2022 Pre-Season SF Giants Prospects: 30-21

2022 Pre-Season SF Giants Prospects: 30-21

25. Carson Ragsdale

Position: RHP
Age: 23
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Height: 6'8"
Weight: 225 lbs.
Projected Level: Eugene (High-A)
MLB ETA: 2024

Tool Grades: (Present/Future)

FB 50/55 | CB 55/60 | SL 45/50 | CH 40/40 | CMD 30/45

PV 30 | FV 40

Originally drafted by the Phillies in the fourth round of the 2020 MLB Draft, San Francisco acquired Ragsdale via trade for Sam Coonrod a couple of months after. The Giants made a conservative mood of having Ragsdale pitch in Low-A San Jose to start the 2021 season. Even though Ragsdale was trending in the right direction, the Giants made Ragsdale finish the season in San Jose and was only second to Nationals’ prospect, Cade Cavalli on the minor league strikeout leaderboard.

The tall right-hander might be older than most prospects in Low-A this season but his mileage is very minimal after spending his first two years of college in the bullpen, undergoing Tommy John surgery in his junior year, and having his senior season halted by the pandemic. Pitching exclusively out of the stretch, Ragsdale has a four-pitch mix coming from a high-¾ arm slot. Ragsdale usually sits in the low-90s with his fastball but can reach up to 96 MPH with late tail and some sink. However, his metrics show that his vertical approach angle is only average, which is a disappointment given his height. His curveball is his best secondary pitch that starts as a conventional curveball grip, but he tucks his index finger in as he is driving to the plate. He does a good job of finishing hitters with the curveball down in the zone.

His other secondaries vary in terms of utilization and usage. His slider is his third-best pitch that splits the middle between his fastball and curveball with more vertical than horizontal break while his changeup is now a distant fourth pitch primarily thrown against lefties as he’s comfortable attacking both sides with his fastball-curveball-slider combination. Ragsdale is a strike-thrower, but he does not have a fine command of his pitches, struggle to finish at-bats at times, and his pitches catch a lot of the strike zone that results in good contact.

Ragsdale has a starter’s repertoire and frame but his stuff is better suited in the bullpen as a three-pitch reliever where his fastball could grade even when he throws it in the mid-90s. After a conservative approach this season, the leash should be taken off in 2022 as Ragsdale projects to move relatively quickly if the coaches ever deem his stuff is better off in the pen.