DrB's 2026 Giants Top 50 Prospects: Honorable Mention(A)

 

Niko Mazza RHP.  DOB:  2/19/2002.  5', 11", 194 lbs.  Rule 5 Eligible Dec. 2027.

2025(A):  4-3, 2.22, 93.1 IP, 8.68 K/9, 5.01 BB/9, 1.65 GB/FB.

Drafted in the 8'th round of the 2024 draft but did not make his pro debut until 2025.  Shiny ERA in a pretty good sample size but the ratios indicate that may be a fluke.  Fangraphs rates his FB and slider as 55's with 60 future value.  Also A is a very conservative placement for a college draftee in their first full season.  IMO, his points up a huge problem with holding the draft so late in the season.  Many players don't see action in their draft season yet it gets counted toward service time for Rule 5 Draft eligibility effectively giving a lot of college draftees just 3 minor league seasons prove their worth for 40-man roster promotion.  Something needs to change but I doubt it's a high priority for either side in the upcoming negotiations for the next Basic Agreement.  

Melvin Pineda RHP.  DOB:  5/4/2004.  5' 11", 170 lbs.   Rule 5 Eligible Dec. 2026?

2025(ACL):  3-0, 1.93, 14 IP, 16.07 K/9, 3.86 BB/9.

2025(A):  0-2, 10.80, 11.2 IP, 10.03 K/9, 10.80 BB/9.

Pineda missed all of 2024 and got a late start on 2025.  That is a pattern consistent with Tommy John surgery sometime in 2024.  Hard to make much out of such a limited sample size across two levels in 2025.   2026 probably needs to be a breakout season for him.

Cade Vernon RHP.  DOB:  1/17/2002.  6' 3", 210 lbs.  Rule 5 Eligible Dec 2027.

2025(A):  4-1, 1.60, 56.1 IP, 6.87 K/9, 2.40 BB/9, 2.58 GB/FB, 7 Saves.

Another 2024 draft pick(10'th round) who did not see pro action until 2025.  No scouting report but terrific size and looks like loose arm action in a video from 2025.  Makes up for pedestrian K rate with dominant groundball rate.  Used exclusively in relief including closing duties.  But was able to work multiple innings per appearance.  

Jose Astudillo OF.  DOB:  2/27/2004.  B-R, T-R.  5' 10", 150 lbs.  Rule 5 Eligible now.

2025(DSL):  .413/..491/.522, HR, 2 SB, 7.5 BB%, 9.4 K%, 53 PA.

2025(ACL):  .393/.449/.492, 3 SB, 8.7 BB%, 5.8 K%, 69 PA.

2025(A):  .314/.359/.400, 5 SB, 6.4 BB%, 12.8%, 78 PA.

It's rare for a DSL prospect to get promoted in midseason and Astudillo was stuck there since 2021.  I have a mental picture of Buster Posey scrolling through minor league stat lines on his cellphone, sick of watching another 15 strikeout game by the Giants lineup.  He suddenly straightens up, hits the speed dial button to Randy Winn:

Winn:  Sup Boss?

Buster:  Who's this Jose Astudillo down in the DSL?

Winn:  Dunno boss, but I'll make some calls to the staff down there and give you a report.

Buster:  I don't need no ****in' staff reports!  Look at his K rate. I want him in Arizona by tomorrow night!

Winn:  I see what you mean, boss.  Done!  

2026 may be Jose Astudillo's last, best chance to put himself on the Giants prospect map but he has a heckuva opportunity if he continues to make contact like he did across 3 levels in 2025.

Walker Martin 3B.  DOB:  2/20/2004.  B-L T-R.  6', 2", 188 lbs.  Rule 5 Eligible Dec. 2027.

2025(A):  .234/.353/.384, 12 HR, 13 SB, 14.3 BB%, 28.4 K%, 482 PA.

I may be a little harsh on Martin who was always going to be a project after the Giants drafted him out of Colorado in the 2'nd round in 2023.  He did improves his. K rate significantly but it was still high. The problem I have with Martin's season is half of his home runs came in 7 game stretch in May and he only hit two after June 19.  He did improve his BA somewhat in the second half so maybe he was specifically working on making more contact and cutting down on his K's which he had some success with?  He has 2 more seasons before he reaches the dreaded Rule 5 Draft eligibility so if he can build on the improvements from last season he could well jump back into the Top 50 next season.