2022 Pre-Season SF Giants Top Prospects: 10-6

2022 Pre-Season SF Giants Top Prospects: 10-6

9. Casey Schmitt

Position: 3B
Age: 22
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 215 lbs.
Projected Level: Eugene (High-A)
MLB ETA: 2024

Tool Grades: (Present/Future)

Hit 30/45 | Raw Power 50/50 | Game Power 30/45 | Speed 40/40 | Arm 60/60 | Field 60/70

PV 30 | FV 45

When San Francisco selected Schmitt in the second round of the 2020 MLB Draft, they had zero hesitation to shelve his pitching duties and made him play third base full time. He was placed conservatively in San Jose at the start of the season, where he had a terrific stretch offensively from June to August. He was poised to be promoted to Eugene at the season’s end, but his 2021 campaign was cut short when he got hit by a pitch.

Schmitt’s calling card is his defense at the hot corner and is considered being the best defender in the farm system. His smooth footwork, sound glovework, impressive agility and athleticism for his size, exceptional first step and reaction time, and a strong arm that can deliver mid-90s fastballs on the mound work in unison for Schmitt to do the fundamental and spectacular defensive plays at third base. If there is one thing that limits Schmitt defensively, it is his subpar range where he would be occasionally a step late on throws to first base against a fast runner.

The Giants coaching staff emphasized adding loft in Schmitt’s line-drive swing and even though he stumbled out of the gate, everything clicked for him once the calendar flipped to June. Even with the added loft, Schmitt was a tough guy to induce whiffs on as he has impressive bat-to-ball skills and a good feel for the strike zone. The added loft was an effort to make Schmitt hit the ball out of the yard more often, but his in-game power is still limited because he does not fully use his legs when he swings.

Even if Schmitt provides 0 WAR offensively, his defensive value is good enough to give him a high floor as an everyday regular. Therefore, he is ranked higher than where other evaluators have him. If his power comes around next season while continuing to post a low whiff rate, there is legitimate breakout potential incoming for Schmitt.