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Top middle infield prospect gets nod for best defender in SF Giants organization

He does more than hit
ByJeff Young|
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Mar 25, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; A closeup of a baseball during a break in the action between the San Francisco Giants and the New York Yankees in the sixth inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images
Mar 25, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; A closeup of a baseball during a break in the action between the San Francisco Giants and the New York Yankees in the sixth inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images | Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images

MLB Pipeline highlighted the best defensive prospect in each organization. For the SF Giants, top middle infielder Josuar Gonzalez got the nod.

Top middle infield prospect gets nod for best defender in SF Giants organization

The Giants have quite a few quality defensive middle infielders, making this a tough choice for MLB Pipeline:

"The Giants are overflowing with blue-chip shortstop prospects, and [Josuar] Gonzalez may have both the highest ceiling and the best defensive ability among them"
MLB Piepline on Josuar Gonzalez

Middle infield prospect depth is the strength of the organization at the moment. Gonzalez is joined by Luis Hernández, Jhonny Level, and Gavin Kilen as the top middle infield prospects in the organization. For now, the Giants plan on playing each of these prospects at shortstop, but that will change down the road.

They have a few more reliable defenders lower on the depth chart, including Maui Ahuna, Lonrezo Meola, and Zane Zielinski. Zielinski has looked like a smooth defender with good range in the times I have seen him at shortstop.

Gonzalez and Hernández will begin the year at the Arizona Complex League. They will likely split time at shortstop, with the other taking reps at second base. That season is only about 60 games long, so there is no real lost development by having one play second base for half the season.

One interesting discussion is what the Giants do with Level. He has good range and a strong arm. The consistency is not quite there yet, which is not surprising for a 19-year-old infielder. He has the speed and arm to stick in center field, but that is a conversation for a different day.

Gonzalez joined the Giants for just under $3 million out of the Domincan Republic during the 2025 international signing period. Since then, he has emerged as one of the top prospects in the system, along with being viewed as one of the best prospects in baseball.

The switch-hitter slashed .288/.404/.455 (129 wRC+) with four home runs, 24 RBI, and 52 runs in 228 plate appearances in the Dominican Summer League last summer. This includes 33 steals in 38 chances.

Gonzalez has good range and a strong arm to be able to stick at his position. Plus, he has smooth actions, and should get better with more game reps.

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