Hot Stove League Update: AFL Review and GM Meeting Notes

The 2026 Arizona Fall League is in the books for Giants fans as the Scottsdale Scorpions, the team Giants players were assigned to, lost in the first round of the AFL playoffs 16-5 ending their season.  Here is a breakdown of Giants prospects in this year's fall competition:

Dakota Jordan OF: .230/.356/.333, 4 2B, 3B, HR, 5 SB, 14 BB, 33 K, 87 AB.

Jordan showed some speed and on-base skills and had some moments but nothing really outstanding in his line.

Kaeden Kent 2B:  .232/.306/.250, 2B, 4 SB, 5 BB, 13 K, 56 AB.

Kent's reputation coming in was high contact/low power.  He definitely did not show any power in a small sample.

Dalton Wentz 3B:  .313/.436/.531, 2 2B, 3B, HR, SB, 5 BB, 6 K's, 32 AB.

Ironically the best Giants performer in the AFL was a guy who just got drafted.  The AFL is mostly for prospects with AA experience and above.

Miguel Mendez RHP:  0-1, 3.52, 15.1 IP, 15 BB, 19 K.

Mendez, who came over from the Padres in the Robbie Ray trade did not have a great AFL but had a sensational final start in the playoff game with a line of 4 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 6 K's.  ERA= 0.00.

Darien Smith RHP:  1-0, 2.25, 8 IP, 3 BB, 9 K's.  

Smith is a swingman undrafted free agent from 2024.  He appeared in 5 AAA games in 2026 which is where he should start out the 2027 season.  He is not Rule 5 eligible until Dec. 2027.

Drake George RHP:  0-0, 3.00, 9 IP, 5 BB, 5 K's.  

Round 13 draft pick 2024.  last appeared in a minor league game in 2025.  Rule 5 Eligible Dec. 2027.

Alexander Fuentes RHP:  0-0, 11.57, 0.1 IP, 13 BB, 12 K's.  

Fuentes has yet to play in full season minor league ball so not too surprising he struggled with control here.

Randy Rodriguez RHP:  0-0, 13.50, 2 IP, 3 BB, 3 K's.  

Coming back from Tommy John surgery, Rodriguez was shut down early with some elbow soreness.  Yikes!

The Giants were quiet at the GM meetings.  Buster met with reporters at the end.  A few interesting tidbits of information per Alex Pavlovic:

Giants hired James Rowson, recently let go by the Yankees, as their "Offensive Coordinator".  They are close to hiring a batting coach.  

The Harrison Bader contract situation is resolved.  The Giants and MLB are expected to make a joint statement in the near future.  Bader is on the Giants roster for now.  Alex P's body language suggests he does not expect Bader to start the season in a Giants uniform.  

Buster stated the team is unlikely to sign any players with a Qualifying Offer attached.  That would include several top prospects who otherwise might be fits.  

Between the Giants essentially taking themselves off the high-end free agent market and a looming work stoppage, this is shaping up to be one very boring offseason.  I may not post much between now and the end of the holidays but we'll kick it up a notch then with the 2027 Giants Top 50 Prospects list and countdown summaries.

Oh, and there were a couple of reliever signings:  Emilio Pagan RHP signed with the Tigers for $11.5 M and Evan Phillips RHP signed with the Braves for 3 yr/$35 M.  Not cheap,  but both are pitchers the Giants should be in on as potential Closers who signed for less than what an established Closer will cost.  

Hot Stove League Update: A Trade and a Signing

These are probably not what you were hoping to read about here but the Giants did pull off a couple of transactions of note in the last week.  First they traded Reiver Sanmartin LHP to to the Nationals for Robert Cranz RHP.  They also signed Spencer Bauers RHP as an undrafted free agent out of indy ball.  Let's break it down:

Reiver Sanmartin LHP.  DOB:  4/151996.  6' 1", 188 lbs.  No Options.

2026(AAA):  4-2, 3.25, 27.2 IP, 8.46 K/9, 1.30 BB/9, 3.43 GB/FB

2026(MLB):  3-0, 4.22, 21.1 IP, 6.75 K/9, 2.95 BB/9, 3.38 GB/FB

Sanmartin was already DFA'd on Black Monday.  I thought his contribution last season was grossly underrated.  His ERA after his first 3.1 IP was 3.50.  His FB velocity is borderline competitive but he backs it up with a very good changeup. He does not issue walks and keeps the ball on the ground.  He was probably let go because the Giants are in velocity-chasing mode right now.

Robert Cranz RHP.  DOB:  5/28/2003.  6' 3", 207 lbs.  Rule 5 Eligible Dec. 2027.

2026(A+):  0-1, 2.25, 16 IP, 15.19 K/9, 6.75 BB/9.

2026(AA):  3-2, 3.42, 26.1 IP, 13.67 K/9, 2.39 BB/9.

2026(AAA).  1-2, 13.11, 11.2 IP, 6.94, K/9, 10.03 BB/9.

Drafted 2024 in the 7'th round out of college.  Mid-90's FB.  Slider, curve and cutter are secondary pitches.  117 Stuff+ rating. Power reliever profile who misses bats but has control/command lapses(BA per Google AI).  

Since Sanmartin was apparently not in the Giants plans for 2027 and is out of options it makes sense to trade him for a high-upside relief prospect who is still a year away from Rule 5 Draft eligibility.  

Spencer Bauer RHP.  DOB:  9/18/2000.  6' 2", 235 lbs.  

2026(AA-Sioux Falls):  5-2, 3.31, 35.1 IP, 9.4 K/9, 4.1 BB/9.

Reports are Bauer had a velocity spike into the upper 90's after training at a pitching lab.  The Giants are hunting velocity and he gives them that with 4 years of development time despite entering his age 26 season.

Hot Stove League Update: Giants Minor League Free Agents

The Giants have an unusually large class of minor leaguers who are eligible and declared themselves free agents(Thanks to Around the Foghorn for compiling a list):

Darren Baker 2B

Will Brennan OF

Alex Carrillo RHP

R. J. Dabovich RHP

Andrew Knizner C

Eddys Leonard SS/OF

Wilkin Ramos RHP

Joel Kuhnel RHP

Osleivis Basabe IF

Aeverson Arteaga SS

Cristian Alvarado RHP

Manuel Mercedes RHP

Esmerlin Vinicio LHP

Onil Perez C

Jose Ramos OF/IF

Marlon Franco RHP

In addition, the Giants Transaction Log lists the following players who were released:

Gerson Rivero RHP

Jeyson Moya SS

Fernando Estrella RHP

Juan Colorado SS

Boris Sarduy 2B

Delvis Heredia RHP

Any names on these lists who make you stop and say, "oh no!  Not him!?"

Hot Stove League Update: Black Monday

The Giants had to remove 10 players from the 40-man roster to make room for the mandatory activation of players coming off the 60-day IL.  The names were not at all surprising but some of the destinations were.  Let's break it down:

Jose Butto RHP was claimed off waivers by the Rangers. 

Duncan Davitt RHP was claimed off waivers by the Reds.

Brett Harris IF and Shay Whitcomb were claimed off waivers by the Phillies.

Zach Morgan C was claimed off waivers by the Orioles.

Tristan Beck RHP was placed on unconditional release waivers.

Joel Kuhnel RHP and Seth Lonsway LHP were outrighted to AAA Sacramento.

Reiver Sanmartin LHP was DFA'd.

The Giants declined an option on Rowan Wick RHP.  He remains on the 40-man roster, at least for now, as an arbitration eligible player.

Hot Stove Update: Giants Trade Nate Furman

The Giants were able to clear another spot on the 40-man roster by trading Nate Furman 2B to the Washington Nationals for Tony Neubeck LHP.  Let's break it down:

Nate Furman 2B:  DOB:  7/23/2001.  B-L, T-L.  5' 8", 173 lbs.  On 40-man roster, 3 Options.

2026(AAA):  .293/.377/.414, 25 2B, 3B, 7 HR, 19 SB, 11.1 BB%, 11.8 K%, 468 PA.

2026(MLB):  .125/.243/.125, 12.8 BB%, 25.6 K%, 39 PA.

Furman was called up to stand in the gap during a wave of injuries.  There was no way he was going to stick on the Giants 40-man roster through the winter.  He is a decent contact hitter but limited to 2B defensively and has little power.  The fact a team was willing to trade for him means he was going to get claimed off waivers so getting something for him is better than nothing.

Tony Neubeck LHP:  DOB:  5/12/2003.  6' 2", 229 lbs.  Rule 5 Eligible Dec. 2029.

2026(College-Indiana):  7-4, 3.95, 70.2 IP, 9.55 K/9, 3.44 BB/9.

2026(A):  0-0, 0.00, 6 IP, 12.00 K/9, 1.50 BB/9, 4.00 GB/FB.

It finally looks like someone in the Giants organization recognizes the importance of development time for prospects and how limiting the Rule 5 draft can be.  Neubeck was an undrafted free agent for the Nationals in 2026 but pitched well for a major college program.  He's a stout lefty built not unlike "Tugboat" Wilkinson.  A scouting report posted in the comment section of the McCovey Chronicles article has him with a mid-90's FB with some life and a fading changeup he uses as an out pitch.  A slider and cutter are complimentary pitches.  Good job by the Giants pro scouts to essentially get something for nothing out of this trade.

Hot Stove League Update: Let the Games Begin!

 The Giants wasted no time once the World Series officially ended in firing up the old hot stove to keep warm for the winter while hopefully wheeling and dealing their way to a better roster.  Five players were voted off the roster island with three stayed in the organization and two moved on to what they hope is greener pastures for them.

Matt Gage LHP was reinstated from the 60-day IL, cleared waivers and was outrighted to AAA Sacramento.

Osleivis Basabe IF cleared waivers and was outrighted to AAA Sacramento.

Jason Foley RHP cleared waivers and was outrighted to AAA Sacramento.

Grant McCray OF was claimed off waivers by the Mariners.

Braxton Roxby RHP was claimed off waivers by the Nationals.  

Look for more announcements in quick succession in coming days.

Giants Organizational Depth Charts: Starting Pitching

Pitching depth charts get challenging due to the shear numbers of maintaining a 5-man starting rotation.  the Giants bolstered their organizational pitching depth over the past 2 years with trades and the 2026 draft.  While a few pitchers emerged from the international ranks, the focus of Giants international signings is on position players.  

MLB:

Logan Webb RHP:  DOB:  11/18/1996.  6' 2 ", 221 lbs.  Under Contract through 2028($18 M AAV).

2026(MLB):  8-9, 4.31, 160.2 IP, 7.51 K/9, 2.30 BB/9, 1.70 GB/FB.  vFA= 92.4.

Landen Roupp RHP:  DOB:  9/10/1998.  6' 2", 220 lbs.  2 Options. Arb Eligible 2028, Free Agent 2030.

2026(MLB: 9-14, 4.01, 155 IP, 8.30 K/9, 4.35 BB/9, 1.44 GB/FB.  vFA= 92.8.  

Anthony Molina RHP:  DOB:  1/12/2002.  6' 1", 170 lbs.  1 Option.

2026(MLB- 2 teams):  3-2, 3.97, 34 IP, 8.21 K/9, 1.85 BB/9. vFA= 96.4

Cesar Perdomo LHP:  DOB:  2/9/2002.  5' 10", 219 lbs.  3 Options.

2026(AA):  2-4, 3.98, 72.1 IP, 11.07 K/9, 2.74 BB/9

2026(AAA):  7-2, 5.10, 47.2 IP, 6.80 K/9, 3.78 BB/9.

2026(MLB):  0-1, 3.65, 24.2 IP, 5.11 K/9, 2.55 BB/9. vFA= 93.0.

Yunior Marte RHP:  DOB:  8/9/2003.  6' 6", 236 lbs.  3 Options.

2026(A+):  6-1, 3.74, 43.1 IP, 8.52 K/9, 3.95 BB/9.

2026(AA):  2-4, 3.92, 64.1 IP, 10.07 K/9, 3.08 BB/9.

2026(MLB):  0-2, 4.44, 24.1 IP, 5.55 K/9, 3.70 BB/9, vFA= 93.0.

Miguel Mendez RHP:  DOB:  7/1/2002.  6' 2", 165 lbs.  2 Options.

2026(A-SFG):  0-0. 3.86, 2.1 IP, 3.86 K/9, 7.71 BB/9.  

2026(A+- SDP):  0-0, 4.50, 2 IP, 9.00 K/9, 0.00 BB/9.

2026(AA-SDP):  2-2, 4.93, 34.2 IP, 9.87 K/9, 4.41 BB/9.

2026(AA-SFG):  0-1, 8.44, 10.2 IP, 12.66 K/9, 4.22 BB/9.

Adrian Houser RHP:  DOB:  2/2/1993.  6' 4", 227 lbs.  Under Contract through 2027(AAV= $11 M), Club Option for 2028.

2026(MLB):  4-7, 4.02, 109.2 IP, 6.16 K/9, 2.79 BB/9.  vFA= 95.7.

Hayden Birdsong RHP: DOB:  8/30/2001.  6' 5", 225 lbs.  2 Options.

2026(MLB):  DNP.  Underwent "Tommy John" Surgery 3/25/2026.

Logan Webb is the ace but is coming off a down year possibly due to fatigue from participating in the WBC.  As he enters his age 30 season he has built up a lot of mileage on the arm.  Can he bounce back?  Roupp is a similar pitcher who probably should be a #3 or 4 SP on a good team.  Adrian Houser's numbers improved dramatically after a demotion to the bullpen but also coincided with a decision to let pitchers call their own games.  He should rejoin the rotation.  The rest of the depth chart is a collection of young arms who may or may not take the next step forward.  Trevor McDonald RHP, Carson Whisenhunt LHP and Blade Tidwell RHP will miss all of 2027 recovering from "Tommy John" surgery but remain on the longer term depth chart.  This group could obviously use an addition of at least one mid-rotation or better veteran pitcher for 2027.

AAA:

Joe Whitman LHP:  DOB:  9/17/2001.  6' 4", 215 lbs.  Rule 5 Eligible.

2026(AA):  5-1, 3.22, 50.1 IP, 11.62 K/9, 2.32 BB/9, 1.52 GB/FB.

2026(AAA):  4-5, 3.74, 84.1 IP, 7.36 K/9, 2.45 BB/9, 1.22 GB/FB.

Trystan Vrieling RHP:  DOB:  10/2/2000.  6' 4", 217 lbs.  Rule 5 Eligible.

2026(AA):  5-2, 4.23, 106.1 IP, 8.29 K/9, 5.25 BB/9.

2026(AAA):  0-2, 9.68, 17.2 IP, 12.74 K/9, 7.13 BB/9.

John Michael Bertrand LHP:  DOB:  2/8/1998.  6' 3", 238 lbs.  Rule 5 Eligible.

2026(AAA):  5-3, 5.37, 6.04 K/9, 4.84 BB/9, 1.78 GB/FB.

Joe Whitman had a strong season across two levels.  It's not clear to me why he did not get a look at the MLB level after injuries ravaged the rotation since he must be added to the 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft anyway.

AA:

Jackson Flora RHP:  DOB:  5/25/2005.  6' 5", 205 lbs.  Rule 5 Eligible Dec. 2029.

2026(College):  12-0, 1.06, 102 IP, 11.74 K/9, 2.82 BB/9. 

2026(MiLB):  0-0, 0.00, 5 IP, 3 BB, 10 K.

Jacob Bresnahan LHP:  DOB:  6/27/2005.  6' 3", 220 lbs.  Rule 5 Eligible Dec. 2027.

2026(A+):  7-3, 2.92, 98.2 IP, 10.76 K/9, 3.47 BB/9.

2026(AA):  1-1, 5.06, 16.0 IP, 9.56 K/9, 3.94 BB/9.

Greg Farone LHP:  DOB:  5/3/2002.  6' 5", 252 lbs.  Rule 5 Eligible Dec. 2027.

5-11, 5.48, 110.0 IP, 8.75 K/9, 4.91 BB/9.

Henry Lalane LHP:  DOB:  5/18/2004.  6' 7", 211 lbs.  Rule 5 Eligible.

2026(A- NYY):  4-1, 2.74, 62.1 IP, 11.70 K/9, 3.18 BB/9, 1.73 GB/FB.

2026(A+-NYY):  0-0, 2.87, 15.2 IP, 9.77 K/9, 2.30 BB/9, 1.06 GB/FB.

2026(A+-SFG):  1-1, 4.57, 21.2 IP, 6.65 K/9, 3.32 BB/9, 2.00 GB/FB.

Niko Mazza RHP:  DOB:  2/19/2002.  5' 10", 193 lbs.  Rule 5 Eligible Dec. 2027.

2026(A+):  6-5, 4.15, 95.1 IP, 10.38 K/9, 5.19 BB/9, 1.49 GB/FB.

2026(AA):  0-2, 7.00, 9 IP, 9.00 K/9, 2.00 BB/9, 1.50 GB/FB.

Charlie McDaniel LHP:  DOB:  7/4/2001.  6' 3", 208 lbs.  Rule 5 Eligible Dec. 2027.

2026(A+):  3-1, 3.99, 38.1 IP, 9.16 K/9, 1.88 BB/9.

2026(AA):  3-5, 6.02, 80.2 IP, 6.69 K/9, 3.12 BB/9.

Tyler Switalski LHP:  DOB:  6/18/2003.  6' 4", 248 lbs.  Rule 5 Eligible Dec. 2027.

2026(A+):  2-5, 4.22, 74.2 IP, 11.33 K/9, 3.50 BB/9.

2026(AA):  1-4, 9.00, 26 IP, 8.65 K/9, 5.19 BB/9.

Jackson Flora is the big name here.  Expect him to start the season in AA Richmond but move up quickly if he performs well and possibly make his MLB debut as early as midseason.  The Giants as an organization have a lot riding on him.  The common theme with the rest of the list is pitches who performed well at A+ level but hit a wall after promotion to AA.  That's interesting because the AA Eastern League was historically a soft spot for Giants pitching prospects.  

A+:

Hunter Dryden RHP:  DOB:  6/10/1002.  5' 9", 184 lbs.  Rule 5 Eligible Dec. 2027.

2026(A+):  5-5, 4/47, 106.2 IP, 9.62 K/9, 4.30 BB/9.

Luis De La Torre LHP:  DOB:  9/6/2003.  5' 11", 209 lbs.  Rule 5 Eligible.

2026(A+):  3-7, 5.81, 100.2 IP, 11.26 K/9, 7.33 BB/9.  

Jordan Gottesman LHP:  DOB:  8/29/2002.  6' 1", 182 lbs.  Rule 5 Eligible Dec. 2028.

2026(A):  7-1, 3.96, 102.1 IP, 9.76 K/9, 2.99 BB/9.

2026(A+):  0-0, 1.93, 4.2 IP, 3.86 K/9, 1.93 BB/9.

Ramon Marquez RHP:  DOB:  9/19/2005.  6' 2", 182 lbs.  Rule 5 Eligible Dec. 2028.

2026(A-PHI):  3-0, 1.86, 29.0 IP, 14.59 K/9, 3.10 BB/9, 1.86 GB/FB.

2026(A+-PHI):  3-1, 1.50, 30.0 IP, 13.80 K/9, 2.70 BB/9, 2.25 GB/FB.

2026(A+- SFG):  1-1, 5.40, 10.0 IP, 10.80 K/9, 0.90 BB/9, 3.00 GB/FB.

Hayden Wynja LHP:  DOB:  10/14/1998.  6' 8", 232 lbs.  Rule 5 Eligible. 

2026(MiLB- 3 levels):  3-0, 3.52, 23 IP, 11.35 K/9, 4.30 BB/9.

Marquez is the top prospect here, acquired in the Arraez trade to the Phillies.  Gottesman put up nice numbers.  He is a smallish lefty whose FB tops out at 93 MPH, at least when I saw him pitch.  I could see him gaining velocity if he can bulk up his frame a bit.  Wynja showed up late in the season after recovering from elbow surgery.  As I have said many times, 6' 8" LHP's don't grow on trees.   

A:  

Argenis Cayama RHP:  DOB:  9/15/2006.  6' 0", 204 lbs.  Rule 5 Eligible Dec. 2028

2026(A):  4-2, 4.87, 57.1 IP, 11.46 K/9, 2.67 BB/9, 2.24 GB/FB.

Keyner Martinez RHP:  DOB:  8/16/2004.  6' 1", 209 lbs.  Rule 5 Eligible Dec. 2027.

2026(A):  4-5, 4.61, 93.2 IP, 12.88 K/9, 4.52 BB/9.

Leandro Rodriguez LHP:  DOB:  11/15/2005.  5' 11", 212 lbs.  Rule 5 Eligible Dec. 2028

2026(ACL):  1-2, 4.18, 47.1 IP, 11.03 K/9, 2.09 BB/9.

2026(A):  1-0, 4.34, 29 IP, 9.00 K/9, 4.66 BB/9.

Cayama is the best prospect here.  I got several looks at Keyner Martinez.  He looked great in short stretches but seemed to fatigue quickly and struggle out of the stretch.  

ACL: 

Carson Boleman LHP:  DOB:  4/5/2007.  6' 4", 215 lbs.  Drafted #29 overall 2026.

Kaeden Waechter RHP:  DOB:  8/3/2007.  6' 3", 190 lbs.  Drafted Round 2 #55 overall 2026.

Luke Mensik RHP:  DOB:  7/30/2007.  6' 1", 199 lbs.  

2026(ACL):  0-4, 6.25, 40.1 IP, 9.60 K/9, 4.46 BB/9, 1.49 GB/FB.

Carlos De La Rosa LHP:  DOB:  11/30/2007.  5' 10", 193 lbs.  Rule 5 Eligible Dec. 2029.

2026(ACL):  4-3, 6.55, 44.0 IP, 9.61 K/9, 5.52 BB/9, 1.76 GB/FB.

The Giants have historically had good success developing high school pitchers. They hope that route pays off bigly for Boleman and Waechter, but the payoff likely won't be for 3 or 4 seasons ahead.