Examining how the SF Giants actually got really good value in 2024 MLB Draft

Examining how the SF Giants actually got really good value in 2024 MLB Draft

Greg Farone

Note: Farone asigned with the Giants for $204,150.

In the seventh round, the Giants selected the tall lefty from the University of Alabama. As a college senior, he should sign for below slot which will help in signing Dakota Jordan and other prospects on the third day of the draft. Farone is quite a journeyman in his four-year college career. Originally from New York, he initially went to Herkimer County Community College before heading to Louisville in his junior season and finished his college career with the Crimson Tide.

When drafting a prospect, one does not just look at the numbers. Sure, the numbers do matter, especially up top. But in the middle to late rounds, stats essentially do not matter much as the raw tools and coachability take more preference. Farone's numbers with both Louisville and Alabama would not have anyone pound the table for him, but the raw tools are there.

Of course, I am not the best guy to ask about the MLB draft, let alone the 2024 Giants draft class. To help me cover the lower-round selection, I elicited the help of senior draft evaluator at Prospects Live and a friend of the site, Brian Recca.

According to Brian, he expects Farone to be thrust in the rotation right away as his big six-foot, six inches frame, and 240-pound weight should help him with the rigors of pro ball. He enjoyed an uptick with the Tide from averaging 89-91 to 90-93 mph with his heater that tops out at 95 mph. He has good extension on the mound as well as a high release point, giving his fastball above-average life up in the zone. His mid-80s slider behaves like a cutter at times but commands it well like his fastball. He also has a curveball and a changeup that look fringy for the most part but are quite usable. There are good strike-throwing traits with how easily he throws the baseball but he currently lacks a true strikeout pitch.

Round 8: Niko Mazza

Note: Mazza signed with the Giants for $202,500.

The Giants selected the Southern Mississippi right-handed pitcher with their eighth-round pick. He ultimately went unranked in a lot of publications though Prospects Live does like him with him ranked inside the top 250, which considering where the Giants selected him, is right on the money in terms of value.

Mazza does not have a lot of info though Brian likes the growth that Mazza enjoyed this season. He is 5'11", and that sub-six-foot height helps give his fastball a low release point even though he throws from an over-the-top slot. He sits 92-95 mph with his heater, touching 96 mph at best, but with just average movement. If the Giants pitching lab can tweak the heater and perhaps add more life, it might become an above-average pitch. His secondaries flashed swing-and-miss potential according to Brian, with the mid-80s cutter being the best. He also has a low-80s sweeper that he throws against righties as a chase pitch and the mid-80s changeup is thrown against lefties.

One knock against Mazza is his age, he is already 22 years old as a college junior. However, the improvement in the control of his repertoire this season has been promising, according to Brian. There should be a world where Mazza progresses as a starter in pro ball with the depth of his repertoire and who knows, maybe an improvement in a couple of pitches to make him a truly noteworthy prospect.

Round 9: Zane Zielinski

Note: Zielinski signed with the Giants for $17,500.

The Giants drafted the shortstop out of University of Illinois at Chicago with their ninth-round selection. Zielinski hails from the same university as last year's ninth-rounder Charlie Szykowny. As a matter of fact, Charlie looks elated with the selection. It seems like the Giants have already built a UIC pipeline of sorts, something that can't be done without good ol' scouting.

Zielinski is a soon-to-be 23-year-old but has shown improvement in his game this season. It looked like he experienced an uptick in his overall strength as his exit velocities improved this season according to Brian and in turn, an uptick in home runs. He has shown more intent to his swing though he still has a wiry frame and likely not expect much in terms of the power department. He seems pretty slick in the dirt but his throws look like does not have much carry based on videos. There is a chance that he is more of a second baseman as opposed to a true shortstop in pro ball.

Round 10: Cade Vernon

Note: Vernon signed with the Giants for $17,500.

With their final pick on the second day, the Giants drafted the Murray State right-handed pitcher. The Giants typically hedge a couple of seniors with their final picks on the second day of the draft to save bonus pool money. Again, the value lies in what the Giants could do with the money. However, banking on a pitcher to make this kind of thing work is certainly the way to go.

There is very little information about Vernon so what to make of him for now is based on the written reports. He seems to be a strike-thrower, akin to Giants pitching prospect Wil Jensen. Nothing special but gets the job done. His low-90s fastball has bad shape though he can spin a low-80s slider and a high-70s curveball quite well. I can't wait to catch his footage in the backfields.