SF Giants should gain clarity on a pair of pitching prospects before Opening Day

Spencer Miles and Ryan Watson were selected away by the Toronto Blue Jays and Boston Red Sox in the major league phase of the Rule 5 draft in December. The SF Giants should gain clarity on both pitching prospects before Opening Day.

SF Giants should gain clarity on a pair of pitching prospects before Opening Day

The Giants left Miles and Watson unprotected in the Rule 5 draft, leaving the door open for another team to make a move. They also swung a trade with the Minnesota Twins to acquire young backstop Daniel Susac.

The Twins selected Susac away from the A's, but worked out a trade with San Francisco. He is still bound to the rules that come with being a Rule 5 pick, but he is also likely the frontrunner to be the backup catcher.

The first step for a Rule 5 pick is making the team. The next step is to stick with the team throughout the year. If a player does not remain on the active roster, then they need to be offered back to the original team. That is the common outcome for many Rule 5 picks. If they do stick, then the team retains their rights.

Spencer Miles has battled a handful of injury setbacks since being selected in the fourth round of the 2022 draft. However, he earned an invite to the Arizona Fall League (AFL) in 2025, where he pitched to a 4.15 ERA with 12 strikeouts and one walk in 8.2 frames. Importantly, his fastball sat in the mid-90's, and he displayed a quality cutter and curveball.

The right-handed hurler has pitched to a 4.15 ERA in 8.2 innings this spring. This includes 11 strikeouts and five walks. He is missing a lot of bats, but the control is a work in progress. The Blue Jays will need to weigh whether they can carry Miles on the roster, given their championship aspirations.

On the other hand, Ryan Watson was selected away by the A's. He was traded to the Red Sox, and is still under the Rule 5 guidelines.

Watson pitched to a 4.26 ERA, 11.4 K/9, and a 4.00 SO/W rate in 50.2 innings for the Sacramento River Cats last season. In the context of the Pacific Coast League, these are quality results and a good blend of missing bats while limiting free passes.

The 28-year-old pitcher features a mid-90's four-seam fastball with a pair of breaking balls that sit in the low-to-mid 80's. He has tallied a 5.79 ERA with six strikeouts and three walks in 9.1 innings. There is a good chance that he will be returned to the Giants. The first decision for Rule 5 picks is making the team, and that often comes before Opening Day.

Within the next couple of days, the Giants should have some clarity on Miles and Watson. Even if they make the club to start the year, they can still be returned later on.