The Giants have taken a couple players out of North Carolina, nearby where amateur scouting director Michael Holmes used to live. He had a chance to see Patrick Bailey and Nick Swiney up close, which has to be valued after a season that was nearly completely wiped away by the coronavirus.
The same should apply to local products, whom the Giants surely have had a chance to see up close.
Farhan Zaidi & Co. have said they want to be built locally, and they took another step toward that goal in selecting lefty Kyle Harrison out of De La Salle High School in Concord in the third round Thursday.
Harrison, from Danville, thoroughly dominated in NorCal, going a perfect 10-0 with a 1.26 ERA in his junior season. This year he went a quick 2-0 before the season unceremoniously ended.
Harrison is the Giants’ first pick this year out of the high-school ranks. He is committed to UCLA, and San Francisco may be counting on going overslot to ensure he goes pro.
After the Giants went with NC State catcher Bailey in Wednesday’s first round, they have scooped up third baseman/pitcher Casey Schmitt, NC State lefty Swiney, shortstop Jimmy Glowenke from Dallas Baptist and now Harrison. Up next: selections 114 and 144.