2023 2nd-round pick headlines SF Giants Low-A roster for 2025

The San Jose Giants published their Opening Day roster this week. The group is very much on the younger side, headlined by SF Giants 2023 second-round pick Walker Martin.

2023 2nd-round pick headlines SF Giants Low-A roster for 2025

Martin made his pro debut last season, and there were some bumps along the way. The Giants knew that the infield prospect was relatively raw, as he dealt with a back injury during the high school season in 2023. Plus, he had not gotten a ton of exposure against more advanced competition as an amateur.

They are betting on his bat developing with the hopes that he can stay in the infield. For now, Martin will continue to see time at shortstop, but a move around the diamond is possible down the road.

The left-handed bat slashed .218/.391/.362 with a 19.5 percent walk rate, 41 percent strikeout rate, and .144 ISO in 312 plate appearances split across two levels. The walk rate was an encouraging sign, but due to being too passive. The strikeout rate is a number to monitor, but pitch recognition was an issue, as if often the case with young hitters. The good news is that Martin finished last season with San Jose, so he has some exposure in the California League already.

San Jose's roster will also feature some top picks in last year's class, including Dakota Jordan, Jakob Christian, and Robert Hipwell. Jordan was drafted in the fourth round. He had the tools to be a first-round pick, but slid due to signability and swing-and-miss concerns.

Christian registered an .875 OPS with one home run and five RBI in 37 plate appearances with San Jose last year. Hipwell posted a .762 OPS with five home runs and 21 RBI in 136 plate appearances. They are all college bats, so any one could move to Eugene quickly if they get on a hot streak.

There are some interesting names on the pitching side, too. Jacob Bresnahan got a nice shoutout in Baseball America on Wednesday. Gerelmi Maldonado is returning to San Jose after missing the 2024 season due to injury. He flashes a high 90's fastball with a quality slider.