SF Giants minor league notes: Broedy Poppell's strong week, Dalton Wentz's first pro hit

Several players from the SF Giants 2026 draft class made their pro debut this week, including Dalton Wentz. The 16th-round pick was assigned to the Eugene Emeralds and recorded a hit in his first pro game.

SF Giants minor league notes: Broedy Poppell's strong week, Dalton Wentz's first pro hit

1. Broedy Poppell's strong week with San Jose

As of Sunday morning, the Giants have won all five games against the Lake Elsinore Storm. Broedy Poppell has played a big role in that.

While Josuar Gonzalez continues to steal the show atop the lineup for San Jose, Poppell had one of his best weeks yet as a pro. The switch-hitter has tallied nine hits, including four doubles and one home run, with nine RBI in 17 at-bats against the Storm.

The Giants drafted Poppell in the 13th round of last year's draft out of Florida A&M. In his first full season as a pro, he is slashing .242/.356/.416 (97 wRC+) with eight home runs, 38 RBI, and 49 runs in 261 plate appearances with San Jose. This includes a 12.3 percent walk rate, 28.7 percent strikeout rate, and .174 ISO. Plus, Poppell has swiped 13 bases in 13 chances.

Poppell's plate appearances often end in one of the three true outcomes. He will walk at a healthy rate, strike out often, and record plenty of extra-base hits. He is an extremely patient hitter, but his contact skills are a work in progress. Poppell grinds out at-bats and makes the pitcher work.

When the 2025 draftee does make contact, he displays a solid attack angle. He pulls the ball in the air nearly 20 percent of the time. While Poppell has not displayed huge exit velocity readings, he does a nice job of using the raw power he has. That may not lead to huge home run totals, but he will hit plenty of extra-base hits.

2. Dalton Wentz records his first hit as a pro

Within the past 10 days, several players from the 2026 draft class made their respective pro debuts. Tanner Mally led the way, and he has been on a tear with San Jose.

Peyton Bonds and Luke Nixon were also recently assigned to San Jose. Of course, Bonds is the nephew of Barry Bonds and the son of former pro outfielder Bobby Bonds Jr. On the other hand, Nixon is the son of former major league outfielder Trot Nixon. The elder Nixon appeared in 12 major league seasons, including 10 with the Boston Red Sox.

Earlier this week, Dalton Wentz began his pro career as well. He was assigned to the Eugene Emeralds. The assignment seems aggressive for a player making his pro debut, but that just might be where the biggest need is at the moment.

Wentz has tallied four hits in 14 at-bats with the Emeralds. This includes beginning his career with a modest three-game hitting streak. The Giants drafted the switch-hitter in the 16th round of this year's draft out of Wake Forest University. He was eligible to return to school, so he was considered a tough sign.

The Giants handed out a huge signing bonus to get Wentz to begin his pro career. He had a 1.043 OPS with 18 home runs and 52 RBI in 278 plate appearances in college this year.

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