Middle infield prospect was preparing for Indy Ball before signing with SF Giants

Middle infield prospect Dayson Croes had a rapid ascent through the SF Giants minor league system in 2025. Before he joined the organization, he was preparing for his third year with the Winnipeg Goldeneyes of the American Association.

Middle infield prospect was preparing for Indy Ball before signing with SF Giants

Croes joined the D2 Baseball Podcast to discuss his unusual path to pro ball. In a clip posted by the D2 Baseball Podcast, he shares that he was getting ready for another year in the American Association when his manager called to let him know that he had been signed by the Giants.

Within minutes of that conversation, the Giants reached out to confirm the news. Croes was in Arizona 48 hours later to complete his physical and begin his career in affiliated ball.

The left-handed bat's college career came to a close with the Quincy Hawks after the 2022 season. In his final year, he slashed .343/.415/.540 with 10 home runs, 62 RBI, and 50 runs in 282 plate appearances. He also recorded more walks (26) than strikeouts (17).

Unfortunately, Croes' name was not called during that year's draft, so he began his pro career in the American Association. In two seasons with the Goldeneyes, he put up an .862 OPS with a 7.9 percent walk rate and a 9.0 percent strikeout rate.

Croes' time in Arizona was brief. He appeared in just nine games with the Arizona Complex League Giants before earning a promotion to Eugene. That turned out to be the first of several more promotions to come for Croes.

The Giants were relatively conservative with promotions this season, but were a little more aggressive with older players in the system. By the end of the year, the 26-year-old infielder made it to Triple-A. In his brief time with the Sacramento River Cats, he put up an .882 OPS with two walks and five strikeouts in 48 plate appearances.

Currently, Croes is playing with Caneros de Los Mochis of the Mexican Pacific Winter League. He is slashing .306/.382/.388 with one home run, four RBI, and seven runs in 58 plate appearances.

While there is not much power upside in Croes' bat, he does bring an elite trait to the table. He grinds out at-bats and has excellent bat-to-ball skills. These qualities likely appeal to a front office that sought out those traits in this year's draft. There is a chance that Croes begins next season with an invite to spring training. Even if that does not come, he has seemingly put himself on the Giants' radar.