Former SF Giants top pitching prospect nearing return after lengthy rehab process

Former top SF Giants pitching prospect Seth Corry is taking the next step in a lengthy rehab process. The left-handed pitcher underwent shoulder surgery in May of 2022 and has been out ever since. He has been assigned to the San Jose Giants to continue his rehab process according to the team's transaction log.

Former SF Giants top pitching prospect nearing return after lengthy rehab process

The rehab process has actually already begun for Corry. He was assigned to the Arizona Complex League Giants Orange earlier in June and has recorded four scoreless outings. This includes 19 strikeouts against only six walks in 10.2 innings.

The results are not necessarily important for a rehab assignment. It is encouraging to see Corry back on the mound after being on the injured list for the past 12 months. Not that long ago, he was considered one of the better prospects in baseball, ranking as high as No. 99 according to MLB.Com prior to the 2020 season.

This ranking came on the heels of a dynamic 2019 campaign in which he posted a 1.76 ERA, 2,87 FIP, 1.06 WHIP, 12.6 K/9, and a 2.97 SO/W ratio in 27 Low-A appearances during his age-20 season. Things were trending way up for Corry and the improvements he made in terms of his control had many thinking that he would be a future rotation arm.

However, development is never linear and most of the last three years have been erased due to injury and circumstance. Of course, like so many minor leaguers, he lost a year of development due to the canceled 2020 season.

This was followed up by a mostly uninterrupted season where he struggled to the tune of a 5.99 ERA with 100 strikeouts against 63 walks in 67.2 frames for the Eugene Emeralds. Since then, he has made just six appearances.

When he was healthy and effective, Corry flashed one of the more intriguing curveball-changeup combinations according to Kevin Goldstein and Tess Taruskin of Fangraphs:

"Corry has one of the better curveballs around, as the low-80s pitch is a plus-plus banger with heavy two-plane action and late bite...He’ll flash a plus change that should play a bigger role in his mix if he continues to develop as a starter."

Goldstein and Taruskin question what role Corry might be able to fill with the probability that he will eventually land in the bullpen due to an inability to throw strikes. Given the missed time and lack of control, that might be the best next step for his development.

In the meantime, he will continue to rehab with the San Jose Giants. Once that is complete, he will report to High-A, and if he gets off to a nice start, he could move to Double-A in relatively short order. Whether he further develops or not, the Giants must be encouraged to see Corry back on the mound.