2 SF Giants pitching prospects selected to the AFL All-Star game

On Friday, the Arizona Fall League (AFL) announced its representatives for the annual AFL All-Star game. A pair of SF Giants pitching prospects in Spencer Bivens and Tyler Myrick were among the players who were selected.

2 SF Giants pitching prospects selected to the AFL All-Star game

The Giants sent a handful of top prospects like former top picks Carson Whisenhunt and Will Bednar as well as top outfield prospect Luis Matos. In the case of Bednar, he made a couple of appearances before being shut down with back tightness.

Whisenhunt got a late start to the AFL season as he was on the COVID list but dazzled in his lone appearance so far. On the other hand, Matos got off to a strong start but he has hit a rough patch recently. He is slashing .239/.278/.388 with two home runs, 12 RBI, and eight runs in 72 AFL plate appearances.

It is great that he is getting so many game repetitions but I wonder if the grind of the long season has taken a toll on his production. Matos just finished his age-20 season and remains one of the younger prospects in the AFL.

The All-Star selection is a cool honor for both Tyler Myrick and Spencer Bivens. Myrick was selected in the 14th round of the 2021 draft by the Giants out of Florida International University. The right-handed hurler posted a 3.38 ERA in 30 appearances for the San Jose Giants before receiving a late-season promotion to the Eugene Emeralds.

Myrick impressed in his brief stint in High-A as he allowed just one run on 10 strikeouts, six hits, and four walks in nine innings. His strong finish has carried over into the AFL season as he has tallied a 0.90 ERA, 0.60 WHIP, 8/1 K/9, and a 4.50 SO/W ratio in eight appearances out of the Scottsdale Scorpions bullpen.

Bivens was a surprise addition to the AFL roster as he was not originally announced by the Giants as a representative. The 28-year-old went undrafted and has spent the last several seasons in Independent Ball before signing a minor league pact with the Giants this past season.

Bivens posted a 3.95 ERA with 48 strikeouts against 22 walks in 43.1 frames across two minor league levels. He clearly impressed in his brief time with the organization and he has continued to open eyes in the AFL.

The righty has recorded a 0.96 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, 10.6 K/9, and a 2.75 SO/W ratio in six appearances for the Scorpions. Bivens has taken an unusual path into affiliated ball, so it is cool that he is getting a chance to appear in an All-Star game. The AFL All-Star game takes place on November 6, 2022.