SF Giants pitching prospects week in review (8/1-8/21)

SF Giants Prospects Weekly Rundown: Low-A

Notable Performers

Kyle Harrison: 4 G, 4 GS, 14.1 IP, 12 H, 5 R (4 ER), 8 BB, 24 K, 2.51 ERA
Carson Ragsdale: 3 G, 3 GS, 1 W, 16.1 IP, 19 H, 10 R (10 ER), 5 BB, 23 K, 5.51 ERA
Prelander Berroa: 3 G, 3 GS, 1 W, 11.1 IP, 8 H, 9 R (7 ER), 9 BB, 17 K, 5.56 ERA
Randy Rodriguez: 5 G, 1 W, 12.2 IP, 7 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 20 K, 0.00 ERA

Based on his recent outings, it looks like the Giants are managing Kyle Harrison‘s pitch count as the season winds down having already thrown more than 1400 pitches this season. It did not fail for Harrison to deliver one of his most dominant outings of the season on August 10th where according to a source told Kyle felt he had the best feel of his slider all season. The slider was sharp, tighter, and nastier. I expect Harrison to be better than ever next season with a full off-season to hone in his newfound velocity and refined arsenal.

I am a little bit concerned about Carson Ragsdale‘s form recently as he has allowed a run in his last 11 starts with a 4.64 ERA. However, the peripherals have continued to be strong as he has an above-average 68% strike rate, 8.8% walk rate, and a 31.4% strikeout rate over that stretch. Like Harrison, Ragsdale has already thrown more than 1400 pitches in his first full season but unlike the 19-year old, the Giants brass are looking for Ragsdale to accumulate as many pitches as he can as he threw a career-high 95 pitches in his latest start against Rancho Cucamonga. Ragsdale still shapes up to be a potential top 30 prospect this season.

After pitching a dominant July, Prelander Berroa‘s August has taken stat-wise with a 5.56 ERA, below-average 57% strike rate, and an 18% walk rate. When watching his starts, however, his stats did not reflect the fact that he is actually making strides development-wise as he is now throwing his slider more as a chase pitch instead of a get-me-over pitch. The 21-year old is around 100 pitches behind both Harrison and Ragsdale in terms of workload so I expect the Giants to have a longer leash on Berroa’s pitch count as the season winds down.

One of the most underrated relievers in the farm system is Randy Rodriguez. The 21-year old right-hander is electric on the mound and has produced stellar results with a 2.33 ERA this season. The peripherals have been strong as well this season with an above-average 66% strike rate, a 35.5% strikeout rate, and a corresponding 36.8% whiff rate. The only blemish in his line is that he is not exactly lights out with a .213 opponent’s batting average and a below-average 11% walk rate. He is slightly similar to former San Jose reliever Ivan Armstrong in terms of stuff with a mid-90s fastball with good arm-side run and a sharp slider from a low 3/4 arm-slot. The difference is that Rodriguez’s body is better long-term. It would be interesting if he will be given the opportunity to pitch in high-leverage situations as the Giants look to secure a playoff spot.