San Francisco Giants: 2019 MLB Draft Preview, Part 1

The Favorite: Bryson Stott, SS, UNLV

After some early variance, draft prognosticators at FanGraphs, Baseball America, and Perfect Game have all settled on UNLV shortstop Bryson Stott as their prediction for the Giants pick.

Stott fits the mold of someone the previous regime, led by John Barr, would have targeted. While he’s no longer steering the ship, Barr is still involved.

Stott has an athletic 6’3”, 200-pound frame that has a few scouts worried about his future at shortstop. However, most believe his plus arm and reliable glove will be enough to overcome any range limitations.

His hit tool has always been his best tool, and he has tried to tinker with his swing to tap into more raw power. He has shown increased over-the-fence production throughout his time at UNLV, and could develop 15-20 home run power at the MLB level.

Stott ranks in the top 10 on almost every big board out there, and Perfect Game has him as the fourth-best prospect in this year’s draft. With that being said, there’s a reason he may still be on the board when the Giants pick. Nothing blows you away with Stott, and teams picking high in the draft often value ceiling over floor.

Stott’s frame and left-handed swing have drawn comparisons to Brandon Crawford, who the Giants will need to replace soon. He’s not as good defensively, but he is a more developed hitter than Crawford was at the same point in his career. Stott is better at putting the ball in play and drawing walks.

No one ever thought of Brandon Crawford as the best player in baseball, and that’s what we like to dream about at this time of the year. Nonetheless, Crawford has been the second-best player taken in the 2008 Draft.

Stott could follow a similar path to a long, successful career just outside the spotlight of stardom.