SF Giants power-hitting prospect discusses home run surge in 2025

SF Giants power-hitting prospect Charlie Szykowny was third among Giants minor leaguers with 21 home runs in 2025. He sat down with Around the Foghorn to discuss the changes that led to the power surge.

SF Giants power-hitting prospect discusses home run surge in 2025

The Giants drafted Szykowny in the ninth round of the 2023 draft out of the University of Illinois at Chicago. He was with his friends and family when he was announced as the Giants' selection. They were following the draft on The MLB Network.

Szykowny was playing golf with his wife when he found out that his college teammate, Zane Zielinski, was also drafted by the Giants in the same round one year later. Szykowny was excited to reunite with Zielinski on the baseball field after being college teammates in 2023.

Szykowny and Zielinski, both of whom are represented by NPG Sports, shared the field with the Eugene Emeralds this past season. This was a strong season for Eugene, as they posted an 81-51 record, but fell just shy of the Northwest League Title.

They had plenty of good hitters, including Bo Davison, Drew Cavanaugh, Scott Bandura, Parks Harber, and Nate Furman. Szykowny was a steady and powerful presence in that lineup as well. He slashed .276/.339/.478 (120 wRC+) with 21 home runs, 85 RBI, and 74 runs in 549 plate appearances. This includes a 5.3 percent walk rate, 18.3 percent strikeout rate, and a .202 ISO.

The left-handed hitter tallied six home runs in 2024 and saw a notable spike to 21 home runs this past season. He hit for power in college, launching 16 home runs in 2023. Szykowny credits his success to making offseason adjustments, "The whole goal of the offseason was to start hitting the ball in the air more and that was what I was working on the most, especially after having I would say a down year in power because I was hitting homers in college and that's what I need to do to get to the big leagues."

Szykowny has generally had a pull-heavy swing since becoming a pro, but there was a notable shift in his batted ball data in 2025. He recorded a 42.3 percent fly ball rate this year, up from a 35.7 percent rate in 2024. The results quickly followed.

Interestingly, the 6-foot-4, 225-pound hitter displays a swing that can lift and pull the ball with regularity, without seeing a spike in strikeouts. That is the tradeoff some hitters make when they try to maximize their power, but that has not been an issue with Szykowny.

It was not just a change in swing mechanics that led to a power surge for Szykowny, but a focus on his approach at the plate, too. "The goal is to swing at better pitches," Szykowny said. "I thought I was doing more of that in the offseason, and that progressed in the spring and in the season. And just being more consistent with my swing and my approach."

At the end of the year, Szykowny met with the Giants' strength and conditioning staff to work out an offseason routine. This plan includes lifting weights, conditioning, throwing several times a week, and regularly working in the cage. He and Zane Zielinski have been following this regimen at their alma mater.

When the Giants hired Tony Vitello as their next manager, Szykowny heard from several players in the Giants organization who played under Vitello at the University of Tennessee. They referred to him as "electric" and a "personable coach." That added to the excitement of the hire.

Szykowny likely graduated from High-A in 2025. His next challenge should be in the Eastern League in the spring.