SF Giants minor league notes: A Hayden Wynja sighting, Jose Astudillo's strikeout rate

The SF Giants Arizona Complex League (ACL) affiliate has some players working back from injury, including Christian Koss. However, they have another name making a return to the field.

SF Giants minor league notes: A Hayden Wynja sighting, Jose Astudillo's strikeout rate

1. A Hayden Wynja sighting

Hayden Wynja began a rehab assignment in the ACL over the weekend. It marked his first time being on a pro mound since 2024. The left-handed pitcher dealt with a couple of injuries last year. This includes a torn UCL.

Wynja joined the Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2022. He was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 30th round of the 2017 draft, but did not sign. Wynja put up some high strikeout totals in 2023. He punched out 115 batters in 97.1 frames while posting a 4.16 ERA across two levels. The Giants sent Wynja to the Arizona Fall League that season, where he tallied 16 strikeouts and nine walks in 10 innings for the Scottsdale Scorpions.

The southpaw pitcher returned to High-A for the 2024 season and recorded a 4.95 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, 9.4 K/9, and a 2.57 SO/W rate in 56.1 innings. He pitched a scoreless outing in his return to the mound over the weekend.

Wynja is a tall presence on the mound. He throws an over-the-top arm slot from a 6-foot-9 frame that allows him to easily get above-average extension. He flashes a low 90's fastball, but it does not get much carry or run through the zone. That said, the fastball does get in on hitters quickly, especially left-handed hitters. He also throws a slider that gets two-plane tilt, and a changeup that has been effective in the past.

Pitch efficiency will be the key for Wynja and will influence whether he remains as a starter or moves to the bullpen. He has a workable pitch mix, but the control is very much a work in progress.

2. Jose Astudillo's strikeout rate

Who has one of the lowest strikeout rates in minor league baseball? That would be Jose Astudillo of the San Jose Giants. He has a 4.9 percent strikeout rate, which is the second-best mark in minor league baseball, behind only Nick Madrigal with a 4.8 percent strikeout rate.

The Giants signed Astudillo during the 2021 international free agency period out of Venezuela. He has moved slowly through the system. This includes appearing in parts of five seasons in the Dominican Summer League.

Astudillo reached San Jose this year, and has been one of the club's more pleasant surprises. He has slashing .349/.397/.512 (127 wRC+) with four home runs, 23 RBI, and 27 runs in 143 plate appearances. This includes a two-game stint with the Sacramento River Cats.

The right-handed bat has tallied more walks (8) than strikeouts (7). That is a skill that the Giants' front office covets in a hitter. He has above-average contact skills and is an aggressive hitter, which typically leads to low walk rates. Astudillo's offensive profile leans hit-over-tool. He does not have much raw power, so his power upside is limited. Astudillo sprays line drives all over the field and has enough speed to steal a few bases.

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