ACL: Giants edged out the Guardians 3-2.
Friday, July 17, 2026
Down on the Farm: 7/16/2026
Thursday, July 16, 2026
2025 Draft Review: MLB First Round
Just for the fun of it we will assign a letter grade which is based on to-date performance only, not on future value.
1. Nationals: Eli Willits SS HS. DOB: 12/9/2007. B-S, T-R. 6' 1", 180 lbs.
2. Angels: Tyler Bremner RHP College. DOB: 4/20/2004. 6' 2", 190 lbs.
A+: 0-3, 4.24, 34 IP, 12.71 K/9, 3.18 BB/9.
Started the season strong but missed a month with arm fatigue and performance has not been the same since. That's the risk with drafting pitchers. Grade C.
3. Mariners: Kade Anderson LHP College. DOB: 7/6/2004. 6' 2", 180 lbs.
AA: 8-1, 1.36, 72.2 IP, 13.38 K/9, 1.24 BB/9.
And here is the upside to drafting an ace college pitcher. We can only hope Jackson Flora takes this trajectory. Grade A+!
4. Rockies: Ethan Holliday SS HS. DOB: 2/23/2007. B-L, T-R. 6' 2", 210 lbs.
A: .262/.395/.557, 9 HR, SB, 15.1 BB%, 28.3 K%, 152 PA.
Age appropriate level for a player drafted out of HS. Looking like more of a 3-true outcomes profile but as long as the K rate stays below 30% it's probably manageable and a natural byproduct of the plate discipline. BABIP of .319 is only slightly above the mean. Grade B+.
5. Cardinals: Liam Doyle LHP College. DOB: 6/3/2004. 6' 2", 220 lbs.
6. Pirates: Seth Hernandez RHP HS. DOB: 6/28/2006. 6' 4", 190 lbs.
7. Marlins: Aiva Arquette SS College. DOB: 10/17/2003. B-R, T-R. 6' 5", 220 lbs.
8. Blue Jays: JoJo Parker SS HS. DOB: 8/8/2006. B-L, T-R. 6' 2", 200 lbs.
A: .242/.381/.426, 18 2B, 2 3B, 9 HR, 21 SB, 17.1 BB%, 24.7 K%, 328 PA.
Early 3-true outcomes profile but only subpar number is BA which many analysts ignore. Could probably stand to be a bit more aggressive at the plate but that partly depends on organizational philosophy. Grade B.
9. Reds: Steele Hall SS HS. DOB: 7/24/2007. B-R, T-R. 5' 10", 180 lbs.
ACL: .286/.387/.532, 16 2B, 10 HR, 24 SB, 13.5 BB%, 24.2 K%, 244 PA.
Nice numbers but a conservative placement for a #9 overall draft pick. Grade B.
10. White Sox: Billy Carlson HS. DOB: 7/29/2006. B-R, T-R. 6' 1", 185 lbs.
.257/.374/.335, 8 SB, 15.3 BB%, 25.4 K%, 177 PA.
Just started a rehab assignment in the ACL after a 6 week IL stint for a fracture of the tip of his left thumb. Decent numbers before the injury but with no power. Grade C.
11. A's: Jamie Arnold LHP College. DOB: 3/21/2004. 6' 1", 188 lbs.
AA: 4-5, 4.15, 80.1 IP, 9.52 K/9, 4.26 BB/9, 2.41 GB/FB.
K/BB comes up a bit short but AA is an aggressive placement. Grade B.
12. Rangers: Gavin Fien SS HS. DOB: 3/8/2007. 6' 3", 200 lbs.
A(Nationals): .249/.335/.425, 9 2B, 2 3B, 7 HR, 4 SB, 11.8 BB%, 28.1 K%, 221 PA.
Drafted by the Rangers as a SS then traded to the Nationals and moved to the OF.
High K rate is holding him down a little but still young. Grade B.
13. Giants: Gavin Kilen SS College. DOB: 3/28/2004. B-L, T-R. 5' 10", 187 lbs.
A+: .282/.350/.462, 27 2B, 3B, 9 HR, 9.2 BB%, 13.8 K%, 349 PA.
Performing to what the Giants drafted him for. Strong contact numbers with moderate power. A veritable doubles machine. Giants must think he is progressing enough to justify a post-All-Star break promotion to AA. Grade B+(If he puts up similar numbers in AA his grade improves to an A).
14. Rays: Daniel Pierce SS HS. DOB: 8/4/2006. B-R, T-R. 6' 0", 185 lbs.
A: .252/.336/.390, 5 2B, 4 HR, 6 SB, 7.9 BB%, 28.6 K%, 140 PA.
Fairly average stat line for a HS draftee in his first full season in A ball. Unfortunately Pierce must have suffered a serious injury as he hit the 60-day IL on June 9 after his last game on 5/30. Grade C(although serious injuries early in a player's career can have long lasting results).
15. Red Sox: Kyson Witherspoon RHP College. DOB: 8/12/2004. 6' 2", 220 lbs.
A+: 2-4, 5.07, 65.2 IP, 9.46 K/9, 4.39 BB/9.
Witherspoon was a late riser in the draft cycle. Those guys often don't work out. Grade C.
16. Twins: Marek Houston SS College. DOB: 4/14/2004. B-R, T-R. 6' 3", 205 lbs.
17. Cubs: Ethan Conrad OF College. DOB: 7/5/2004. B-L, T-L. 6' 2", 220 lbs.
18. D'Backs: Kayson Cunningham SS HS. DOB: 6/25/2006. B-L, T-R. 5' 10", 182 lbs.
19. Orioles: Ike Irish C College. DOB: 11/26/2003. B-L, T-R. 6' 2", 201 lbs.
A+: .262/.376/.468, 16 2B, 3B, 12 HR, 18 SB, 13.4 BB%, 22.3 K%, 314 PA.
Highest rated catcher in the draft with excellent performance at age-appropriate level. Grade A.
20. Brewers: Andrew Fischer 3B College. DOB: 5/25/2004. B-L, T-R. 6' 0", 210 lbs.
21. Astros: Xavier Neyens SS HS. DOB: 10/29/2006. B-L, T-R. 6' 3", 210 lbs.
A: .240/.449/.462, 14 HR, 16 SB, 25.9 BB%, 30.2 K%, 305 PA.
3 true outcomes profile here. Gets an aggressive promotion to A+ to start tomorrow. Grade A.
22. Braves: Tate Southisene SS HS. DOB: 10/6/2006. B-R, T-R. 5' 11", 180 lbs.
23. Royals: Sean Gamble OF HS. DOB: 7/6/2006. B-L, T-R. 6' 1", 188 lbs.
A: .188/.307/.278, 10 2B, 2 3B, 4 HR, 23 SB, 12.0 BB%, 26.0 K%, 342 PA.
You can see the tools in the line but has some work to do on batting skills. Grade D.
24. Tigers: Jordan Yost SS HS. DOB: 12/21/2006. B-L, T-R. 6' 0", 170 lbs.
A: .255/.387/.340, 9 2B, 2 3B, HR, 9 SB, 14.3 BB%, 13.0 K%, 230 PA.
Light on power but good contact with some speed. Grade B.
25. Padres: Kruz Schoolcraft LHP, HS. DOB: 4/18/2007. 6' 8", 229 lbs.
A: 1-5, 6.59, 54.2 IP, 9.38 K/9, 5.93 BB/9, 1.66 GB/FB.
This is the kid I drooled over predraft. Boom or bust pick. Struggles with command/control not surprising for a kid this size but overall a disappointing first full pro season. Maybe I'll have to figure out when he is pitching and make a trip down to Lake Elsinore to see him for myself. Grade C.
26. Phillies: Gage Wood RHP College. DOB: 12/15/2003. 6' 0", 205 lbs.
27. Guardians: Jace LaViolette OF College. DOB: 12/4/2003. B-L, T-L. 6' 6", 228 lbs.
A+: .236/.340/.449, 13 2B, 2 3B, 14 HR, 8 SB, 12.1 BB%, 36.5 K%, 323 PA.
Polarizing player leading up to the draft. Was preseason #1 overall in some predraft, preseason rankings but stock dropped due to inconsistent junior season and severe hit-tool concerns. So far staying true to his 3-true outcomes profile but the K rate is concerning to say the least. Will it play at higher levels? Grade C.
28. Royals: Josh Hammond SS HS. DOB: 9/21/2006. B-R, T-R. 6' 1", 210 lbs.
A: .282/.354/.404, 17 2B, 3 3B, 5 HR, 19 SB, 10.0 BB%, 20.2 K%, 351 PA.
Yet another HS shortstop I don't remember in predraft chatter. Nice start at age appropriate level. Grade B+.
29. D'Backs: Patrick Forbes RHP College. DOB: 7/11/2004. 6' 3", 220 lbs.
A+: 0-0, 2.84, 12.2 IP, 12.08 K/9, 1.42 BB/9, 1.50 GB/FB.
Got a late start to the season due to some sort of elbow injury. Nice start in an extremely small sample. Grade C(but room for big jump up in second half if he can stay healthy).
30. Orioles: Caden Bodine C, College. DOB: 12/2/2003. 5' 10", 200 lbs.
Down on the Farm: 7/15/2026
ACL: Giants defeated the Royals 7-5.
Wednesday, July 15, 2026
DrB's 2026 Giants Top 50 Prospects Review: #31-50
Instead of slogging through #31-50, we'll highlight the ones whose stock is clearly up. Everyone else in that range is either stable or down.
37. Victor Bericoto OF/1B:
38. Scott Bandura OF:
41. Cesar Perdomo LHP:
46. Jonah Cox OF:
DrB's 2026 Giants Top 50 Prospects Review: #21-30
21. Carlos De La Rosa LHP:
ACL: 4-2, 6.21, 42 IP, 9.86 K/9, 4.93 BB/9, 1.77 GB/FB.
Has had a couple of really good starts but inconsistent command holds him back. Still only 18 yo. Stock Stable.
22. Yunior Marte RHP:
23. Trevor Cohen OF:
A+: .297/.387/.416, 26 2B, 2 3B, 3 HR, 26 SB, 12.6 BB%, 13.7 K%, 380 PA.
24. Rayner Arias OF:
ACL: .176/.317/.294, 2 HR, 3 SB, 9.6 BB%, 31.7 K%, 104 PA.
Man, do you remember when this kid got a 7-figure signing bonus and all the analysts said he had advanced skills and would be a fast mover? That was a long time ago! Has never found traction after a series of wrist injuries. Stock Down.
25. Joe Whitman LHP:
26. Drew Cavanaugh C:
28. Dayson Croes 2B:
29. Trent Harris RHP:
Tuesday, July 14, 2026
Down on the Farm: 7/14/2026
We didn't post a Down on the Farm yesterday. Full season leagues are all off until Friday. The ACL game was suspended in the second inning and there was NTSH for the DSL games.
ACL: Giants outscored the Rangers 11-7.
DrB's 2026 Giants Top 50 Prospects: Midseason Review #11-20
11. Blade Tidwell RHP:
13. Drew Gilbert OF:
14. Jesus Rodriguez C:
15. Daniel Susac C:
16. Parks Harber 1B/3B:
17. Carlos Gutierrez OF:
18. Dakota Jordan OF:
A+: .290/.346/.533, 18 HR, 15 SB, 7.9 BB%, 27.9 K%, 355 PA.
Dakota Jordan is the guy who looks and has the athleticism of a football halfback. He's pretty much put concerns about the bat to rest. I was concerned about potential for muscle strains given the body type but he's stayed healthy so far this season with no sign of residual from last year's hammy. Hit a hard double in the Future's Game and is ticketed for a promotion to AA after the break. Stock Up!
19. Argenis Cayama RHP:
A: 3-0, 4.50, 37 IP, 11.43 K/9, 1.95 BB/9, 1.84 GB/FB.
I did not realize Cayama's K/BB was that good until I just now looked up his stat line on Fangraphs. I saw him pitch in Ontario. He was impressive with a sinking mid-90's FB and a sharp slider. Ran into similar stamina problems as Keyner Martinez in the game I saw but he's two years younger than Martinez. Looks like he is currently rehabbing in Arizona. Promising young pitcher. Stock Stable.
20. Luis De La Torre LHP:
A+: 3-6, 5.17, 69.2 IP, 12.01 K/9, 7.11 BB/9.