SF Giants add a pair of pitching prospects on minor league deals out of independent ball

The SF Giants have added some pitching depth in the lower minors. Sam Knowlton has joined the club from the Atlantic League, and Nate Nabholz has joined the organization from the Frontier League, per the team's transaction log.

Both players have been assigned to the San Jose Giants. Independent ball has been a popular channel for players who want to continue their player careers.

Since baseball has reduced the draft from 50 rounds to 20 rounds and consolidated minor league affiliate structure, it has been harder for players to break into affiliated ball. That said, if they perform well in independent ball, they have a good chance of making the jump.

As long as the Giants continue to find players through these channels, they will continue to scout independent ball players. Spencer Bivens and Dayson Croes are some recent examples of that. Both are now with the Sacramento River Cats.

SF Giants add a hard-throwing reliever out of independent ball

Sam Knowlton has some experience in affiliated ball. He was a 12th-rouind pick by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 2023 draft out of the University of South Alabama. He spent three years in their system, reaching as high as High-A. In that time, he pitched to a 5.42 ERA, 1.82 WHIP, 10.6 K/9, and a 1.13 SO/W rate.

As the SO/W rate suggests, the right-handed pitcher is erratic with his command. He flashes a fastball that sits in the upper 90's with some carry. Knowlton can even reach triple digits with that pitch. Kowlton throws a slider as his secondary pitch. At 6-foot-8 and 255 pounds, he is also a big presence on the mound.

Knowlton was released by the Diamondbacks in May and caught on with the Lexington Legends of the Atlantic League. He posted a 3.68 ERA with nine strikeouts and four walks in 7.1 innings.

On the other hand, this will be Nate Nabholz's first stint in affiliated ball. He began his college career at East Carolina Universtiy, and was a college teammate to Carson Whisenhunt. He finished his collegiate career at Towson University.

The 25-year-old pitcher has spent the past two seasons with the Tri-City Valley Cats of the Frontier League. He recorded a 3.08 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 9.4 K.9, and a 4.33 SO/W rate while working exclusively out of the bullpen.

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