San Francisco Giants Prospect Rankings: Top 5 Right-Handed Pitchers

With the 2019 MLB draft now in the rearview and a fresh collection of talent set to join the farm system ranks, we’ll take a position-by-position look at the top prospects at each position for the San Francisco Giants. Up next, the right-handed pitching prospects.

As the San Francisco Giants get set to embark on a full-scale rebuild, more attention than ever will be paid to the current state of the farm system.

With the MLB draft now concluded and two months of the 2019 season in the books, now seems like as good a time as any for an updated look at the farm system.

Rather than simply providing a cumulative ranking of the team’s top prospects, we’re going to go position-by-position to see how the team is lined up for the future.

Up next is the right-handed pitchers:

1. Shaun Anderson, MLB (24 years old)

Anderson has impressed since making his MLB debut on May 15.

Over seven starts, he’s gone 2-2 with a 4.08 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 24 strikeouts in 39.2 innings, tallying three quality starts along the way.

He has a 3.65 ERA and a .244 opponents’ batting average in his last four starts, and it looks like he’s up for good as the Giants continue to look toward the future.

His ultimate ceiling might be more as a No. 3/4 starter type on a contending team than a frontline starter, but he is already making the Giants look like winners in the deadline deal where he was acquired from the Boston Red Sox in exchange for Eduardo Nunez.

2. Sean Hjelle, High-A (22 years old)

The Giants selected the towering 6’11” Hjelle with the No. 45 overall pick in the 2018 draft out of the University of Kentucky.

He was hit hard in his pro debut last year, but he’s been lights out this spring, earning an early promotion from Single-A to High-A as a result.

All told, he’s posted a 2.58 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and a 67-to-15 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 69.2 innings spanning 14 starts.

MLB.com wrote: “Hjelle doesn’t fit the prototype of a tall pitcher because his polish stands out much more than his power. His fastball sits at 91-94 mph and peaks at 96, with the unusual angle he creates with his extra-large frame more notable than his velocity. He has outstanding body control for someone his size, allowing him to repeat his delivery with ease and throw strikes with all of his offerings.”

His ultimate ceiling might be in the middle of the rotation, but he has shown this season that there is a chance for a bit more.

3. Logan Webb, Double-A (22 years old)

Webb was well on his way to soaring up the prospect rankings before he was slapped with an 80-game PED suspension.

In five starts at Double-A prior to the suspension, he posted a 2.00 ERA and 1.15 WHIP with 31 strikeouts in 27 innings, flashing an overpowering fastball-slider pairing.

The development of his changeup will determine whether he sticks as a starter long-term, and he has a chance to be a late-inning force if he does wind up in the bullpen.

4. Gregory Santos, Single-A (19 years old)

The other player acquired along with Shaun Anderson in the Eduardo Nunez deal, Santos might have the highest ceiling of any pitching prospect in the San Francisco Giants system.

The 19-year-old has a big fastball that already touches 98 mph and he pairs it with a slider that flashes plus.

He’s still raw, with work to do on both his command and his changeup as a viable third offering, but the tools are there for him to develop into an elite pitching prospect.

5. Blake Rivera, Single-A (21 years old)

For more on Blake Rivera, check out this article.

A fourth-round pick in last year’s draft, Rivera has a 3.25 ERA with 70 strikeouts in 55.1 innings at Single-A. He has also walked 30 batters, though, and refining his command will be the key to unlocking his considerable upside.

Others of Note: Tyler Beede (MLB), Ray Black (Triple-A), Melvin Adon (Double-A), Sam Wolff (Double-A), Raffi Vizcaino (Double-A), Frank Rubio (Double-A), Jake Wong (High-A), Jose Marte (High-A), Matt Frisbee (High-A), Camilo Doval (High-A)

The San Francisco Giants have welcomed Shaun Anderson and Tyler Beede into the MLB rotation this season, and there is plenty more pitching talent on the way.