In a season in which the Giants have had nine rookies make their MLB debuts, the most anticipated rookie of them all has yet to break through.
But, as Farhan Zaidi intimated Tuesday following the expiration of the trade deadline, it probably won’t be long for that to change.
Kyle Harrison, the Giants’ top-ranked prospect and regarded as the top left-handed pitcher in the minors, is expected to contribute to San Francisco. He’s on an “accelerated rehab program” for his hamstring strain, Zaidi said, and will likely start games for the Giants as they push for a playoff spot.
“He was really right on the cusp when he had the hamstring injury,” Zaidi said. “So it’s not going to take much for us to feel like he’s checked the last box and is ready to come up here.”
Harrison pitched two scoreless innings in an Arizona Complex League game on Monday night, topping out at 96 mph. In Triple-A this season, the 21-year-old has a 4.79 ERA while battling the difficult automated balls and strikes system. He’s racked up 14.7 strikeouts per nine innings, but has also walked seven batters per nine.
The Giants stayed quiet at the trade deadline, instead betting that their internal additions will provide the necessary lift required to push the team into the postseason and beyond. All signs point to Harrison being a part in that.
The next step for Harrison after his Complex League outing will be heading back to Sacramento, Zaidi said. He’ll need to build back up after his layoff, but might only need a couple starts to prove himself ready.
“It’s kind of start-to-start for him, like it was before he got hurt,” Zaidi said.
When the Giants eventually call up Harrison, they expect him to be a starting pitcher, Zaidi said. But, like every pitcher on SF’s roster, they’ll want him to be prepared for any role.
With two traditional starting pitchers in Logan Webb and Alex Cobb in the rotation, a Harrison’s possible emergence could bring the Giants closer to their objective of a more clearly defined rotation.
- The Giants optioned Marco Luciano to Triple-A before Tuesday’s game to clear a roster spot for the newly acquired AJ Pollock.
Luciano played four games for the Giants, going 3-for-11 (.273) with a double and two runs scored. His power potential should make him an appealing option for the Giants down the stretch.
Isan Diaz and Casey Schmitt both remain on the Giants’ 26-man roster.
- All-Star Alex Cobb is starting against the Diamondbacks despite battling a stomach bug for the past few days. Manager Gabe Kapler said pregame that the starter was “still not feeling great,” which puts his work load in question.
The Giants will need as much length from Cobb as he can provide because they’re coming off three straight bullpen games, two of which went to 11 innings. Tyler Rogers and Camilo Doval have both pitched three straight games, and Taylor Rogers is likely unavailable as well.
Sean Hjelle is in San Francisco, but went uncalled upon.
- At his new locker in the Giants’ clubhouse, Pollock said that he feels like he’s talked with the Giants every free agency. He’s excited to join a team — and division — he’s very familiar with and play meaningful games.
The Giants believe Pollock has more left in the tank than his .173 batting average suggests. The outfielder had an inconsistent role in Seattle and said he feels great physically.