Giants: Baseball America identifies Trevor McDonald as 2019 draft sleeper

The San Francisco Giants spent big to sign Trevor McDonald during the 2019 MLB draft, and he’s already earning recognition as a prospect to watch.

It cost the San Francisco Giants the lofty sum of $797,500 to sign Trevor McDonald after he was selected in the 11th round of the 2019 MLB draft.

That could prove to be money well spent.

The 6’2″, 180-pound right-hander was essentially given second-round pick money, and he has the upside to quickly emerge as one of the top pitching prospects in the San Francisco farm system.

While he made just three appearances in rookie ball after signing, it was enough to make an impression. He was recently slotted at No. 2 on the best late-round sleepers from the 2019 draft class.

Carlos Collazo of Baseball America wrote:

“After gaining around 20 pounds during the offseason before his senior year, McDonald elevated his draft stock to the point that he ranked as the No. 151 prospect on the BA 500.

The Mississippi high school right-hander has a fastball that has touched 95 mph and also has the makings of a future plus curveball with depth and impressive top-to-bottom break that makes it look like a future swing-and-miss offering.

McDonald threw just four innings in the Rookie-level Arizona League this summer, but he struck out eight in that time. The Giants prioritized him as an early day three selection—the range where toolsy high school players get drafted in the current system.”

He won’t turn 19 until February, so he’s at least a handful of years away from making an impact at the MLB level.

However, all the pieces are there for him to develop into an impact contributor.

Ranking him as the No. 26 prospect in the farm system, MLB.com wrote:

“McDonald usually works at 91-93 mph with running life on his fastball, and he should add velocity and hold it deeper into games as he gets stronger. His second-best pitch is a low-80s slider that can be solid but needs more consistency, and he also has a curveball with good depth. He has the makings of a decent changeup with some sink, and it should improve as he employs it more often in pro ball.

Though McDonald’s arm action is a bit long, he repeats his delivery well and doesn’t have any problems throwing strikes. There are some concerns about his size, listed at what scouts believe is a generous 6-foot-2, and his lack of history against quality competition. But he’s also just beginning to realize his potential and has the ingredients for a solid four-pitch mix.”

He’ll likely be back at the rookie ball level to start the 2020 season, where he’ll be one to keep a close eye on as he begins to rise the ranks.

So remember the name, San Francisco Giants fans. Trevor McDonald.