SF Giants 2020 second-round pick promoted to Double-A

The SF Giants 2020 draft class is turning out to be an exciting class and that excitement continued on Tuesday. The Richmond Flying Squirrels Twitter account announced that former second-round pick Jimmy Glowenke has been promoted to Double-A.

SF Giants 2020 second-round pick promoted to Double-A

Glowenke is the last prospect from that draft class to reach Double-A, but he is not the only player from that draft to be on the move in 2023. Pitching prospect Nick Swiney and catcher Patrick Bailey began the year in Double-A. Swiney was promoted to Triple-A after a hot start, whereas Bailey has jumped two levels so far in 2023.

Plus, Casey Schmitt, who began the year in Triple-A, reached the majors earlier this month and he has been a spark plug for the Giants. He and Bailey have brought a lot of young excitement to an organization that is beginning to see the farm system produce for the first time in years.

We cannot forget that Kyle Harrison, who is the Giants' top pitching prospect, was also selected in the 2020 draft along with Bailey, Schmitt, Swiney, and Glowenke.

On a slightly unrelated note, it is interesting, and very difficult to quantify, just how much the pandemic-shortened college season in 2020 affected player development in the ensuing seasons. Bailey, Schmitt, and Glowenke were the only position players drafted that year by San Francisco and all got off to a slow start in their respective pro careers.

It is not uncommon for that to happen, but it is interesting that all three players did not excel right away in the lower minors like some college bats do. Injuries played a factor in the case of Bailey and Glowenke.

After posting a .713 OPS in 282 plate appearances for the Eugene Emeralds last year, Glowenke returned to High-A to start this year. The right-handed bat quickly proved that he was above the competition as he registered a .313/.414/.542 line with three home runs, 17 RBI, and 17 runs in 83 plate appearances. He recorded nearly as many walks (13) as strikeouts (15).

The 23-year-old did not display much power in college, but he has exceeded 10 home runs in each of the last two seasons. Glowenke has tinkered with his swing mechanics to generate more power by using an open stance and a more closed stance as a pro.

The open stance is the one where he has had success this year. And, he has a maximum-effort swing that he is able to control well enough to make consistent contact. However, he might be tapped out in terms of power from his 5-foot-10, 200-pound frame.

Glowenke has experience all around the field, appearing at second base, shortstop, and third base as a pro. He plays a capable shortstop and third base, but a lack of arm strength might keep him on the right side of the infield in Double-A.

For Glowenke, his hot start in High-A was rewarded with a quick promotion to the next level.