SF Giants top non-100 prospect is a 22-year-old outfielder

MLB Pipeline recently published its top 100 prospect list with Kyle Harrison and Marco Luciano appearing at No. 18 and No. 22, respectively, for the SF Giants. On Friday, they published the top non-100 prospect for each organization, picking outfielder Grant McCray for the Giants.

SF Giants top non-100 prospect is a 22-year-old outfielder

The top two prospects in the Giants organization is Harrison and Luciano. Some publications have Luciano ahead of Harrison, whereas others have Harrison in front. The No. 3 prospect is typically up for debate with names like Luis Matos, Mason Black, Casey Schmitt, and McCray in the mix.

Of the non-100 names mentioned, Schmitt is the closest to making a debut. However, McCray offers some of the highest upside of any prospect in the organization.

The Giants selected the left-handed bat in the third round of the 2019 draft out of Laekwood Ranch High School in Bradenton, Florida. He is the son of former major league outfielder Rodney McCray, who is perhaps best known for this play.

San Francisco signed Grant for $697,500 and he has emerged as the best giants prospect in that draft class. It took a while for him to see consistent playing time. Of course, he missed a year of development due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and appeared in only 45 games in 2021 due to injury.

The 2022 campaign was a modest breakout season for the outfield prospect. He began the year in Low-A where he slashed .291/.383/.525 (130 wRC+) with 21 home runs, 69 RBI, and 92 runs in 507 plate appearances before receiving a promotion to High-A.

McCray continued to produce as he posted an .810 OPS in 62 plate appearances for the Eugene Emeralds. He flashed impressive power in his first healthy season as a pro while registering an 11.8 percent walk rate against a 29.9 percent strikeout rate.

The high strikeout rate is something to monitor as he climbs the minor league ladder. MLB Pipeline was impressed with McCray in 2022:

"He hit .289/.383/.514 with 23 homers and 43 steals between Single-A and High-A, displaying solid power, well above-average speed and quality center-field defense."

The Giants have struggled to develop prospects over the past 15 years. However, that trend has been especially brutal for outfield prospects as Chili Davis remains the last All-Star the Giants have drafted (1977) to appear with the team. McCray had a solid season last year and is looking to build upon that in 2023.