If there is a strength in the Giants organization right now, it's young starting pitching both at the MLB level and upper minor leagues but with Blake Snell likely leaving via free agency, Logan Webb stands alone as the only true rellable frontline starter on the staff.
MLB:
Logan Webb RHP: 13-10, 3.47, 7.56 K/9, 2.20 BB/9, 204.2 IP.
Robbie Ray LHP: 3-2, 4.70, 12.62 K/9, 4.40 BB/9, 30.2 IP.
Jordan Hicks RHP: 4-7, 4.10, 7.88 K/9, 3.86 BB/9, 109.2 IP.
Hayden Birdsong RHP: 5-6, 4.75, 11.00 K/9, 5.38 BB/9, 72 IP.
Kyle Harrison LHP: 7-7, 4.56, 8.54 K/9, 3.04 BB/9, 124.1 IP.
Landon Roupp RHP: 1-2, 3.58, 8.40 K/9, 4.56 BB/9, 50.1 IP.
Tristan Beck RHP: 0-0, 1.69, 7.88 K/9, 2.25 BB/9, 16 IP.
Keaton Winn RHP: 3-8, 7.16, 7.81 K/9, 3.25 BB/9, 55.1 IP.
Mason Black RHP: 1-5, 6.44, 7.68 K/9, 3.72 BB/9, 36.1 IP.
Trevor McDonald RHP: 0-0, 0.00, 3.00 K/9, 3.00 BB/9, 3 IP.
There is deep depth here, enough to consider trading from it to upgrade other positions. Very thin at the top though as Logan Webb is the only reliable established SP and his arm is starting to accumulate some serious mileage. Acquiring at least one more proven top end SP should be a priority for Buster this winter.
AAA:
Carson Whisenhunt LHP: 3-5, 5.42, 11.61 K/9, 4.56 BB/9, 134.1 IP.
Carson Seymour RHP: 7-10, 4.82, 8.84 K/9, 4.02 BB/9, 134.1 IP.
Carson Ragsdale RHP: 2-4, 5.03, 9.56 K/9, 4.36 BB/9, 53.2 IP.
John Bertrand LHP: 1-0, 1.80, 5.40 K/9, 4.50 BB/9, 10 IP.
More depth. Any of these 4 could make the MLB club at some point in 2025.
AA:
Nick Sinacola RHP: 5-2, 4.08, 68.1 IP, 7.77 K/9, 2.37 BB/9, 68.1 IP.
Jack Choate LHP: 1-4, 5.82, 10.85 K/9, 4.76 BB/9, 34 IP.
Seth Lonsway LHP: 2-1, 1.38, 7.16 K/9, 1.93 K/9, 32.2 IP.
Dylan Cumming RHP: 3-7, 5.03, 9.62 K/9, 3.83 BB/9, 82.1 IP.
Wil Jensen RHP: 4-5, 3.43, 10.61 K/9, 2.89 BB/9, 84 IP.
My impression is everyone in this group has a relatively low ceiling.
A+:
Joe Whitman LHP: 2-3, 4.96, 9.23 K/9, 1.88 BB/9, 52.2 IP.
Dylan Carmouche LHP: 0-2, 5.34, 11.57 K/9, 2.67 BB/9, 30.1 IP.
Manuel Mercedes RHP: 4-9, 5.28, 6.91 K/9, 4.19 BB/9, 116 IP.
Cesar Perdomo LHP: 3-6, 4.00, 9.17 K/9, 4.00 BB/9, 54 IP.
Hayden Wynja LHP: 2-3, 4.95, 9.43 K/9, 3.67 BB/9, 56.1 IP.
Esmerlin Vinicio LHP: 1-4, 7.40, 8.14 K/9, 7.03 BB/9, 24.1 IP.
Mikell Manzano RHP: 1-0, 4.05, 10.80 K.9, 0.00 BB/9, 6.2 IP.
A somewhat disappointing season for Whitman. Mercedes is a classic sinker/groundball pitcher with low K rates who is subject to the BABIP gods. Perdomo has a below-average FB but good command of multiple pitches. Wynja is 6' 9" and lefties that tall don't grow on trees.
A:
Cale Lansville RHP: 3-4, 4.36, 8.35 K/9, 2.66 BB/9, 74.1 IP.
Josh Bostick RHP: 4-7, 4.70, 10.15 K/9, 3.69 BB/9, 107.1 IP.
Gerelmi Maldonado RHP: DNP
Ryan Vanderhei RHP: 2-3, 3.58, 8.84 K/9, 4.78 BB/9, 37.2 IP.
Ubert Mejias RHP: 4-7, 4.70, 6.24 K/9, 1.83 BB/9, 122.2 IP.
Lansville has had some big games in the AFL. Bostick has a MLB frame with inconsistent command. Hope to see Gerelmi on the comeback trail in 2025. Vanderhei has a projectable frame.
ACL: None
DSL:
Argenis Cayama RHP: 0-1, 2.21, 10.18 K/9, 3.98 BB/9, 20.1 IP.
Don't know much about him except this was his age 1 season and he got a mention in Baseball America.
Summary:
The Giants are well-stocked with young pitching in the upper levels of the organization but have concentrated heavily on position players in the last several drafts and international signing cycles so almost no serious pitching prospects in the rookie/short season leagues.
Two things.
ReplyDelete1. If we really need a stop gap starter, perhaps Posey should contact his old friend MadBum. Might be worth a call.
2. I see no mention of Bednar in your evaluation. Are we giving up on him as a starter, already?
Madbum's time has come and gone and I think the Giants need more than a stopgap SP. They need at least one and maybe two additional legitimate frontline SP's who give them a chance to win and go deep into games almost every time out. As for Bednar, although I read reports of increased velocity last season I did not see that translate to significant improvement in his outcomes. To me he is a non-prospect until he proves otherwise, which of course is always possible.
DeleteIs Kai-Wei Teng not in the mix? He didn't pitch well in four games but he's a big guy and only 26.
ReplyDeleteTeng has an occasional great start that makes you think he could be an ace but is way too hittable most of the time. I don't see him on the same level as the pitchers I listed.
DeleteGood rundown Doc. Giants figure to have a pretty good staff. Good News today, no surprise Robbie Ray opted in on the final 2 years of his contract. Jordan Hicks reportedly signed with the Giants to become a starting pitcher. Will he be a starter or reliever in 2025? I think the next couple of years will tell us what kind of starting pitchers Harrison and Birdsong will become. They are still very young. Will they continue to work and learn what it takes to become successful mlb pitchers?
ReplyDeleteCrazy how wil bednar is just not even considered a legit prospect anymore. Guy went from someone who should blow past the minor leagues to not even making AAA in 3 years after he was drafted. Another wasted first round pick
ReplyDeleteFZ had a very poor track record with first round draft picks but let's not forget the that they got almost nothing from their first rounders after Joe Panik until Heliot Ramos under the old regime. Drafting is hard!
DeleteAlso, I understand Bednar ran into some fairly serious back issues. Not sure what was in his medical or scouting reports but I'm not sure how to foresee that type of injury.
DeleteTo me, FZ seemed obsessed with drafting first rounders who would accept underslot deals so he could go overslot later in the draft. That approach worked out well with Kyle Harrison and Patrick Bailey but in general I favor taking the best player available in the first round, paying what it takes to sign them and let the rest of the draft take care of itself.
Deletelook at any org -- Baltimore, Dodgers... plenty of 1st round misses all around
DeleteI'm on constant quest for the tall lefty growing trees, so far I find no evidence of Dr.B not being right
ReplyDeleteI can see Landon Roupp snatching the starting job from Jordan Hicks. Hicks fast ball was barely 90 mph in his last start.
ReplyDeleteHas the team decided that Hjelle is now 100% a reliever and not an option for the rotation?
ReplyDeleteI would say it appears that Bob Melvin found a role Hjelle succeeded in, versatile relief arm, and will likely continue to use him in that role.
DeleteThanks Doc, excellent info to chew on. I liked what I saw with Keaton Winn. Any word on how his rehab is going? BTW an org can not have too much SPs.
ReplyDeleteThis is day 5, so things are about to happen?
ReplyDeleteI think GM meetings start today.
DeleteA lot of coaching movement, could be a good thing, could be, uh, not?
ReplyDeleteRamos gave credit to departed coach Justin Veile for hi succes:
SF Chronicle Nov 4th
"Outfielder Heliot Ramos gave credit to Viele for his breakout 2024 season in which he earned an All-Star nod. Ramos and Viele spent much of the 2023 offseason working together in Arizona, which helped hone Ramos’ swing and helped him hit with greater confidence."
Pete Putila, the former Giants general manager, found a new home as Atlanta GM Alex Anthopoulos’ assistant general manager, according to ESPN. Former president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi hired Putila, 35, as GM in 2022 to replace Scott Harris after Harris left to become the president of baseball operations for the Detroit Tigers. Putila was reassigned when Buster Posey became president of baseball operations at the end of this past season.
ReplyDeletePer Shayna Rubin: Shayna.Rubin@sfchronicle.com
Is Elijah Pleasants in low A more a SP or a RP?
ReplyDeleteI feel like Pleasants could be a swing man/multi-inning reliever. I notice he pitched 3.1 innings as a starter in the Arizona Fall League the other night.
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