SF Giants 2023 2nd-round pick among trio of prospects to earn promotion

The SF Giants announced a trio of promotions earlier this week. 2023 second-round pick Joe Whitman and reliever Trent Harris were moved up to High-A, whereas Evan Gates was promoted to Triple-A according to a team announcement.

SF Giants 2023 2nd-round pick among trio of prospects to earn promotion

Whitman was drafted out of Kent State University where he posted a 3.44 ERA in 15 outings last year. Beginning the year in San Jose felt like a modest assignment for a college arm.

However, Low-A did challenge Whitman at first. He struggled to the tune of a 6.59 ERA in four starts in April. However, he has been much better since then, posting a 3.44 ERA with 35 strikeouts against 11 walks in 36.2 frames before his promotion.

On the mound, the 22-year-old hurler flashes a mid-90's fastball that gets some armside run that he pairs with a slider. The slider gets good, two-plane movement and he mixes in a hard changeup as well. Whitman demonstrated good command in college, but that has been a work in progress as a pro.

Whitman will be joined by Trent Harris. Harris is quietly becoming a pop-up prospect in the Giants system. He was originally signed as an undrafted free agent out of the University of North Carolina at Pembroke last season.

Harris has impressed in his brief career as a pro. This includes a strong 2024 campaign in which he recorded a 1.14 ERA with 44 strikeouts and 12 walks in 31.2 innings with San Jose. He deploys a mid-90's fastball with late movement and a big, 12-to-6 curveball that misses a lot of bats.

Lastly, Evan Gates moves up to Sacramento. Similar to Harris, Gates was signed as an undrafted free agent after the 2021 college season. He has put together quality numbers since then. Gates has a 2.83 ERA, 11.3 K/9, and a 2.87 SO/W rate in four minor league seasons. This includes a 1.27 ERA in 19 appearances with Richmond this season.

Gates throws a low 90's fastball that he mixes with a slider and a changeup. The slider is his best pitch but all three pitches play up because he maintains the same arm speed, so it is tough for opposing hitters to pick up. The Giants' bullpen could still use some help. Gates could become an option if he performs in Sacramento and now he is just one call away.