The San Francisco Giants’ farm system lacks the type of high-upside prospects loaded with star potential that many of their peers have worked to build.
Still, the Giants’ organization does possess a number of players who could intrigue possible trade partners like the Miami Marlins or become solid players in their own right in San Francisco. On Wednesday morning, Baseball America released its updated list of the top 10 prospects in the Giants’ farm system, and the three names at the top of the index have all been mentioned as possible trade chips in a deal for Marlins’ slugger Giancarlo Stanton.
The highlight of Baseball America’s update is the presence of a new prospect topping the Giants’ system, and that’s 2017 first round draft choice Heliot Ramos, an outfielder out of Puerto Rico who possesses the potential to become a five-tool player at the Major League level.
After Ramos, Baseball America lists outfielder Chris Shaw second, pitcher Tyler Beede third, infielder Christian Arroyo fourth, outfielder Bryan Reynolds fifth, catcher Aramis Garcia sixth, left-handed pitcher Garrett Williams seventh, outfielder Steven Duggar eighth, outfielder Sandro Fabian ninth and left-handed pitcher Andrew Suarez tenth.
Baseball America believes the Giants’ system is trending down, and there isn’t much star power outside of Ramos, but there is a potential for several of the top prospects on the list to arrive at the Major League level in the near future. Both Shaw and Beede are on the doorstep and could make their debuts in 2018, while Arroyo should have an opportunity to make the Giants’ 25-man roster in Spring Training.
Duggar is likely rated lower on this list than any internal lists the Giants have, as San Francisco believes he could be the center fielder of the future. Suarez is also an intriguing name who could push for a bullpen spot or bide his time until a place in the starting rotation opens, as he’s a serviceable left-hander with a fastball in the low 90s and a good arsenal of breaking pitches.
A pair of surprising omissions from the list were the franchise’s second and third round draft choices in 2017, third baseman Jacob Gonzalez and left-handed pitcher Seth Corry. Both players were drafted out of high school this summer, but both showed flashes of potential with the Giants’ Arizona Rookie League affiliate.
After listing the top 10 prospects, Baseball America also listed players with the top tools in the organization, which highlighted the skills of many of the top prospects. Ramos was listed as the best power hitter, Arroyo was listed as the best hitter for average, and Duggar was rated as the player with the best strike-zone discipline.