SF Giants undrafted lefty pitcher earns Pitcher of the Week honors in the California League

The SF Giants had several notable standout performances last week, including one that was recognized. Lefty pitcher Charlie McDaniel took home California League Pitcher of the Week honors, per a league announcement.

SF Giants undrafted lefty pitcher earns Pitcher of the Week honors in the California League

The Giants faced off against the Fresno Grizzlies last week, winning four games in a six-game series. In the third game of that series, they put up 16 runs in a huge victory.

San Jose has arguably been the Giants' best affiliate this season. They are second in the California League North Division with a 28-20 overall record. The Modesto Nuts have a one-game lead over San Jose.

The roster features several prospects from the 2024 draft class. One notable exception is Walker Martin, the team's second-round pick in 2023. The left-handed bat had a rough introduction to pro ball last year, but he looks much more comfortable at the plate this season. He leads San Jose with eight home runs.

On the pitching side, the rotation is headlined by a handful of 2024 draftees, including Drake George, Hunter Dryden, Greg Farone, and Niko Mazza. While the pitching staff is a bit on the older side, it has done a nice job, as it leads the California League with a 3.35 ERA.

Charlie McDaniel has helped out quite a bit in that regard. The Giants signed him as an undrafted free agent out of Presbyterian College last summer. In four college seasons, he tallied a 5.16 ERA, but this does include a solid 3.80 ERA in his final season last year.

The left-handed pitcher has been a nice, multi-inning arm in San Jose's bullpen. He has recorded a 1.60 ERA, 3.36 FIP, 1.12 WHIP, 8.8 K/9, and a 3.67 SO/W rate across 33.2 frames. This includes a strong outing against the Grizzlies last week, where he put together five shutout innings with six strikeouts against two walks.

On the mound, McDaniel flashes a low-to-mid 90's four-seam fastball with a breaking ball. He does know how to attack hitters in the lower minors, using his breaking ball to neutralize the platoon advantage against right-handed hitters. The 23-year-old hurler pitches away from righties and in the inner-third of the plate against lefties. He has a loose delivery, and the fastball has some riding action, so it is an effective pitch.