Instant grade and analysis of SF Giants trade that sends Robbie Ray to the Padres

The SF Giants reportedly have struck a trade that will send left-handed starter Robbie Ray to the San Diego Padres. This comes after rumors earlier in the day that San Diego had interest in Ray so it does not come as a huge shock especially since the Padres clearly needed a boost to the rotation.

The Giants had no reason to retain Ray since he is set to be a free agent following the season. They knew they had to get something for him even if it meant sending him to an NL West rival in the Padres.

In return, the Giants reportedly got pitcher Miguel Mendez and shortstop Joniel Hernandez, the No. 4 and No. 9 prospects in San Diego’s organization according to MLB Pipeline. Let’s break down the trade and give the Giants a grade for the return.

Grading SF Giants' return for Robbie Ray after he is traded to Padres

This is a very solid return considering what other pending free agent starters like Tarik Skubal, Kevin Gausman, and Freddy Peralta got in their trades. It is important to note though that the Padres have one of the worst farm systems in baseball so Mendez and Hernandez could easily be lower ranked in another team’s system.

Mendez is a 24-year-old pitcher in High-A. He’s got a solid fastball in the upper-90s and an intriguing slider. This year in the minors he has a 4.79 ERA in 12 starts and has 39 strikeouts and 17 walks in 35 and 2/3 innings pitched. Last year he had 118 strikeouts in 95 innings so he’s got legit strikeout stuff.

Adding him is in keeping with San Francisco’s plan to load up on pitching. They added Ramon Marquez in the Luis Arraez deal with the Phillies so they are continuing to load up on promising young arms.

Hernandez is a 17-year-old so he adds to San Francisco’s wealth of young teenage shortstops in the system. He’s hit .303/.424/.503 in the Dominican rookie league with for homers and 43 runs batted in. He also has 32 walks compared to 31 strikeouts which is impressive plate discipline from such a young player even if it's not against the toughest competition.

He’s so young that it’s tough to project how he will turn out down the road. It at least gives the Giants another promising young shortstop with a ton of upside.

Giants’ grade for the trade: B

This looks like a solid deal on paper for San Francisco. You never know how prospects will pan out but the Giants got two intriguing young players which is pretty much all you can ask for when trading a veteran on an expiring contract.

Now that Arraez and Ray are off the board, we will have to see if the Giants are done or if they will continue to sell. Heliot Ramos is another interesting trade chip so he could very well be the next to be dealt.

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