SF Giants hitting prospects week in review (6/26-7/2)

Make sure to revisit our weekly SF Giants prospect rundowns to keep up with each of their minor-league affiliates. If you do not feel well acclimated to the prospects throughout the farm system, you might want to revisit our prospect week articles that detailed the system from the top prospects to lower-level fringes. If you’re just interested in the biggest names, then the preseason SF Giants top 31 prospects list is the one-stop-shop for you.

SF Giants Prospects Weekly Rundown: Triple-A

Notable Performers

Joey Bart: 4 G, 11 AB, .364 AVG, 1.199 OPS, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 3 BB, 3 K
Jaylin Davis: 3 G, 12 AB, .500 AVG, 1.625 OPS, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 2 BB, 2 K
Braden Bishop: 5 G, 23 AB, .435 AVG, 1.370 OPS, 1 2B, 3 HR, 6 RBI, 3 BB, 4 K

It was another strong week offensively for Joey Bart. However, he was pulled out of Friday night’s game after getting hit in the foot by a pitch. Given Bart’s injury history, especially with hit by pitches, it’s an obvious reason for concern and it did look quite serious. Bart’s having a strong season and is seemingly on the cusp of returning to the big leagues but it’s fingers crossed all over the Giants fanbase that the 24-year old will not miss a significant amount of time.

Both Jaylin Davis and Thairo Estrada got called up in the middle of the week and are already making their mark on the big league squad. Jaylin is flashing the old magic that he’s had a couple of years ago with seven home runs in just 14 games at Triple-A. On the other hand, Thairo has been on fire throughout the 2021 season, batting .365 with seven home runs in 37 games.

After cooling down a bit a week ago, Braden Bishop is once again red hot for the River Cats. Bishop leads the team in batting average and is second in OBP among players with at least 20 games played for the squad. It was a bit surprising that Davis got the call to the big leagues first before Bishop, but given his profile as a defensive-minded, contact-oriented outfielder, Bishop’s offensive outburst is helping him make a case for another MLB opportunity.

SF Giants Prospects Weekly Rundown: High-A

Notable Performers

Armani Smith: 5 G, 17 AB, .353 AVG, 1.330 OPS, 1 2B, 3 HR, 9 RBI, 1 BB, 5 K, 2 SB
Ricardo Genoves: 5 G, 12 AB, .250 AVG, .833 OPS, 1 2B, 2 RBI, 5 BB, 3 K
Will Wilson: 6 G, 27 AB, .296 AVG, .914 OPS, 3 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 1 BB, 4 K

If there is one hitter who boosted his stock this season, it’s Armani Smith. His offensive numbers this season for both San Jose and Eugene have been identical, with a larger propensity to hit groundballs after his promotion. He’s always had the raw tools (plus-plus power, solid speed, above-average arm strength) but needed to produce in the Minors to validate his breakout season in his junior year of college. He’s proved this year that his tools are legit and has firmly entrenched his place among the top 30 prospects in the organization.

Another one who has boosted his stock big time this season is Ricardo Genoves who made his High-A debut this week. Even though the sample size is still small, he’s proven that he belongs in the level on both sides of the game, showing a strong eye at the plate, and has already thrown out a would-be base stealer with a sub-1.90 second pop time. He’s firmly anchored himself in the upper half of the top 30 prospects in the organization.

Rounding out the hitters this week is Will Wilson whose 10 home runs does not only lead the team but also is tied for the High-A West lead with three other prospects. Even though the exit velocities in his home runs are average at best, his ability to consistently make hard contact and maturity at the plate stand out more. Couple that with his above-average defense at shortstop this year and he’s definitely one of the top 10 prospects in the organization.

SF Giants Prospects Weekly Rundown: Low-A

Notable Performers

Marco Luciano: 6 G, 18 AB, .278 AVG, 1.480 OPS, 1 2B, 4 HR, 7 RBI, 5 BB, 8 K
Jairo Pomares: 5 G, 18 AB, .333 AVG, 1.095 OPS, 3 2B, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 3 BB, 6 K
Carter Williams: 3 G, 14 AB, .286 AVG, 1.048 OPS, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 1 BB, 2 K

The organization’s top prospect Marco Luciano accepted his 2021 Futures Game selection with a big week. With four dingers this week, he’s brought his season total to 13 which not only leads the Giants farm system but also the most in the Low-A level. He’s also got better as the season heats up with a .287/.398/.628 June. It’s safe to say that he is indeed one of the very best prospects in all of baseball.

Jairo Pomares continued his hot, power-hitting ways and has a nine-game hitting streak. With seven doubles and four home runs in 14 games this season, his .661 SLG is second in the entire Low-A level behind only Cardinals top prospect Jordan Walker among players with at least 13 games. The 20-year old has one of the best combinations of power and hitting ability in the entire farm system.

With several promotions from San Jose, Carter Williams got promoted to the team from Extended Spring Training a couple of weeks ago. In eight games so far this season, Williams is batting .306 with a .944 OPS and an eight-to-two strikeout to walk ratio. The 23-year old outfielder has good power and speed in his game and should put up strong numbers for the San Jose squad moving forward.

After leading the charge for most of June, the trio of Alexander Canario, Casey Schmitt, and Luis Toribio combined to hit .130 (7-54) this week with just one home run and a 16-to-two strikeout to walk ratio. The duo of Canario and Toribio in particular have strikeout rates higher than 25% this season. I expect the trio to be better offensively moving forward.

Stay tuned every weekend for a full rundown of the SF Giants hitting prospects on Saturday and pitching prospects on Sunday.