San Francisco Giants: Who Are The 2022 Top 5 Prospects
The San Francisco Giants feature a vast collection of homegrown talent. From Buster Posey to Brandon Crawford, the Giants have been able to rely on their farm system to produce major league-ready players. Even those such as LaMonte Wade Jr., whom nobody really saw as an impact prospect, can come from obscurity and evolve into the team’s best overall offensive player. For the Giants, the farm system is a big part of their sustained success.
Giants Top 5 Prospects
1. Marco Luciano
This is pretty much a no-brainer as San Francisco’s top prospect. Luciano is someone I’ve seen play on at least 3 or 4 occasions. He’s a perennial 30+ HR player with power that could eclipse that number on a yearly basis. Luciano did struggle with his K rate once promoted to Hi-A Eugene. There are also concerns about him staying at SS as his primary position. Regardless, Luciano was one of the youngest players in all of Hi-A. Those numbers aren’t concerning.
2. Jairo Pomares
I’m a huge fan of Pomares. My ranking is a bit out of the norm for most, however, he’s going to hit that ball faster than any rocket NASA has in their fleet. With that being said, that pure power will only get him so far if he continues to swing at every pitch. Pomares’ stellar .448 BABIP in Lo-A wasn’t as favorable in Hi-A where he maintained a .328 BABIP. While I love Luciano and his ability to hit home runs, Pomares has quite a bit more power. I’d just expect him to hit for a lower average and maintain a lower OBP. That power threat is real, though.
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3. Luis Matos
Matos should be considered the best-hitting prospect in the Giants organization. He doesn’t strikeout and is a great contact hitter. Matos is also capable of stealing some bases. My reasoning for him not being higher; is he’s only played at the Lo-A level. One of my favorite prospects in the Colorado Rockies system, Ezequiel Tovar, was on a tear for Lo-A Fresno at the beginning of the season. His promotion to Hi-A Spokane, while not awful, wasn’t as impactful as we saw in Lo-A Fresno. Could the same fate be in Matos’ future? Matos is not a power hitter. His bat skills will need to guide him to the majors. I do believe he puts it together, I’m just not sure if he’s as sure of a thing to hit over .300 as Pomares/Luciano are to hit 30+ HRs.
4. Kyle Harrison
Harrison was lights out for Lo-A San Jose in 2021. He led Lo-A West pitchers with a 3.19 ERA, placed 2nd in K’s (157), and was 3rd in games played (23). Harrison did spend all year in Lo-A. While the time spent against competition he clearly overmatched might not seem like a positive, I’d reckon that he’s just as ready for the assignment to Hi-A as any other High School pitcher from the 2020 (Covid) Draft class. Harrison also features one of the nastiest sliders I’ve seen. However, outside of the slider and fastball, I’m not sure what his other truly dominant offering is. Harrison offers the most upside of the Giants’ pitching prospects. Will Bednar will get their first, but Harrison might be the 1 starter in 4 years’ time. That slider is just too damn good to ignore.
5. Aeverson Artega
Huh?
Yes, I’ve left out Joey Bart and Heliot Ramos in favor of Artega. Why? Artega showed a lot of promise in the Complex League. He’s got a really solid swing with some nicely developing pop to his bat. Unlike Luciano, Artega has a better chance of staying at SS. He’s still far away from being a top-3 guy in the system. I’m going to guess Artega demolishes Lo-A San Jose. My issue of concern, Artega did slow down in the Complex League after a fast start. I believe that’s just a mirage and simply him adjusting to stateside baseball for the first time.
Just Missed The Cut
Joey Bart
Bart is the most MLB Prospect in the Giants system. I’m concerned about his injuries. I do think the Giants gave him just a bit too much seasoning in the minors.
Heliot Ramos
Ramos went on a tear to start the season in AA Richmond. He was challenged with a promotion to AAA Sacramento. Personally, I saw nothing that made me think consistent MLB All-Star. I believe he’s going to produce in some capacity.
Image Source: Shelly Valenzuela / San Jose Giants
Daniel is a guru of baseball and basketball prospects. He’s a very experienced Amusement Park traveler as well. Follow him and his hot takes on Insta @dgentleman9288
