3 prospects the SF Giants could add to 40-man roster in what could be light year for Rule 5 protection

Today is the deadline to protect eligible prospects from the Rule 5 draft by adding them to the 40-man roster. For the SF Giants, it could be a light year in terms of protecting players from the Rule 5 draft but there are a few who could be a fit.

3 prospects the SF Giants could add to 40-man roster in what could be light year for Rule 5 protection

As of Monday night, the Giants only had one opening on the 40-man roster. That could change before the deadline as there are a few soft spots that they could look to move whether it be by trade or placing on waivers.

That said, if the Giants were going to move someone off of the 40-man roster, they likely would have done so by now.

Nevertheless, they still have some decisions to make. Typically, teams only protect those prospects who are most at risk of being drafted away in the Rule 5 draft. Even though someone like Bryce Eldridge will likely be with the club in 2025, he is not eligible for the Rule 5 draft this winter, so he is not a candidate to be added at this point in time.

On the other hand, the Giants have some holdovers from previous years who could make sense. Cole Waites is more than a year removed from Tommy John surgery and would be eligible if not protected. Aeverson Arteaga missed much of the 2024 season after undergoing Thoracic Outlet Syndrome surgery but he was a potential addition last winter.

Arteaga appeared briefly in 2024, whereas Cole Waites missed the entire 2024 season following major elbow surgery. Given the lack of a recent track record, the Giants view them as unlikely candidates to be drafted away.

1. Pitcher Carson Seymour

The overall numbers may not show it but Carson Seymour had a nice year with the Sacramento River Cats in 2024. He pitched to a 4.82 ERA in 29 appearances but performed much better at home with a 3.92 ERA in 14 outings. Sutter Health Ballpark is one of the fairer ballparks in the Pacific Coast League.

Seymour posted an 8.8 K/9 and a 53.5 percent ground ball rate, so he has a couple of ways to get hitters out. He flashes a sinker and four-seam fastball that can reach as high as 97 MPH. The sinker induces weak contact, whereas the four-seamer is used to get more swinging strikes. He throws a gyro slider as his go-to secondary offering. If the Giants add one player, Seymour is a good bet to get the call.

2. Pitcher Carson Ragsdale

Carson Ragsdale missed much of the past couple of seasons due to injuries but he returned to form in 2024. With the River Cats, he registered a 5.03 ERA, 1.60 WHIP, 9.6 K/9, and a 2.19 SO/W rate in 13 appearances.

The righty pitcher has generally posted well above-average strikeout numbers but it comes with some command issues as well. The 6-foot-8 pitcher gets good extension from his release point, so his mid 90's fastball plays up and gets in on the opposing hitter quickly. He mixes in a nice, 11-to-5 curveball as well.

Ragsdale has generally worked out as a starter but a move to the bullpen feels like his long-term role. That could happen as soon as 2025. For a pitcher who has had no problem getting strikeouts, he could be a candidate to be selected in the Rule 5 draft by a team that sees his strikeout ability as a tool that can blossom into becoming a major league reliever.

3. Pitcher Juan Sánchez

It was a minor surprise that Juan Sánchez did not break camp with the Giants in 2024. They had a need for another lefty in the bullpen and Sánchez put together a strong Cactus League performance. His overall stat line looks solid as he tallied a 3.93 ERA in 34.1 innings but he had nearly as many strikeouts (35) as walks (28).

The 24-year-old pitcher throws a low 90's fastball but relies on a changeup to miss bats. His arm action is nearly identical with both pitches, so it is tough for opposing hitters to pick up. Sánchez finished the season on the injured list.