San Francisco Giants: Grading the 2012 MLB draft class

In the days leading up to the 2019 MLB Draft, we’ll be taking a look back at every San Francisco Giants draft since 2000. Next up, the 2012 draft class.

The San Francisco Giants had the No. 20 pick in the 2012 draft after going 86-76 to finish second in the NL West during the previous season.

The team had 40 total selections and wound up signing 32 of the players that were picked.

The highest unsigned selection was Auburn outfielder Ryan Tella in the 11th round. He wound up never playing pro ball.

Of the 32 players that signed, only six ended up reaching the majors.

Here’s a closer look at a few notable selections:

First Pick: RHP Chris Stratton, Mississippi State—1st round, 20th overall

Chris Stratton went 11-2 with a 2.38 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 127 strikeouts in 109.2 innings during his junior season at Mississippi State, and he was the sixth college pitcher taken in the 2012 draft.

Despite middling numbers, he moved quickly through the minors, making his MLB debut on May 30, 2016. The following season he posted a 3.68 ERA in 10 starts and three relief appearances, which was enough to earn him a regular spot on the starting staff in 2018.

In 145 innings of work, he went 10-10 with a 5.09 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and a 112-to-54 strikeout-to-walk ratio. He tossed a two-hit shutout against the Colorado Rockies on Sept. 14.

His out-of-options status made him expendable this spring and he was traded to the Los Angeles Angels for lefty reliever Williams Jerez.

Passed On: RHP Marcus Stroman (22nd overall), RHP Jose Berrios (32nd overall), RHP Zach Eflin (33rd overall), OF Mitch Haniger (38th overall), 3B Joey Gallo (39th overall)

Best Pick: IF Matt Duffy, Cal State Long Beach—18th round, 568th overall

Matt Duffy earns the title of “Best Pick” and “Best Late-Round Pick: as an 18th-round selection.

After playing his way onto the postseason roster with a strong showing down the stretch in 2014, he fell into the starting third base job in 2015 after offseason addition Casey McGehee floundered.

Duffy wound up hitting .295/.334/.428 with 28 doubles, 12 home runs, 77 RBI and 12 steals en route to 4.7 WAR to finish second in NL Rookie of the Year voting.

His production dropped off during the 2016 season and he was eventually shipped to the Tampa Bay Rays at the trade deadline along with prospects Lucius Fox and Michael Santos in exchange for starter Matt Moore.

The 28-year-old has fought the injury bug ever since, playing in just 153 games since the trade, and he is currently sidelined with back and hamstring injuries.

Others Who Reached the Majors

• OF Mac Williamson—3rd round, 115th overall
• LHP Steven Okert—4th round, 148th overall
• LHP Ty Blach—5th round, 178th overall
• C Trevor Brown—10th round, 328th overall

The Mac Williamson era ended when he was designated for assignment last week. Lefties Steven Okert and Ty Blach are both currently pitching at Triple-A Sacramento and have seen significant action at the MLB level in the past.

Final Thoughts/Grade

What kind of grade does one stellar season of Matt Duffy warrant? That’s about all the Giants got out of the 2012 draft.

Grade: F

We’ll be running through every San Francisco Giants draft class since 2000 leading up to the 2019 MLB Draft on June 3rd, so be sure to check back here for more.