Make sure to revisit our weekly SF Giants prospect rundowns to keep up with each of the organization’s minor-league affiliates.
SF Giants hitting prospects rundown (5/8 - 5/14)
If you do not feel well acclimated to the prospects throughout the farm system, you might want to revisit this year's Prospect Week article (specifically the SF Giants 2022 prospects depth chart) or purchase the 2022 SF Giants Prospects Primer filled with scouting reports of 150 San Francisco Giants prospects from the best of the best to the unheard-of prospects. If you’re just interested in the biggest names, then the monthly updated 2022 Top 30 Prospects is just what you need.
River Cats Hitting Prospects
David Villar: 5 G, 20 PA, .471 AVG, 1.844 OPS, 2 2B, 4 HR, 10 RBI, 3 BB, 4 K
Kevin Padlo: 4 G, 18 PA, .375 AVG, 1.132 OPS, 2 2B, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 2 BB, 4 K, 1 SB
Heliot Ramos: 5 G, 19 PA, .105 AVG, .210 OPS, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 BB, 7 K,
David Villar is an unstoppable force. It is another one of those weeks once again for the third baseman and let's take a look at where Villar is in the PCL:
Batting average: ninth
OBP: fifth
SLG: first
OPS: first
Homers: first
Yeah. He is that kind of dude. The only way that could ever make us worry about Villar is the fear of him turning to Jaylin Davis when he gets to the big leagues and that could very well happen. But for now, let's enjoy the season that Villar is having because it is ridiculous.
It is another week of good stuff from Kevin Padlo as he continues to be a pretty solid addition for the Giants. Unlike Mike Ford who the Giants traded back to the Mariners, Padlo has looked good after a fresh start in the Giants organization early on with a 1.150 OPS for the River Cats squad. He's been called to action last week when the Giants needed bodies in the big league level but it looks like Padlo will be a mainstay in the River Cats lineup because of the return of several veterans to the big leagues. Both Padlo and Villar will likely struggle to find playing time but Farhan Zaidi once mentioned that they need to see a prospect dominate their level before calling them up and that's what both Villar and Padlo have to do in order to get the call.
That Zaidi quote of "dominating the level" refers to Heliot Ramos being sent back to Sacramento after he had a good first taste of the big league level this season. However, Ramos has done anything but dominate upon his return to the Triple-A level. In 23 games since his big league stint, Ramos has a .187 batting average, .515 OPS, and just one home run. He's doing well in terms of generating walks (11.4% in his return) but the strikeouts have crept up (23.8% strikeout rate in his return) and the power is basically non-existent so far. His .246 BABIP does not help, either but it shows that there is more to come for Ramos once he gets his groove back. My stance with Ramos has not changed much even after this rough patch but it will move if it extends up to the middle of June.