The Minor League season has come to an end, and the final results might have San Francisco Giants fans concerned. None of the organization’s Minor League squads made the playoffs and, much like the Major League club, injuries were a major storyline all season. Top prospects Tyler Beede and Christian Arroyo have missed much of the season due to injuries, and even newly drafted Heliot Ramos hasn’t seen the field much after being hit in the head by a pitch last month. On top of that, the players that have made the leap to the Major Leagues, aside from a few exceptions, haven’t instilled a ton of confidence.
With that in mind, it’s easy to look toward 2018 and expect more of the same. But on the latest edition of the KNBR Minor League Podcast, Giants weekend pre and post game host Marty Lurie gives fans reason to look forward to next season, with promising young players being one of the big reasons why.
“Crick could very likely be (an impact player), he throws 97 to 98 (miles per hour). Reyes Moronta, we’ve seen him only a few times but 97, 98 coming out of that right arm. Austin Slater, he’s done nothing but hit. There’s something about this kid I like. It’s his swing, he’s not overwhelmed, he looks like he belongs here…I think Slater can help quite a bit.”
As for the players who are on the horizon, Marty will get a closer look at a few of them when the Arizona Fall League begins on October 10th. The Giants will be sending outfielders Chris Shaw, Steven Duggar, catcher Aramis Garcia and pitchers Tyler Beede and Tyler Cyr to Arizona. Marty is looking forward to getting a better look at them come October.
“Garcia’s a big kid and he looks like Carlton Fisk as a catcher. Beede of course we’ve seen a lot of him and I can’t wait to see him pitch in the rotation down there. Cyr I’ve never seen pitch so I’m anxious to see what he can do…Duggar, absolutely want to see him play as much as he can…I think the Giants might have the most interesting group of any team that’s down there.”
For more on the Arizona Fall League and who Marty thinks the Giants should target this offseason, check out the latest edition of the Minor League Podcast.