Everything SF Giants fans need to know about the High-A Eugene Emeralds

Everything SF Giants fans need to know about the High-A Eugene Emeralds

Position players (continued)

Andrew Kachel

Kachel provided a stable left-handed presence in the San Jose lineup last season. There are strikeout issues that were exacerbated when he was promoted to Eugene but there were also good moments with the bat. Expect more doubles than home runs though for a guy with an uphill swing path. He is not a liability on the bases and defense as a pretty versatile defender wherever the coaches slot him.

Zach Morgan

Morgan has turned himself into one of the more intriguing but very under-the-radar prospects in the Giants farm system. His best trait is his catch and throw skills where he can get off his crouch quickly and throw accurate balls to any base with enough pace. His overall receiving still needs a bit more work but he is a good athlete behind the dish. His bat is light with a solid feel for the strike zone and the barrel but with little pop in his swing.

Quinn McDaniel

McDaniel received an aggressive promotion to Eugene after a cup of coffee in San Jose that saw him hit for power, draw plenty of walks, but strike out a lot. The most certain thing though is that McDaniel does not get cheated as he he has a big leg kick similar to a Dustin Pedroia or a Mike Napoli and he also swings as hard as he can without compromising his balance or his vision. He can only play second base right now with his limited arm strength and decent range but he plays hard.

Tanner O'Tremba

O'Tremba was a solid contributor in the San Jose lineup last season in terms of extra-base hits and even in terms of base stealing. His broad but fully baked frame gives him a solid average or more raw power that he gets the most out of in his swing. He has a solid feel for the strike zone but has shown a tendency to chase. He extracts the most out of his solid speed with good base running instincts and that speed also translates to the outfield where he is a solid defender in both corner outfield spots.

Jack Payton (#37 prospect)

Payton is a strong athlete with good pull-side power. Most of his hits will be toward his pull side but he makes enough contact to make his pull-happy approach work. His defense is a work in progress with a solid arm and good athleticism to improve but with so many options behind the plate, he might be limited to 1B/DH. He has backup potential who could be a solid pro if he develops more power.

Onil Perez (#28 prospect)

Perez has the tools to become a second-division regular as a solid, all-around backstop. He's not an explosive athlete but he's smooth and has plenty of strength. He has a solid feel for the barrel and can translate his power to games due to his slight uphill in his swing. He's also a very good defender behind the dish with a strong arm, developing framing, and promising game-calling skills. He will be in for a timeshare with other catchers but he has the most promise among all low-level backstop prospects.

Alexander Suarez

Suarez is continuing to show that he is one of the toolsiest players in the organization but his progress so far has been slower than what the most hardcore of Giants prospects followers would expect. His power-speed combination is very tantalizing posting some of the best exit velocities in San Jose last season but has continued to struggle with his approach and his free-swinging tendencies. He does have a future as a defender with the speed and arm strength to play at center or at right field.

Diego Velasquez (#23 prospect)

Velasquez showed considerable improvement last season to think that he can be a potential big-leaguer, albeit in a utility role. He improved his strength to the point that his beautiful swing has translated to production on both sides of the batter's box. He is still clearly a hit-over-power hitter with a good approach at the box but he has the potential to hit 10 homers in a full-season. He is not a twitchy athlete but his improved physique showed up defensively with his ability to make spectacular plays in the middle infield though he is a second baseman long-term.

Justin Wishkoski

Wishkoski is one of the Giants' Day Three picks last year who is slightly turning some heads as a sneaky breakout pick. He does not have a standout tool but has a good feel for the strike zone and has made a lot of contact. He has yet to be challenged in terms of opponents so the Eugene assignment should be fascinating to watch. He has worked on both corner infield spots but has an average arm strength though it is accurate.