San Francisco Giants: Top prospect update after one month

One month into the MiLB season, let's take a look at how things are shaking out down on the farm for the San Francisco Giants.

CINCINNATI, OH - JULY 12: San Francisco Giants pitcher Tyler Beede #11 of the U.S. Team throws a pitch against the World Team during the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game at the Great American Ball Park on July 12, 2015 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

The 2019 MiLB season is now one month old, so it's time to check in on the state of the San Francisco Giants farm system.

Extra attention will be paid to the team's up-and-coming prospects this year as the team embarks on what most expect to be a rebuilding season.

While there does not appear to be any immediate impact players on the cusp of reach the majors, aside from right-hander Tyler Beede who already received his first taste of MLB action last season, there are some promising young players who have a chance to be big pieces of the long-term puzzle.

Ahead we've taken a level-by-level look at the first month of the minor league seasons, complete with statistics for each of the team's top 30 prospects according to MLB.com. Of course, not every top prospect has started his season yet, as the rookie-level leagues have not yet begun.

We've also included a look at each MiLB team's standouts both offensively and on the mound, including some under-the-radar prospects to keep an eye on who didn't start the season on any top prospect lists.

Let's get started with the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats.

Triple-A Sacramento (13-12)

SAN DIEGO, CA - APRIL 15: Tyler Beede #38 of the San Francisco Giants pitches during the first inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres at PETCO Park on April 15, 2018 in San Diego, California. All players are wearing #42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images)

Top Prospects
4. SP Shaun Anderson—5 GS, 4.01 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 29 K, 24.2 IP
14. RP Ray Black—7 G, 6.43 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 7 K, 7.0 IP—INJURED
17. IF Abiatal Avelino—21 G, .226/.270/.369, 6 XBH (2 HR), 7 RBI, 12 R
21. C Aramis Garcia—18 G, .212/.329/.455, 8 XBH (4 HR), 14 RBI, 11 R
22. RP Sam Coonrod—11 G, 6.75 ERA, 2.16 WHIP, 15 K, 10.2 IP
23. SP Tyler Beede—5 GS, 1.99 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 34 K, 22.2 IP
30. RP Williams Jerez—11 G, 2.57 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, 13 K, 14.0 IP

Overview

The biggest story out of Triple-A has been the performance of 2014 first-round pick Tyler Beede, who has simplified his repertoire and carried over the success he enjoyed during spring training. It's only a matter of time before he gets another shot in the majors.

Outfielders Mike Gerber (1.062 OPS, 7 2B, 6 HR, 14 RBI) and Mac Williamson (1.121 OPS, 3 2B, 6 HR, 15 RBI) are both off to hot starts at the plate, and the same is true of third baseman Zach Green (1.003 OPS, 4 2B, 5 HR, 12 RBI).

Veteran relievers Fernando Abad (6 G, 3 SV, 1.04 ERA, 11.4 K/9) and Pat Venditte (9 G, 2.40 ERA, 10.8 K/9) are also off to nice starts, and might have already gotten a shot in the majors if not for the stellar health and performance of the bullpen thus far.

On the flip side, Andrew Suarez (5.89 ERA) and Steven Okert (4.97 ERA) have not pitched particularly well after entering the season as two of the better depth options on the roster.

Double-A Richmond (10-13)

SCOTTSDALE, AZ - FEBRUARY 20: Chris Shaw #79 of the San Francisco Giants poses on photo day during MLB Spring Training at Scottsdale Stadium on February 20, 2018 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

Top Prospects

5. SP Logan Webb—5 GS, 2.00 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 31 K, 27.0 IP—SUSPENDED
11. OF Chris Shaw—21 G, .250/.333/.500, 8 XBH (4 HR), 14 RBI, 9 R
13. OF Heath Quinn—22 G, .171/.241/.257, 4 XBH (1 HR), 4 RBI, 4 R
15. RP Melvin Adon—9 G, 2.19 ERA, 1.54 WHIP, 14 K, 12.1 IP
20. SP Garrett Williams—5 GS, 4.30 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 22 K, 23.0 IP
27. IF Ryan Howard—23 G, .211/.344/.303, 3 XBH (2 HR), 3 RBI, 11 R
28 2B Jalen Miller—23 G, .247/.330/.457, 7 XBH (5 HR), 9 RBI, 11 R

Overview

Right-hander Logan Webb was off to an excellent start and rapidly emerging as the top pitching prospect in the Giants system before he was slapped with an 80-game PED suspension earlier this week.

That hurts as much, if not more than the injuries to Joey Bart and Heliot Ramos.

Besides that, the biggest story here might be the solid walk rate that a lot of players are showing.

Dylan Davis (9 BB, 25.0 BB%), Jacob Heyward (11 BB, 22.9 BB%), Ryan Howard (15 BB, 16.5 BB%), Jalen Miller (10 BB, 11.4 BB%) and Chris Shaw (7 BB, 9.1 BB%) are all showing terrific plate discipline.

Corner infielder Jonah Arenado also looks like one to watch. The younger brother of Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado is hitting .333/.392/.486 with six extra-base hits in 79 plate appearances.

On the pitching side of things, left-hander Conner Menez is off to a nice start. A 14th-round pick in 2016, he's posted a 2.49 ERA and 1.07 WHIP with 31 strikeouts in 25.1 innings over five starts.

High-A San Jose (10-17)

SCOTTSDALE, AZ - FEBRUARY 21: Joey Bart #67 of the San Francisco Giants poses during the Giants Photo Day on February 21, 2019 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images)

Top Prospects

1. C Joey Bart—10 G, .270/.341/.541, 5 XBH (2 HR), 8 RBI, 7 R—INJURED
2. OF Heliot Ramos—19 G, .270/.422/.587, 10 XBH (5 HR), 11 RBI, 12 R—INJURED
24. SP Camilo Doval—10 G, 5.54 ERA, 1.62 WHIP, 19 K, 13.0 IP
26. SP Jose Marte—2 GS, 1.80 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 6 K, 5.0 IP—INJURED

Overview

Losing both Joey Bart (broken hand) and Heliot Ramos (knee sprain) for at least a month each is a tough blow for the Giants, especially considering both players were off to hot starts.

In fact, Ramos was looking like one of the most improved prospects in baseball, showing off his plus raw power while raising his walk rate from 6.5 to 16.9 percent.

Those two have been head and shoulder above the rest of the High-A roster offensively.

On the mound, relievers Frank Rubio and Raffi Vizcaino are both off to phenomenal starts.

A 29th-round pick in 2017 out of the University of Florida, Rubio has posted a 0.55 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and a 22-to-4 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 16.1 innings out of the San Jose bullpen.

Meanwhile, Vizcaino has a 1.88 ERA and 28 strikeouts in 14.1 innings. He worked as a starter at High-A last season and has seen his stuff play up while making the transition to the bullpen.

Single-A Augusta (13-11)

Top Prospects

6. SP Sean Hjelle—6 GS, 3.04 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 28 K, 26.2 IP
7. SP Jake Wong—5 GS, 2.78 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, 22 K, 22.2 IP
8. SP Gregory Santos—2 GS, 5.40 ERA, 1.65 WHIP, 6 K, 6.2 IP—INJURED
18. SP Blake Rivera—4 GS, 4.60 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, 19 K, 15.2 IP
19. 3B Jacob Gonzalez—23 G, .222/.370/.375, 8 XBH (1 HR), 11 RBI, 7 R
25. SP Seth Corry—5 GS, 1.83 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, 33 K, 19.2 IP

Overview

How about that Single-A starting rotation?

The Giants took Sean Hjelle (second round), Jake Wong (third round) and Blake Rivera (fourth round) early in last year's draft, and all three have looked sharp in the early going this season. Despite his higher ERA, Rivera leads the group with a .179 BAA.

Meanwhile, left-hander Seth Corry was a third-round pick in 2017 who was signed to an above-slot bonus of $1 million. While the 1.83 ERA and 33 strikeouts in 19.2 innings speak to his swing-and-miss stuff, he's also walked 15 batters and has a long way to go with his 40-grade command.

Offensively, infielder Shane Matheny is benefiting from a return trip to Single-A, hitting .256/.337/.476 with six doubles, four home runs and 19 RBI.

Jacob Gonzalez is hitting just .222 with one home run, but he's showing a vastly improved approach, raising his walk rate from 6.1 to 16.3 percent while recording more walks (15) than strikeouts (12).

If there's going to be a breakout prospect in 2019, he may very well come from this group.

The rest of the team's top prospects have yet to begin their 2019 campaigns, as Low-A Salem-Keizer and the rookie ball affiliates have yet to kick off their seasons.

The Giants may not have a top-tier farm system, but there is plenty of intriguing talent down on the farm as they build toward the future.