SF Giants prospect Hunter Bishop suffers setback

One of the most exciting prospects in the SF Giants farm system will have to wait even longer to return to the field after reaggravating an injury in his left shoulder injury. According to a source, Hunter Bishop was on track to return to High-A Eugene last week before he reaggravated his shoulder during a rehab game in Arizona. It’s unclear whether he and the team have set a new timetable for his return.

SF Giants prospect Hunter Bishop has suffered a setback in his return from injury.

Bishop was ranked the sixth-best prospect in the organization heading into this season, but injuries have prevented him from showing off his full potential. Bishop received an invitation to big-league spring training this year, recording two hits, including a double and a walk in 10 plate appearances. Besides his play on the field, he received some high praise from the team’s coaches. Assigned to High-A to start the minor-league season, Bishop appeared in just three games before the original strain sidelined him. He was hitting .167/.333/.250 with a double in 15 plate appearances.

A San Mateo, California native, Bishop has a rare combination of power and athleticism. As a junior at Arizona State in 2019, he finished the season with a monstrous .347/.473/.765 line that included 22 home runs. The SF Giants were willing to gamble on his upside and selected him with the 10th overall pick in the draft.

Since beginning his professional career, Bishop has struggled to stay on the field consistently. A hamstring injury limited his pro debut in 2019 to just 32 games. Of course, the COVID-19 pandemic eliminated the minor league season in 2020, but Bishop was assigned to the organization’s alternate site in Sacramento. However, after contracting COVID-19, Bishop failed to test negative for over a month after he stopped showing symptoms, which limited his opportunities with the team.

Still, Bishop seemed to be one of the most newsworthy prospects in the organization this offseason. Bishop reportedly tore up the Arizona Instructional League and seemed headed towards a breakout 2021 season. While there’s plenty of time left to return to the field, the injury and setback are surely frustrating to the 22-year old outfielder.

Hunter Bishop remains one of the most tantalizing prospects in the SF Giants farm system. After re-aggravating his left shoulder strain during a rehab game last week, however, it will be some time before he returns to the field in an official game.