Pair of young SF Giants prospects begin rehab assignment in Arizona Complex League

A pair of young SF Giants prospects are nearing a return to regular action. Both Wade Meckler and Landen Roupp have begun rehab assignments with the Arizona Complex League Giants according to the team's transaction log.

Pair of young SF Giants prospects begin rehab assignment in Arizona Complex League

Meckler was likely slated to begin the year in Triple-A after being optioned near the end of spring training. However, he never reported to Sacramento as he dealt with a wrist sprain. Meckler did start a rehab assignment in May but he was shut down after 14 games split between the ACL Giants and San Jose.

The lefty bat recorded one hit in four at-bats in his first game back. He made a meteoric rise through the farm system last year. Meckler began the season in High-A and appeared with San Francisco before the end of the season. Across three minor league affiliates, he slashed .371/.456/.510 with a 13.5 percent walk rate, 15.9 percent strikeout rate, and a .139 ISO. Meckler also swiped 13 bags in 17 opportunities as well.

As is often the case, minor league success did not immediately translate to major league production. Meckler struggled to a .578 OPS with a 39.1 percent strikeout rate in 64 plate appearances. Once he completes his rehab assignment, he will likely return to Sacramento.

On the other hand, Landen Roupp recorded a scoreless inning with three strikeouts in his first rehab appearance with the ACL Giants. In a mild surprise, he made the club out of spring training after he impressed the coaching staff during his bullpens and Cactus League outings.

The right-handed hurler came up as a starter, but worked out of the bullpen with the Giants. He yielded eight earned runs with 12 strikeouts and eight walks in 13.2 innings before being optioned to Sacramento.

In his brief time, Roupp flashed a power curveball with a sinker that had plenty of late, sinking action. However, he did not have a strong feel for his sinker with the Giants, leading to a high walk rate.

Roupp was beginning to get stretched back out as a starter with Sacramento before landing on the injured list.

The Giants rotation has some holes in it at the moment. They do expect Alex Cobb, Blake Snell, and Robbie Ray to return at some point soon. However, if Roupp gets ramped up quickly, there could be a few starts waiting for him in San Francisco.