2022 Pre-Season SF Giants Prospects: 30-21

2022 Pre-Season SF Giants Prospects: 30-21

30. Grant McCray

Position: OF
Age: 21
Bats: Left
Throws: Right
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 170 lbs.
Projected Level: San Jose (Low-A)
MLB ETA: 2025

Tool Grades: (Present/Future)

Hit 30/45 | Raw Power 50/55 | Game Power 30/45 | Speed 60/60 | Arm 50/55 | Field 45/55

PV 30 | FV 40

San Francisco drafted McCray in the third round of the 2019 MLB Draft as one of the many over slot Day 2 prep selections that the club did. After a strong Arizona League stint in 2019, it would have made sense if McCray would start his 2021 season in San Jose. However, an undisclosed injury scratched those plans, and he started his season in the Arizona backfields. He proved that he’s too advanced for the level and it prompted the Giants to promote him to San Jose, where he held his own offensively.

McCray underwent massive strides in terms of his physique and his swing. McCray was rail-thin when he was playing a couple of years ago in Arizona. This year, he’s looked thicker, but his weight gain was well-distributed. His swing also went through a drastic change as he is currently using an open stance compared to the even stance a couple of years ago, his hands were positioned lower towards the letters, he is using his back leg better, and he is swinging with more authority with a top-hand swing. The result is a more uphill swing that takes advantage of McCray’s quick and strong wrists that can hit balls up to the mid-110s.

Even though McCray improved his strength, it did not come with a loss of speed, as he still has a plus range in the outfield and on the bases. He has also improved his base-stealing technique and is still a solid at-worst defender in center. McCray can still bulk up a bit, but his prevailing issue is now tied to his over-aggression at the plate that needs to be toned down.

The lanky outfielder is proving to be the best out of the over slot 2019 prep class with a chance to be a second-division regular at the very least. Once he tones down his aggression at the plate and starts laying off the pitches that he cannot drive, McCray has everyday potential and has a higher chance than most because of his great makeup.