Position-by-Position Breakdown of the SF Giants Instructional League Roster
SF Giants Instructional League Roster: Left-Handed Pitchers
Top 31 Prospects
Nick Swiney and Kyle Harrison were the only two pitchers in this year’s Giants draft class. They both already rank among the Giants best prospects. Seth Corry, of course, is clearly the team’s best pitching prospect now that Logan Webb has exhausted prospect eligibility.
Best Remaining Prospect
Esmerlin Vinicio was the gem of last year’s IFA class, ranking among the top 30 available prospects in almost every ranking. The southpaw is still just 17-years old and has yet to make his pro debut. His fastball is only in the mid-80s at last reports, but he already has an advanced feel for a changeup and curveball that both flash plus (although the changeup is further along). If he can develop velocity he could be a really good starter.
2019 Draft Prospects
Chris Wright was the team’s 12th round pick in 2019 out of Bryant. Wright played both ways at Bryant but was drafted as a pitcher. He wasn’t able to limit runs until his junior season but struck out at least 10 batters per nine innings every year of his college career. As a junior, that number jumped to 16.8 K/9.
2020 Draft Prospects
Haydn King signed with the Giants as an undrafted free agent. I profiled him soon after signing. While he doesn’t have premium velocity, he has a projectable frame with one of the most unique changeups in baseball.
Recent International Free Agent Signings
Juan Sanchez won’t be 20-years old until November and has already had success at the DSL and AZL. He’s still very raw and projectable, with a slight 6-2, 165 lbs frame. He has an upper 80s fastball and I’ve yet to find any evidence that he has an impressive secondary, but he throws strikes and has an advanced feel for pitching.
Others
Mac Marshall has been one of my prospect crushes for a long time. After the Astros failed to sign him to an overslot deal when they failed Brady Aiken on his physical, the Giants drafted Marshall the next year in the fourth round. Since underdeveloped control and injuries have constantly impeded his development.
He has plenty of prospect pedigree, but at 24 without much of any minor-league success, Marshall will need to reign in his walks to ever reach the upper minors.