Top SF Giants outfield prospect begins rehab assignment

The SF Giants got some good news on one of their top outfield prospects on Monday. It was announced that Hunter Bishop was assigned to the Arizona Complex League (ACL) Giants Black to begin a rehab assignment.

Top SF Giants outfield prospect begins rehab assignment

The left-handed bat was drafted by San Francisco in the first round of the 2019 draft out of Arizona State University. Since then, he has been bitten by the injury bug early and often. His injury history includes a nagging shoulder ailment that has plagued him dating back to his college days as well as a hamstring injury.

The Giants did not announce what put Bishop on the shelf, but he was placed on the injured list on July 18. Bishop shared a clip on his Twitter account recently indicating that he was healthy and nearing a return:

There are typically lofty expectations that come with being a first-round pick and it is fair to say that Bishop has yet to meet those expectations. Part of that is a product of just not being able to stay on the field. He has only played 124 games in three minor league seasons since becoming a pro. He needs to find a way to stay on the field to realize his potential.

The good news is that the 2022 campaign is the healthiest he has been since 2019. The outfield prospect has appeared in 76 games with the Eugene Emeralds after only appearing in 16 total games last season.

When he has been healthy, the 24-year-old prospect has flashed the upside of an everyday player. In 319 plate appearances in High-A, Bishop has slashed .229/.319/.423 (110 wRC+) with 13 home runs, 38 RBI, and 46 runs. This includes a 9.1 percent walk rate against a 33.2 percent strikeout rate.

Bishop experienced a hot streak in June and it looked as if things were beginning to click before he hit the injured list.

The left-handed bat might be the modern-day prospect in that his plate appearances typically end in one of the three true outcomes. He has produced a walk, strikeout, or home run in 46.4 percent of his plate appearances this season. That is what to expect from Bishop in that his profile has a fair bit of swing-and-miss as well as a lot of power.

Bishop recorded two hitless at-bats for the ACL Giants Black on Monday. The results are not necessarily important, but rather it is important that he is back on the field. Hopefully, he can finish the season healthy and on a high note.