The one position the SF Giants did not target in the MLB draft

The SF Giants loaded up on pitching and added a handful of infielders in the 2026 MLB draft. However, they did not select a catcher.

The Giants also did not select a shortstop, which is more of a fluid observation. A lot of players are drafted as shortstops or center fielders, but immediately move off of that position when they get up pro ball.

The Giants used eight of their first 11 selections to draft a pitcher. This includes Jackson Flora and a pair of top prep arms in Carson Bolemon and Kaden Waechter.

Interestingly, among the 12 pitchers they selected overall, several of them are already relievers or likely to transition to the bullpen in pro ball. Oftentimes, teams select starters and move them to the bullpen due to a combination of stuff, durability, and control.

The Giants were also the only team to select a pitcher within the first 15 picks. It was a top-heavy draft for position players and they went against the grain in that regard.

SF Giants went against the grain by not selecting a catcher in MLB draft

They also went against the grain by not taking a catcher this year. It was the first year that they haven not taken a backstop in the draft since 2021. That year, they loaded up on pitching and only added a handful of position players. They followed that by drafting three catchers in successive drafts, so maybe a correction of sorts occurs next year.

Many of those catchers have moved off of the position as they moved up the minor league ladder. Drew Cavanaugh is a pleasant exception to this. He was selected in the 17th round of the 2023 draft and made his major league debut earlier this season.

The Giants are not particularly strong on catching depth, especially in the lower minors. While teams do not draft for need, they may lean toward organizational fit if they are deciding between two players with the same draft grade later in the draft.

Of course, that is not the only avenue for organizations to bolster minor league depth. They can leverage the undrafted free agent market to address this need. They already reportedly signed backstop Scott Gell out of Stony Brook University. He had an .824 OPS in 156 plate appearances this season.

In many respects, the Giants had one of the better drafts this year, so this is just a minor detail. It is an interesting detail. Perhaps, if you are at a party and you want to impress your friends, this might be the type of detail you share.

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