SF Giants pitching prospects week in review (7/4-7/10)

SF Giants Prospects Weekly Rundown: Low-A

Notable Performers

Ryan Murphy: 1 G, 1 GS, 6 IP, 5 H, 3 R (2 ER), 1 BB, 11 K, 3.00 ERA
Prelander Berroa: 1 G, 1 GS, 7 IP, 4 H, 3 R (2 ER), 2 BB, 6 K, 2.57 ERA
Kyle Harrison: 1 G, 1 GS, 5 IP, 8 H, 5 R (4 ER), 2 BB, 9 K, 7.20 ERA

After a seven-inning one-hit performance last week that earned him the Low-A West Pitcher of the Week honors, Ryan Murphy‘s latest start was not too shabby either, pitching six innings of two-run ball. Over his last two starts this month, Murphy has an ERA of 1.38 and has struck out 23 of 47 batters faced resulting in a 45% CSW. After a rough June, Murphy’s back to being one of the most reliable starters in the San Jose squad.

Another one who is performing better recently is Prelander Berroa. Over his last three starts, Berroa has an ERA of 2.65 with 19 strikeouts in 17 innings pitched but the crucial things for him are that he only allowed six walks and threw 62% of his pitches for strikes. Berroa has the stamina to still throw high-90s fastball deep in his starts, flashes an above-average changeup, and a workable slider. His fastball can still play better if he lowers his arm slot to have a flatter approach angle. Regardless, he is flashing some dominant potential and making a case to see more prolonged opportunity to start.

On the other hand, Kyle Harrison is struggling over his last three starts with an ERA of 6.43. One notable difference from his previous starts is the drastic increase in his flyball rate, with a 56% rate over his last three starts compared to just 37% prior. The silver lining for Harrison is that he’s still striking out hitters at a very high rate, with 19 strikeouts in 14 innings and had 18 whiffs in his latest start tying a career-high.