3 prospects who could help the SF Giants in 2023

3 prospects who could help the SF Giants in 2023

2. Starting pitcher Kyle Harrison

It might be a tie between pitching prospect Kyle Harrison and third base prospect Casey Schmitt in terms of who will debut first. However, Harrison gets the nod because the Giants are always in need of pitching, whereas an opportunity might need to open up for Schmitt to be considered.

Of course, if Schmitt gets off to a blistering start in Triple-A, he might force the issue similar to what David Villar did last year.

Harrison has quickly emerged as one of the top pitching prospects in baseball since being selected in the third round of the 2020 draft out of De La Salle High School in Concord, California. He slid in the draft due to signability concerns, but received a substantial $2.5 million signing bonus from San Francisco.

It is not hyperbole to say that the left-handed prospect is the best pitching prospect that the Giants have had since the late 2000's when they had both Zack Wheeler and Madison Bumgarner in the farm system.

The 21-year-old prospect was superb last year, posting a 1.55 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 18.3 K/9, and a 5.90 SO/W ratio in seven starts for the Eugene Emeralds before earning a promotion to the Richmond Flying Squirrels.

The left-handed hurler's run of dominance continued in the Eastern League as he tallied a 3.11 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 13.6 K/9, and a 3.26 SO/W ratio in 18 starts.

Unlike Marco Luciano, Harrison is not on the 40-man roster, so his performance will need to force the issue in 2023. However, if he continues on the trajectory he is on, it is only a matter of time before he is pitching at Oracle Park.

3 prospects who could help the SF Giants in 2023

3. Third baseman Casey Schmitt

Unlike Marco Luciano and Kyle Harrison, Casey Schmitt has played a handful of games in Triple-A. In terms of climbing up the minor league ladder, Schmitt is the furthest along. However, he might be the last of the three to debut next year.

Schmitt was selected in the second round of the 2020 draft out of San Diego State University. He served as both the team's third baseman and closer in college, but the Giants never put much thought into developing him as a reliever.

Between him and Harrison, the 2020 draft class could be one of the Giants' strongest classes in years.

Schmitt posted an .837 OPS with 17 home runs in 383 plate appearances for the Eugene Emeralds last year before receiving a promotion to Double-A. With the Richmond Flying Squirrels, the right-handed bat continued his torrid pace, posting an .895 OPS with three homers in 127 plate appearances.

The 23-year-old tallied five hits in 15 at-bats in a late-season promotion to Triple-A. He will likely begin the year with the Sacramento River Cats. Schmitt's value extends beyond his bat as he was named as a Minor League Gold Glove winner for third base.

The glove was originally considered his carrying tool, but his bat really showed improvement in 2022. Schmitt will be making a case for a promotion as soon as next season begins.