SF Giants lean on power-hitting position players on Day 2 of MLB draft

SF Giants lean on power-hitting position players on Day 2 of MLB draft

No. 208 - P Greg Farone

It was not until the seventh round that the Giants finally took a pitcher when they selected southaw Greg Farone out of the University of Alabama. Farone posted a 5.02 ERA with 68 strikeouts against 24 walks in 71.2 innings this past season. He pitched in the SEC, so the competition level is about as advanced as it gets in college.

On the mound, the 22-year-old features a low-to-mid 90's fastball that he mixes in with a curveball, slider, and a changeup. Farone has an easy, repeatable delivery and is able to fill up the strike zone with all four of his offerings. The slot value for this pick is $272,020.

No. 238 - P Niko Mazza

The Giants selected right-handed pitcher Niko Mazza in the eighth round out of the University of Southern Mississippi. He is coming off of a year in which he tallied a 3.99 ERA with 95 strikeouts and 36 walks in 90.1 innings. He did show a noticeable improvement in his control while maintaining a healthy strikeout rate this season.

On the mound, he has a fasball that sits in the low 90's fastball with movement through the zone. He pairs this with a cutter and a changeup. The slot value for this pick is $218,600.

N. 268 - SS Zane Zielinski

The Giants did not draft a middle infielder until the ninth round, selecting Zane Zielinski out of the University of Illinois - Chicago. He posted a .363/.449/.583 line with eight home runs and 42 RBI in 268 plate appearances. The right-handed bat does not hit for a lot of power, but he makes contact at a decent rate and may even sell out his swing for contact at times. His hit tool will need to carry him as a pro.

Given that he is listed as a shortstop, there is a good chance that he can stick in the middle of the diamond. The slot value for this pick is $194,020.

No. 298 - P Cade Vernon

The last pick of the day by the Giants was pitcher Cade Vernon out of Murray State University. The righty pitcher posted a 4.67 ERA with 85 strikeouts and only 18 walks in 90.2 innings.

Vernon relies heavily on a quality slider that he pairs with a low 90's fastball. He mixes in an occasional curveball and changeup as well. He commands all four of his pitches in the zone but does not miss a ton of bats. The slot value for this pick is $182,060.