SF Giants sketch out defensive plan for 2025 1st-round pick

The SF Giants drafted middle infielder Gavin Kilen out of the University of Tennessee on Sunday. He was announced as a shortstop, and the club's initial plans are to keep him at that position.

SF Giants sketch out defensive plan for 2025 1st-round pick

Scouting director Michael Holmes confirmed that plan to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle. Holmes also mentioned that the Giants plan to play third-round pick Trevor Cohen in center field.

With both picks, they were drawn to above-average contact skills, elite in-zone contact, and low strikeout rates. They appear to be zigging when everyone else is zagging for contact and hit tool. Kilen and Cohen's offensive profile leans heavily on hit-over-power.

This is in sharp contrast to the prevailing mindset in baseball today that favors power while accepting high strikeout rates. Perhaps, the Giants feel that contact and hit tool play better than strikeouts and power at Oracle Park, and they might be right.

For Kilen, shortstop is not a new position. He made appearances at that position in each of the past three seasons in college. In his lone campaign with the University of Tennessee, the 21-year-old prospect saw the bulk of his time at second base. He appeared in 32 games at second base compared to 22 games at shortstop.

Usually, when a player is playing at second base in college or in the lower minors, that is a sign of where his long-term position might be. However, the Giants look to be reversing course by planning to try Kilen out at shortstop.

Kilen has enough range to make the routine plays at shortstop, but there are questions about whether his arm is strong enough for the position. That could lead to a shift to second base down the road. Given that he is lacking in arm strength, it will put a lot of pressure on his ability to stick at shortstop. It also means that third base is likely out of the question. That said, prospects have shown improvement in arm strength upon becoming a pro.

Being a second base-only prospect is a tough profile to fill. Many prospects can do it, but that is usually due to having a standout offensive tool, such as power or plate discipline.

The left-handed bat is coming off a strong college season, slashing .357/.441/.671 with 15 home runs, 46 RBI, and 60 runs in 245 plate appearances. He did see an uptick in power in his final year in college, but struggled during his stints with wood bats in the Cape Cod League. Kilen had more walks (30) than strikeouts (27) this past season.