SF Giants list of non-roster invitees includes a pair of top prospects

The SF Giants published its list of non-roster invitees on Tuesday and there is plenty of intrigue. They extended invites to 37 non-roster players including some of the organization's top prospects like Kyle Harrison and Casey Schmitt.

SF Giants list of non-roster invitees includes a pair of top prospects

Those 37 players will join the 40 players currently on the 40-man roster. Teams typically begin camp with 75 players, so there is plenty of room for the Giants to make a few more additions before then.

The Giants drafted Schmitt and Harrison in the second round and third round, respictively, of the 2020 draft. Harrison was a prep arm out of De La Salle High School, whereas Schmitt was a key player for San Diego State University. Barring injuries, both should appear for the Giants at some point in 2023.

The expectations for both are high, so there will be plenty of eyes on them in spring training. Harrison thrived last year, posting a 2.71 ERA with a 14.8 K/9 in 113 innings across two minor league affiliates. According to MLB Pipeline, he was voted as the best lefty prospect in baseball.

On the other hand, Schmitt moved quickly up the minor league ladder, beginning the season in High-A and finishing with a brief stint in Triple-A. In total, he slashed .295/.365/.489 with 21 home runs, 78 RBI, and 72 runs in 526 plate appearances in 2022. The 23-year-old has drawn rave reviews for his defense at third base, but the Giants will experiment with him at shortstop in camp.

Giants top executive Farhan Zaidi anticipates both Harrison and Schmitt beginning the year in Triple-A. At that point, they will be just a call away. Vaun Brown, Tyler Fitzgerald, Will Wilson, and R.J. Dabovich are a few other top prospects who will be in Giants camp as well.

The list of camp invites includes several veterans such as Stephen Piscotty, Sean Newcomb, and Joe Ross. Piscotty and Newcomb agreed to minor league deals recently, whereas Ross is expected to begin the year on the injured list after undergoing Tommy John surgery last year.

There will be some familiar faces as well like Ford Proctor, Donovan Walton, Bryce Johnson, and Austin Wynns. All four players were moved off of the 40-man roster this winter, but Proctor is a name to watch given that he hits from the left side and can play multiple positions including catcher. He has the type of offensive profile that the front office targets.

The list of non-roster invitees is just another small step toward spring training. Baseball is right around the corner, folks.