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: Double-A

Notable Performers

Frankie Tostado: 6 G, 23 AB, .348 AVG, 1.130 OPS, 2 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 0 BB, 2 K
David Villar: 6 G, 19 AB, .211 AVG, .979 OPS, 2 2B, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 4 BB, 4 K
Heliot Ramos: 6 G, 20 AB, .100 AVG, .343 OPS, 1 3B, 0 RBI, 1 BB, 8 K

After two months of play, Frankie Tostado has emerged as the best hitter on the team after a hot June where he batted .303 with an OPS of .873. Over his last ten games heading into the weekend, he is hitting .375. Among all players with at least 30 games played this season for Richmond, the 23-year old first baseman leads the team in batting average, slugging percentage, and OPS, while ranking fifth in OBP.

With two more home runs this week, third baseman David Villar now has ten on the year, increasing his team lead. He is also tied for ninth in the Double-A Northeast League. He’s been a solid player for the Flying Squirrels this season and could see some time in Triple-A in the second half of the season.

To cap off the Double-A review, I would like to talk about Heliot Ramos. Even though Ramos is once again selected to the Futures Game this year, he’s had a June to forget. His triple slash of .155/.261/.268 are his worst in each category of any month of his professional career. He is also tied for the third-most strikeouts in the entire Double-A Northeast with 64 and has seen his batting average plummet to .226 for the season. The 21-year old needs to find his confidence back at the plate in the second half of the season.

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.