase and international competition.  He struck out 101 batters in 42.1 IP his junior year of HS and struck out 17 in 11 IP in World Cup competition.  

He has excellent command of a mid-90's fastball, a sweeper and a downward curve as well as the kick changeup shiny new toy.  As with any high school pitcher, injury is the big concern and Bolemon does have a history of a partial UCL tear in 8'th grade(8'th grade?  Yikes!).  He has shown no signs of arm trouble since.  He also turned 19 yo 3 months before the draft but should be a fast mover in the minors to make up for that.  The Giants have a strong track record of success with drafting high school pitchers.  Carson Bolemon has all the makings of another success.  

Round 2 #55:  Kaden Waechter RHP, HS.  DOB:  8/3/2007.  6' 3", 190 lbs.  

Son of former MLB pitcher Doug Waechter RHP.  Projectable athletic frame.  Fastball mid-90's with room for more.  Secondary pitch is a slider.  Changeup sounds like it needs some work.  Hey!  Maybe he can use a kick change?!  Nice combination of pedigree, size, projectability and current pitchability.  

Round 3 #90:  Peyton Bonds OF, College.  DOB:  7/19/2005.  B-R, T-R.  6' 5", 230 lbs.  

2024(Campbell U):  .267/.341/.427, 5 HR, 14 SB, 15 BB, 30 K, 170 PA.

2024(Perfect Game Collegiate League):  .364/.556/.455, 4 BB, 2 K's, 18 PA.

2025(Rutgers):  .300/.384/.430, 5 HR, 16 SB, 21 BB, 45 K, 258 PA.

2025(Cape Cod League):  .333/.333/.667, 0 BB, 3 K, 6 PA.

2026(Rutgers):  .352/.436/.535, 6 HR, 13 SB, 16 BB, 21 K, 166 PA.

Talk about pedigree!  Young Peyton is the grandson of Bobby Bonds and the nephew of Barry.  Elite size with above average athleticism and tools across the board.  Although he does not have elite speed, per scouting reports he is a plus defensive CF.  Has a feel for hitting currently with contact over power but high exit velocities suggest there is power to unlock.  MLB scouting report says outstanding baseball instincts with a passion for the game with a willingness to grind it out like his father, Bobby Bonds Jr.  I am sure Young Peyton's Unc is more than willing to make him a personal development project.  

Round 4 #118:  Carlos Martinez RHP, College.  DOB: 9/21/2004.  6' 2", 210 lbs.

2023(Hofstra):  1-1, 12.83, 13.1 IP, 5 BB, 9 K.

2024(Hofstra):  6-4, 4.02, 78.1 IP, 32 BB, 95 K.

2026(Hofstra):  6-3, 3.30, 76.1 IP, 27 BB, 96 K's.  

No MLB scouting report.  Video available online shows a solid frame with long arms and legs.  Loose arm action.  Available scouting reports show a 92-93 MPH fastball.  Slider is his best pitch.  Missed the 2025 season with Tommy John surgery.  Probably projects as a reliever.  Giants may be looking to go way under slot but probably could go back to school as a redshirt senior so likely still has some negotiating leverage.  

16 more players to be drafted tomorrow so we are just getting started.  Christmas in July!