The last two Giants call-ups have been rousing successes. So, when is the next one?
That question reignited on Wednesday, after Michael Conforto sustained a heel injury that may or may not send him to the Injured List. If he’s unavailable, could we see the debut of top prospect Luis Matos, or is it more likely that Kyle Harrison is in Orange and Black before that.
Giants beat writer Susan Slusser joined Papa & Lund on Thursday to discuss, and said she believes Matos will be the next prospect we see.
“It’s going to depend on needs,” Slusser began. “You’ve mentioned Kyle Harrison, I’m with you I don’t think he’s quite ready, we’ll probably see him in the second half if there’s a need. Matos to me is kind of ringing all the same bells that Bailey did a few weeks ago.
“You kind of think, meh, he just got to Triple-A we’re not going to see him that soon, and they’re saying exactly the same things about Matos they were saying about Patrick Bailey about three weeks ago,” Slusser continued. “‘Well, yeah, but he’s only a phone call away and he sure is playing well and he’s really figured things out and he’s walking more than he’s striking out.’ To me that’s the key. The fact that he’s walking more than he’s striking out. He’s really brought that down and he’s hitting the ball hard. Obviously very good defensive player, speed, hits the ball to all fields, lots of extra base hits. They love what the young kids are bringing them.”
A call up of Matos would continue the Giants’ youth movement that has sparked their hot streak. Matos, a native of Venezuela, was ranked as high as the 30th best prospect in baseball this offseason by Baseball Prospectus. Matos has been raking at both Double-A and Triple-A this season, with a combined slash line of .316/.395/.452.
“Is there a point where maybe they could overdo it a little bit?” Slusser concluded. “If they have a need, I don’t see at this point why they wouldn’t [call players up]. It might be a little individual too. Some guys they think they want to bring them up and leave them here, and that’s not this possibility. Obviously Schmitt and Bailey are here to stay. Maybe they stay away from Matos but he is close, he is really close.”
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