Former SF Giants pitching prospect is looking for a new start in Japan

Things have ben rather quiet for the SF Giants this offseason, so sometimes the most exciting news is when a former Giant signs with a new team. That is what Carson Ragsdale just did as he signed with the Hanshin Tigers, an NPB team from Japan.

The Giants entered 2025 with three young pitching prospects named Carson: Carson Whisenhunt, Carson Seymour, and Ragsdale. Only the dreamers dared to imagine a future in which all three would appear in a Giants game, perhaps even consecutively. It seemed too good to be true and Ragsdale ended up being the odd Carson out.

Former SF Giants pitcher Carson Ragsdale signs with NPB's Hanshin Tigers

Ragsdale never actually appeared in a game with the Giants, although he had a solid showing in spring training last season. San Francisco drafted him in the fourth round of the 2020 MLB Draft and he worked his way through the minor leagues, making it to Triple-A Sacramento in 2024 and 2025.

Unfortunately, his numbers were never that great in Triple-A. In 2024 he had a 5.03 ERA for the River Cats and in 2025 that ERA was even higher at 5.37 although he was pitching in the notoriously hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League.

It was not a huge shock when the Giants designated Ragsdale for assignment which led to him being scooped up by the Baltimore Orioles on a waiver claim.

He made just two appearances with the Orioles and struggled to the tune of eight earned runs allowed in five innings pitched. The Orioles eventually moved on from him which led to Ragsdale being scooped up by the Atlanta Braves before he was unceremoniously DFA'd to make room for Charlie Morton.

It's a shame he did not stick with the Giants. Had Sean Hjelle panned out as well it might have been fun to see two literal giants take the ball back-to-back in a game but that was not in the cards.

We'll see how Ragsdale fares in Japan. There have been plenty of examples of pitcher who go overseas to figure things out and then eventually get another chance in the big leagues. Look no further than Ryan Vogelsong.

We shall also see which Carson winds up lasting the longest in San Francisco. Whisenhunt and Seymour both showed some promise in 2025, but neither was consistent enough to trust fully going forward.

Maybe one of them can snag the fifth spot in the rotation or earn a spot in the bullpen for 2026. The Carson Wars are just beginning. Which Carson will be the last one left standing?