Hard-throwing SF Giants pitching prospect sets high expectations after promising AFL campaign

Hard-throwing SF Giants pitching prospect Spencer Miles just completed a successful stint in the Arizona Fall League (AFL), but he is now looking toward the future. He hopes to reach the majors, even as soon as next year, but for now, his focus is on staying healthy and remaining on the mound.

Hard-throwing SF Giants pitching prospect sets high expectations after promising AFL campaign

Miles was originally a fourth-round pick by the Giants out of the University of Missouri in 2022. Before the draft, he felt nervous about his first interactions with Giants personnel. It was a panel interview. That type of anxiety is normal for any person, especially a 21-year-old student athlete.

When Miles exited the interview, he received good feedback from his agency, the Ballengee Group. His name was not called on the first day of that draft, but early in the second day, he was phoned by his agent that the Giants were interested in picking him in the fourth round. Moments later, Miles' name was called, and his pro career had begun.

Since then, the right-handed hurler has thrown 23.1 innings as a pro. This includes a stint in the AFL, where he posted a 4.15 ERA with 12 strikeouts and one walk in 8.2 innings for the Scottsdale Scorpions. The results were promising, but equally encouraging was the absence of any setbacks.

Miles has dealt with a couple of major injuries in recent years. This included a back procedure that sidelined him for the entire 2023 season. In 2024, he suffered a flexor strain after only a handful of appearances. Initially, he went with a PRP injection for rehab, but eventually needed Tommy John surgery. That put him on the injured list for the entire 2025 season.

As the AFL season drew closer, Miles was throwing bullpens at full strength. When asked by the Giants about the chance to pitch this fall, he was eager to graduate from bullpen sessions to facing live competition again. "It was awesome to get back out there and compete," Miles said.

While Miles knew the AFL was a good chance to pitch against strong competition, he knew there was another goal as well. "Just doing everything to stay healthy and remain right there with my health," he said.

The focus now shifts toward the 2026 season. Miles is working on strength and conditioning. Since the AFL season just concluded, he has not yet begun a throwing program. That will come with time.

The 25-year-old pitcher has high expectations for next season and beyond. "I want to make the big leagues," Miles said. For now, his focus is on repetition and growth.

Miles has confidence in his stuff to get hitters out, but recognizes that the path to being a starter is often a more deliberate process. He throws a four-seam fastball and sinker, both of which sit comfortably in the mid-90's, but can reach as high as 99 MPH. He mixes in a low-90's cutter as well, along with a high-70's curveball and an occasional changeup.

The curveball is Miles' go-to secondary pitch. He has thrown a changeup in the past and wants to refine it to give him another offering with armside movement.

While the cutter has become a popular pitch around baseball in 2025, Miles added it to his pitch mix in 2023 after working with Giants pitching coordinators Matt Yourkin and Clay Rapada. He previously threw a slider, but scrapped that in favor of the cutter.

Miles models his pitching style after a pair of former Cy Young winners. "I like to say I move a little bit like Jacob deGrom," he stated. "I try to stay back and be really smooth and effortless with the ball, and really get it out there. I think my repertoire is more like Gerrit Cole's in the sense of the fastballs and then the curveball."

The righty pitcher is also excited about the Giants' hire of Tony Vitello. He has not crossed paths with Vitello personally, but he did pitch against the University of Tennessee during his collegiate career. From afar, he respects what Vitello brings to the table. "I just love the way he [Vitello] coaches, the way he carries himself," Miles Said. "He coaches with a passion that clearly the Tennessee players carry."

While Vitello and Miles do not have firsthand experience with each other, they both played at the University of Missouri. Vitello has close ties with another University of Missouri alum, Max Scherzer. Scherzer has been linked to the Giants this offseason, and Miles would be ecstatic if he landed with San Francisco. "I think it would be awesome!" he exclaimed. "I think that would be one of the coolest things ever."