SF Giants MLB draft 2020: Ranking pitching prospects available at No. 13

SF Giants MLB Draft potential pick: LHP Garrett Crochet, Tennessee

In many ways, Garrett Crochet is the polar opposite of Reid Detmers.

Detmers has an extensive track record of success, whereas Crochet has only accumulated 13 career college starts. This includes a 4.64 ERA with 149 strikeouts across 132 frames.

On a similar note, Crochet possesses some of the best stuff with elite fastball velocity, whereas Detmers relies on a solid breaking pitch and intangibles to generate outs.

Drafting Croching will be more related to projectability and potential upside than his track record.

Despite this, there seems to be more than just smoke when it comes to the Giants and Crochet as Keith Law of The Athletic explains:

"“The two names that came up with the Giants were [Soderstrom] and Garrett Crochet from the University of Tennessee — college pitcher who throws extremely hard, maybe the hardest-throwing starter in the draft class”"

On the mound, the University of Tennessee product has a four-pitch mix including a power fastball, slider, changeup, and curveball.

The fastball velocity sits comfortably in the mid 90’s with the ability to top out at 99 MPH. Not that he needs any help, but Crochet’s arm action and release point actually help his fastball play up.

The video below is on the long side, but you see the ball effortlessly explode out of Crochet’s hand while mixing in a deceptive arm slot as well:

The slider is his current out pitch, but the changeup has the potential to become an above-average pitch as well. However, his curveball is rarely used and sits far behind his other offspeed pitches.

With a repertoire like this, why would Crochet even fall to the Giants at no. 13 overall?

Well, in addition to his limited track record, the left-handed hurler has battled shoulder fatigue and soreness for much of his collegiate career. Shoulder soreness is the type of injury that will scare off quite a few teams, so it is possible he sees his draft stock slip in the coming weeks.

If a team is willing to bet on Crochet’s health, then they may be getting a pitcher with some of the highest upside in the draft.

Ralph Lifshitz of Prospects Live recognizes some of the red flags while summarizing his Crochet’s scouting profile:

"“If he continues to show more confidence in his changeup and stays healthy Crochet has the makings of a stud. There is risk in the profile as a track record of injuries and a lack of sustained high level performance are definite red marks.”"

This type of makeup could see the southpaw become a mid-rotation arm. Of course, if injuries continue, then he may be forced to stay in the bullpen.

"SF Giants news: Keith Law names 2 possible draft picks for team"

Crochet comes with some definite risk, but the Giants might be willing to take a chance on it as they are thin on high-end pitching talent.