MLB Pipeline's top 10 third base prospects for 2026 includes surprise SF Giants entrant

MLB Pipeline published its top 10 third base prospects for 2026. SF Giants corner infield prospect Parks Harber was a surprise entrant on the list, coming in at No. 10.

MLB Pipeline's top 10 third base prospects for 2026 includes surprise SF Giants entrant

That is a pretty nice recognition for a prospect who went undrafted not that long ago. Harber played his final college season at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Despite posting a 1.073 OPS with 20 home runs and 63 RBI, his name was not called during the 2024 draft.

Harber signed with the New York Yankees as an undrafted free agent. He has done nothing but hit in his brief career since becoming a pro.

The right-handed bat began last season in Low-A, which he quickly proved was too conservative of an assignment. He appeared in 34 games with the Yankees' High-A affiliate before landing on the injured list.

That turned out to be the end of his stint in the Yankees organization. The Giants acquired Harber in a five-player move that sent hard-throwing reliever Camilo Doval to New York.

The 24-year-old hitter went on a tear at the plate following the deal, slashing .333/.454/.644 (196 wRC+) with seven home runs, 24 RBI, and 20 runs in 108 plate appearances with the Eugene Emeralds. This includes a 14.8 percent walk rate, 20.4 percent strikeout rate, and an exceptionally high .310 ISO.

There is a good chance that Harber would have been promoted to Double-A by the end of the season, if he had not spent nearly two months on the injured list. The Giants rewaredd him with an invite to the Arizona Fall League, where he posted a 1.196 OPS with three home runs and 15 RBI in 76 plate appearances.

Jonathan Mayo of MLB Pipeline recognized the unlikely path Harber has taken thus far:

"Harber wasn’t even on San Francisco's Top 30 until October. But he opened eyes with a .970 OPS in A ball in 2025 and then led the Arizona Fall League with 12 extra-base hits to put himself on the radar."

Jonathan Mayo on Parks Harber

Harber will likely move up to Double-A to begin next season. That has proven to be a good litmus test for Giants prospects in the past. If he continues to excel in a tough hitter's league, he will be a Giants prospect to follow next season.