DrB's 2024 Giants Top 50 Prospects: #45-41

45.  Scott Bandura OF.   DOB:  8/2/2001.  B-L, T-R.  6'4", 190 lbs.  Rule 5 Eligible Dec. 2026.

2023(ACL):  .400/.524/.667, HR, 23.8 BB%, 28.6 K%, 21 PA.

2023(A):  .241/.364/.405,  2 HR, 3 SB, 15.2 BB%, 26.3 K%, 99 PA.

7'th round draft pick in 2023.   Bandura is a prospect I will watch closely for several reasons, not the least of which is his Little League World Series resume where he was Mo'Ne Davis' catcher.  Ivy League pedigree doesn't hurt either.  What separates him from most Ivy League draftees is the big league size and apparent athleticism.  Shows excellent plate discipline with modest present power with room for power projection.  Plus I give him at least a 60-grade as a baseball name.

44.  Manuel Mercedes RHP.   DOB:  9/21/2002.  6' 4", 190 lbs.  Rule 5 Eligible

2023(A):  3-6, 3.64, 106.1 IP, 6.09 K/9, 3.55 BB/9, GB/FB= 2.86.  

It's continues to be crazy to me that an international prospect like Mercedes is a full year younger than Scott Bandura, as just one example, yet was Rule 5 Draft eligible last Dec while Bandura has 3 more full seasons to develop before the Giants face that risk with him.  It's probably a lot less important than I'm making it out to be but it still bugs the heck out of me.  Mercedes pounds the zone with a sinking FB that induces dominant groundball ratios.  There used to be a major market for those kinds of pitchers as "innings eaters" and #3/4 SP types but analytics do not like the outcome variability of the BABIP luck that comes with it.  While I would not want a rotation of 5 such pitchers, IMO every rotation should have at least one.

43.  Chris Wright LHP.  DOB:  10/14/1998.  6'1", 205 lbs.  Rule 5 Eligible.

2023(AAA):  2-2, 5.28, 46 IP, 12.72 K/9, 9.20 BB/9.  

Rough introduction to AAA.  Lots of pitchers in the PCL had very high walk rates due to a constricted automated strike zone.  I don't think watching a lot of batters walk is what MLB wants to increase fan interest even if it does increase scoring.

42.  Nick Avila RHP.  DOB:  7/25/1997.  6'4", 195 lbs.  Rule 5 Eligible.

2023(AAA):  14-0, 3.00, 72 IP, 8.00 K/9, 4.50 BB/9, GB/FB=1.27, 3 Saves.  

Forget the W-L.  That is a fluke of sequencing that is likely not repeatable but considering it was the PCL, this a strong pitching line anyway.  Avila was nabbed by the White Sox in last year's Rule 5 Draft but returned in time to start the season in the Giants organization.  Survived this year's Rule 5 Draft and has a chance to move up to MLB if a bullpen need arises.

41. Trenton Brooks OF/1B. DOB:  7/3/1995.  B- L, T-L.  5'10", 195 lbs.  Rule 5 Eligible.

2023(AAA Oak):  .299/.405/.529, 16 HR, 5 SB, 13.8 BB%, 14.6 K%, 412 PA.

2023(AAA SFG):  .233/.382/.465, 6 HR, 2 SB, 18.9 BB%, 15.3 K%, 111 PA.

Hey!  Maybe that lefty-hitting DH I've been talking about is already in the organization?  Blake Sabol might be ahead of him on the depth chart for that gig?  I really like Brooks batting lines and would like to see what he could to at MLB level.