Former SF Giants top pick among pair of reinforcements heading to Triple-A

With the Double-A season concluding, the SF Giants sent reinforcements to the Triple-A roster. Former top pick Will Bednar and speedy outfielder Turner Hill have been promoted to the Sacramento River Cats, per the team's transaction log.

Former SF Giants top pick among pair of reinforcements heading to Triple-A

Bednar got off to a slow start with the Richmond Flying Squirrels, but found his stride after the first month of the season. Overall, he pitched to a 4.97 ERA with 84 strikeouts and 38 walks in 50.2 innings out of the bullpen.

Since June 1, he has recorded a 3.35 ERA with 63 strikeouts and 18 walks in 37.2 frames. As his numbers suggest, he tallies a lot of strikeouts and a lot of walks. The walks would be an issue as a starter, but relievers can get by with below-average command.

The right-handed hurler features a fastball-slider combination. He has a low-80's changeup, but does not throw it often. The four-seam fastball sits in the mid-to-high 90's that carries and rides up in the zone. It gets in on opposing hitters quickly. The slider sits in the low 80's, and gets both vertical and horizontal movement through the zone. On paper, Bednar has a plus pitch mix for a reliever, but that plays down due to below-average control.

The 25-year-old pitcher was in his second season with Richmond. Presumably, this promotion would represent a permanent graduation to Triple-A. He is eligible for the Rule 5 draft this offseason, so the Giants will need to decide whether to protect him from that by adding him to the 40-man roster.

On the other hand, Turner Hill is among the many Giants minor leaguers to make a name for himself after being signed as an undrafted free agent. Hill is very much a throwback hitter.

Similar to Bednar, Hill was in the midst of his second year with Richmond. He hit .256/.356/.357 (114 wRC+) with two home runs, 26 RBI, and 40 runs in 314 plate appearances. This includes an 11.5 percent walk rate, 10.2 percent strikeout rate, and .102 ISO. Hill also swiped 18 bags in 24 opportunities.

The left-handed bat has well-above-average contact skills, and that is a quality that the current front office appreciates. There is very little power upside in his bat, and he is likely maxed out in that department. He does a nice job of spraying line drives all over the field, and putting pressure on the defense with his speed.

Hill makes something happen every time he comes to the plate. He was one of the best hitters in Richmond's lineup this season, and the promotion is a nice reward for a solid season.

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