Over the course of the Giants’ three World Series runs in the last decade, San Francisco’s title pursuits took on lives of their own, as season storylines were filled with suspense, intrigue and a flair for the dramatic.
No one quite knew how the 2010, 2012 and 2014 seasons would end up, but along the way, each version of the Giants’ roster was loaded with talented players enjoying career years, superstars in the midst of their prime and memorable performances that drew record numbers to AT&T Park.
In 2017, the Giants have eliminated the drama altogether, and not in a good way. San Francisco is headed for its first top five draft pick in a decade, and a slew of prospects –ready or not– will receive extended run at some point this season.
At some point, general manager Bobby Evans and manager Bruce Bochy will turn their eyes toward the future, and inevitably, you will too.
Which key prospects will make their Major League debuts in 2017? When should certain players expect a call-up? KNBR’s prospect primer is here to prepare you for every move.
Pitching Prospects
Tyler Beede: The No. 1 prospect in the Giants’ system, Beede will make his debut at some point during the 2017 season, but it might not come until September. The franchise’s first round pick in 2014 has struggled a bit in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League, compiling a 4.86 earned run average over 13 starts. Aside from a mild start to the season, Beede isn’t a member of the Giants’ 40-man roster, which means San Francisco will have to clear space to add him. Beede could be added if Johnny Cueto is traded, or he could be added right before teams are allowed to expand their rosters in September.
Kyle Crick: Crick was drafted as a starting pitching prospect back in 2011, but after posting a 5.04 ERA with AA Richmond last year, the Fort Worth, Texas native made a successful transition to the bullpen with AAA Sacramento this season. Crick is already a member of the 40-man roster, and in 29 relief appearances this season, he’s allowed just nine earned runs. Crick’s 39:13 strikeout to walk ratio is solid, and he should be the next true reliever in line for a call-up. If the Giants trade Mark Melancon or Hunter Strickland, Crick should be ready.
Joan Gregorio: The Dominican Republic native has been in the Giants’ system since 2010, but is still just 25 years old. Ranked as the Giants’ No. 8 overall prospect, Gregorio is a step closer than Beede to the Major Leagues, and was actually prepared for an emergency call-up over the weekend. After Giants’ lefty Matt Moore lasted just three innings at Coors Field on Thursday, Gregorio was scratched from his start at AAA Sacramento to preserve him in case San Francisco needed an extra arm. A member of the 40-man roster, Gregorio could be the next pitcher ushered to the Major League level, regardless of whether the Giants need a starter or reliever.
Chris Stratton: A first round pick of the Giants in the 2012 MLB Draft, Stratton was a collegiate prospect whose progress has taken a turn for the worst in 2017. After making his Major League debut with the Giants in 2016, Stratton had another stint with the big league club in April, but allowed five earned runs in 3 and 1/3 innings over two appearances. Stratton has yet to turn things around with AAA Sacramento, but because he’s a member of the 40-man roster, he could be in line for a September call-up.
Andrew Suarez: Venezuelan right-hander Albert Suarez is already a member of the Giants’ 40-man roster, but the franchise’s 2015 second round draft pick, lefty Andrew Suarez (no relation), could be the Suarez who makes a late push for a roster spot this summer. Andrew Suarez struggled in spring training, but regained his form with AA Richmond and last week, earned a promotion to AAA Sacramento when Dan Slania was sent down. Suarez is just two years removed from the college level, but the No. 10 prospect in the Giants system is throwing the ball well and helping his case for a September debut.
Hitting Prospects
Ryder Jones: Over the weekend, Bochy told a group of reporters in Colorado that Jones is solidifying his case for a Major League call-up. Jones’ cause is helped by his versatility –he can play third base, first base and in the outfield– and by his power bat, which is an asset the Giants’ big league club is sorely missing. Jones has 10 home runs, 30 RBIs and a .293 batting average for AAA Sacramento, and the former second round draft pick could be the next position player to receive a call-up. Jones isn’t a member of the 40-man roster, but if Aaron Hill, Gorkys Hernandez or Michael Morse are designated for assignment, you’ll want to know Jones’ name.
Christian Arroyo: There’s no question Arroyo will be back in the big leagues at some point in 2017, it’s just a matter of when. Arroyo’s progress at AAA Sacramento is stalled at the moment because he’s on the disabled list with a hand injury, but when he starts hitting again, the Giants will be eager to have their top hitting prospect back in the big leagues. If San Francisco deals starting third baseman Eduardo Nunez at the deadline, Arroyo could see extensive playing time during the second half, but if not, the Giants will find a way to make room for him once they’re satisfied with the adjustments he’s making at AAA.
Jae-Gyun Hwang: The 29-year-old third baseman isn’t exactly a “prospect” by definition, but he’s an everyday player in AAA who could find himself on the Giants’ roster in the immediate future. Hwang impressed everyone at spring training with his power bat, and though he hasn’t put up lofty numbers with the Sacramento River Cats, his .283 batting average and 17 doubles are the type of production San Francisco is missing. Hwang has an opt-out clause in his contract on July 1, so if the Giants want to see what they can get out of Hwang, it could be now or never. Of course, promoting Hwang will require a move on the 40-man roster, so if San Francisco doesn’t see him as part of the future, Hwang may wind up pursuing other options.
Chris Shaw: I watched Shaw play in the Cape Cod League two summers ago, and I’ll say this, the power is real. The questions with Shaw are whether he’ll be able to hit for average and be a competent defender at the big league level. For the first time in his professional career, Shaw has encountered some struggles at the plate, as he’s hitting just .253 and has struck out 23 times in 87 at-bats since being promoted to AAA Sacramento. Though he’s not a member of the 40-man roster yet, either, at the very least, Shaw should be in line for a September call-up just so Giants’ management has a gauge of how he handles Major League pitching and how he handles defensive assignments –whether they be in the outfield or at first base.
Steven Duggar: The No. 4 overall prospect in the Giants’ system, Duggar will have a tough time making it to the Major League level by September because he still hasn’t debuted in affiliated ball this year. Duggar suffered a hip flexor and hamstring injury in spring training that has sidelined him, but San Francisco is hoping he’ll collect at-bats in extended spring training and then report to AA Richmond. Like Shaw, Duggar was a 2015 draft pick, but he showed an advanced bat and impressive speed with A San Jose and AA Richmond last season that could put him on the fast track if he gets hot quickly. For a team with limited outfield range, Duggar could certainly help in the future.
