SF Giants move former 9th-round pick up to Double-A

Midseason promotions have slowed down recently, but the SF Giants announced one on Friday that was a bit overdue. 2018 ninth-round pick and pitching prospect Ben Madison was moved up to Double-A, per the team's transaction log.

SF Giants move former 9th-round pick up to Double-A

The right-handed hurler has been one of the better bullpen prospects in the system in 2023, so the promotion is a nice reward. Madison, who was born two days before the Brian Johnson Game in 1997, was drafted out of Central Baptist College in Conway, Arkansas.

Originally, Madison worked out of the rotation in the Arizona League back in 2018, but he has since shifted to the bullpen. And, despite being a college arm and having quality results as a pro, the 25-year-old has made a gradual climb up the minor-league ladder.

Madison did miss the entire 2021 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery and did not return to a pro mound until midway through last season. So, development has been slowed by both circumstance and injury.

Since returning, the righty has been fantastic. He posted a 3.33 ERA with 54 strikeouts against 17 walks in 34 frames for the San Jose Giants last season. While the results were solid, he was facing hitters below his competition level.

Madison was assigned to the Eugene Emeralds to begin the season and he has put together strong numbers, including a 3.05 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, 14.6 K/9, and a 3.10 SO/W ratio in 38.1 innings before his promotion. This includes six straight scoreless outings to end his Emeralds career. With the exception of a couple of rough outings earlier in the year, he has been consistently good.

On the mound, Madison features a good slider with a fastball that sits in the low-to-mid 90's. His control is below-average, but he throws enough strikes with the slider to still be effective and get plenty of swinging strikes.

Given his quality season so far, the bullpen prospect could be in demand at the trade deadline. He is eligible for the Rule 5 draft next winter, so if the Giants do not plan on adding him, that could make him expendable. Nevertheless, it has been an encouraging season so far for Madison.