SF Giants 2024 draftee nearly hits for the cycle in pro debut with San Jose

A pair of SF Giants 2024 draftees in Jeremiah Jenkins and Zander Darby made their pro debuts with San Jose Giants on Saturday. Jenkins had a memorable introduction to pro ball as he felt a triple shy of hitting for the cycle in a 14-2 win over the Modesto Nuts.

SF Giants 2024 draftee nearly hits for the cycle in pro debut with San Jose

Jenkins and Darby joined another 2024 draftee, Robert Hipwell, on San Jose's roster. Of course, top pick James Tibbs III made his pro debut earlier in August, but was promoted to High-A after collecting 17 hits in 41 at-bats with San Jose.

Jenkins wasted no time in introducing himself to the California League as he homered in just his second pro at-bat:

Jenkins' pre-pitch set-up is a bit of a throwback with an upright stance and a lower hand placement. Despite this, there is very little wasted movement and he has surprisingly good contact skills. He is able to lift and pull a pitch on the inner half for a deep home run to right field.

In a way, his pre-pitch set-up reminds me longtime of major leaguer Juan Pierre. The big difference between the two is that Jenkins is a massive presence in the batter's box with a 6-foot-4, 240-pound frame.

The left-handed bat added a single and a double as well in five at-bats on Saturday. The Giants selected him in the 14th round out of the University of Maine. Jenkins was considered one of the better players in this year's draft class but slid due in part to the lack of a standout tool with the exception of his power. He agreed to a $150,000 signing bonus.

In three college seasons, Jenkins slashed .332/.454/.675 with a 14.1 percent walk rate, 15.8 percent strikeout rate, and .343 ISO while reaching the 20-homer threshold in each of the past two seasons. This includes a solid 2024 campaign where he posted a 1.213 OPS with 22 home runs and 50 RBI in 225 plate appearances.

Jenkins saw scant time in the outfield in college and during summer ball, but will likely be limited to first base or DH as a pro. Power and a surprisingly adequate hit tool will be his calling cards and what moves him through the minor league ranks.