Prospect Smackdown: International Bonanza!

While the Giants have made headlines with a series of international position player signings at the top of the market they quietly amassed a large cadre of young international pitchers rising rapidly through the prospect rankings and may start making a significant impact within the next 2-3 years.  MLB Pipeline currently lists 7, yes that's 7, in their Giants Top 30.  Let's break it down:

Argenis Cayama RHP.  DOB:  9/15/2006.  6' 1", 180 lbs.  Signed Jan 2024.  Rule 5 Eligible Dec. 2028.  

2025(ACL):  1-1, 2.25, 48 IP, 10.31 K/9, 3.38 BB/9, 3.32 GB/FB.

2025(A):  1-0, 8.16, 14.1 IP, 4.40 K/9, 6.28 BB/9, 2.69 GB/FB.

Cayama put himself on prospect radars by being young for his level and showing an advanced mix of pitches including 4 and 2 seam fastballs that sit 92-94 and flash 97 MPH.  He also has a slider and changeup which are developing.  I hope to catch him pitching for A San Jose in 2026.

Keyner Martinez RHP.  DOB:  8/16/2004.  6' 1", 165 lbs.  Signed July 2023.  Rule 6 Eligible Dec. 2026.

2025(ACL):  3-1, 1.90, 47.1 IP, 12.74 K/9, 1.90 BB/91.28 GB/FB.

2025(A):  2-1, 2.86, 22 IP, 12.27 K/9, 4.50 BB/9, 1.65 FB/FB.

Baseball America rates both his fastball and slider and best in system.  He had a sensational 2025 campaign in the ACL and A levels.  MLB Pipeline says his FB is mid-90's topping out at 98 MPH.  Change up is a "work in progress."  His size may put him in the bullpen but so far his FB velocity stays up through 4 inning appearances.

Alberto Laroche RHP.  DOB:  12/1/2005.  5' 11", 171 lbs.  Signed April 2024.  Rule 5 Eligible Dec. 2028.

2025(DSL):  1-3, 2.11, 38.1 IP, 7.98 K/9, 1.41 BB/9, 2.32 GB/FB.

MLB Pipeline scouting report has him with some of the "most electric stuff" in the DSL.  He gets elite groundball rates from an "explosive" sinker. He also throws a 4-seamer, slider and change up.  He should graduate to Arizona to start 2026 and we will likely see him in A San Jose boxscores by the end of the season.

Luis De La Torre LHP.  DOB:  9/6/2003.  6' 0", 188 lbs.  Signed July 2023, Rule 5 Eligible Dec. 2026.

2025(ACL):  2-1, 3.72, 38.2 IP, 14.43 K/9, 3.72 BB/9, 0.95 GB/FB.

2025(A):  2-2, 1.77, 35.2 IP, 11.86 K/9, 2.78 BB/9, 2.16 GB/FB.  

I saw him pitch after his promotion to A San Jose and came away impressed.  He had excellent command of a live fastball and tight slider.  I thought I saw a pretty good change up or two also.  MLB Pipeline scouting report has his FB 94-96 MPH up to 98.  There was no radar gun in the park when I saw him pitch.  I thought his FB had some pop but I'm pleasantly surprised to see those velocity numbers.  He's coming up on Rule 5 eligibility so should probably start 2026 in A+.

Carlos De La Rosa LHP.  DOB:  11/30/2007.  5' 11", 178 lbs.  Signed Jan 2025(Yankees), Acquired by Trade(Camilo Doval RHP) July 2025.  Rule 5 Eligible Dec. 2029.

Yankees gave him a $400 K bonus.  He had a strong DSL season at age 17.  FB goes 92-94 up to 96 MPH.  He is developing two sliders and a changeup.  We should see him in Arizona as an 18 yo.  It's turning out the Giants got quite a haul for Camilo Doval and De La Rosa may turn out to be the best of them.

2025(DSL):  0-1, 4.73, 32.1 IP, 14.20 K/9, 2.78 BB/9, 1.00 GB/FB.

Yunior Marte RHP.  DOB:  8/9/2003.  6' 5", 210 lbs.  Signed Jul 2021(Royals), Acquired by Trade Jul 2025(Mike Yastrzemski).  Rule 5 Eligible Dec. 2026.

2025(A):  3-5, 2.91, 102 IP, 8.47 K/9, 2.56 BB/9, 1.08 GB/FB.

This is not the same Yunior Marte who pitched for the Giants a couple of years ago.  That guy was kind of small. This dude is large.  Acquired from the Royals for Mike Yastrzemski.  His FB goes 92-95 MPH up to 97.  He pairs that with a slider that MLB Pipeline calls a "deadly combo" against right handed batters.  His secondary stuff is still developing. 

Gerelmi Maldonado RHP.  DOB:  12/21/2003.  6' 2", 170 lbs.  Signed Jan 2021.  Rule 5 Eligible.

2025(A):  0-4, 3.97, 59 IP, 10.53 K/9, 6.71 BB/9, 2.07 GB/FB.

Gerelmi came back from Tommy John surgery with a wild hair up his nose.  His K rates suggests the stuff is still there but he needs to re-find his command.  I am not sure he will make it onto MLB Pipeline's 2026 Giants Top 30 Prospects list.  I know he will be lower on my list until he proves he can command his pitches again.

Smackdown:  Keyner Martinez wins this smackdown on the strength of his results on the field and glowing scouting report.  I mean, if you have two pitches that are best in organization, that's pretty tought to beat, right?  I will probably rank him in my top 10 Giants prospects.  I am excited about the whole group.  It sure seems like the Giants should get at least one SP and a couple of relievers out of this group.